Warner Bros. Consumer Products Unleashes Unprecedented Line-Up Of Theatrical Licensing Opportunities

(April 9, 2001 – Burbank, CA) – With the magic of Harry Potter, the mystery of Scooby-Doo, the punch of The Powerpuff Girls and the irreverence of the Looney Tunes, Warner Bros. Consumer Products brings an unprecedented line-up of theatrical licenses to Licensing 2001 International. “We have always been proud of the breadth, scope and quality of the brands we represent. This year, we are especially pleased to bring a wonderful mix of opportunities to the licensing community,” said Dan Romanelli, President, Warner Bros. Worldwide Consumer Products. “Whether it’s the cowardly canine in Scooby-Doo, the pint-size powerhouses in The Powerpuff Girls, the magical moments in Harry Potter or that ‘wascally wabbit’ Bugs Bunny, Warner Bros. continues to build some of the strongest entertainment brands in the world.” Located at booths #3019 and #3219, Warner Bros. Consumer Products is one of the largest exhibitors at this year’s Licensing 2001 International. The show is being held June 12-14 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” Harry Potter has grown into a worldwide literary phenomenon and as author J.K. Rowling works on the fifth book in the series, Warner Bros. Pictures continues production of the much-anticipated feature film adaptation of the first magical book, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” stars 11-year-old Daniel Radcliffe (“The Tailor of Panama,” BBC TV's “David Copperfield”) in the title role, with newcomer’s 10-year-old Emma Watson and 12-year-old Rupert Grint as Harry's friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, respectively. The film will be released worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, beginning with the U.S. and the U.K. on November 16, 2001. The film is directed by Chris Columbus (“Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Home Alone,” “Stepmom”) and produced by David Heyman (“Juice,” “Daytrippers”). In addition to Chris Columbus, Mark Radcliffe (“Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Stepmom,” “Home Alone 2”), Michael Barnathan (“Stepmom,” “Nine Months”) and Duncan Henderson (“The Perfect Storm,” “Outbreak,” “Home Alone 2”) are executive producers. Warner Bros. Consumer Products licensees worldwide including Mattel, Hasbro, LEGO and EA are set to fully support the film’s launch later this year. As part of the Warner Bros. Consumer Products commitment to evolve Harry Potter into a long-term brand, the worldwide retail strategy for Harry Potter merchandise is being carefully controlled and limited. The first available Harry Potter licensed products based upon the first book (“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”) debuted in Fall 2000 at department, specialty, gift and book stores. With four books in the series thus far, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books have been sold in over 115 countries and translated into more than 40 languages. More than 80 million copies have been published worldwide. Scooby-Doo In Summer 2002, everyone’s favorite crime-fighting, cowardly canine comes to life in the first-ever, live-action film based on “Scooby-Doo.” The film stars Freddie Prinze Jr. (“She’s All That”) as ringleader Fred; Sarah Michelle Gellar (“Cruel Intentions,” TV’s “Buffy The Vampire Slayer”) as Daphne; Matthew Lillard (“Scream”) as Shaggy; and Linda Cardellini (TV’s “Freaks and Geeks”) as Velma. In addition to a fully integrated theatrical marketing campaign, promotional partners and a soundtrack, Warner Bros. Consumer Products is developing a comprehensive licensing and merchandising program to fully support this live-action adaptation of the classic show. New video and DVD releases continue to bring Scooby-Doo to fans around the world. In March 2001, Warner Home Video released “Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School” on video and “Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island” and “Scooby-Doo and the Witch’s Ghost” on DVD. In August 2001, “Scooby-Doo’s Spookiest Tales,” a Halloween compilation will be released on video and DVD. In October 2001, the all-new, animated direct-to-video movie, “Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase” will be released exclusively on video and DVD. Major promotional partners will tie-in and custom products will include activity books, interactive games and a board game. Scooby-Doo continues to be a fashion trendsetter in 2001 and is supported at retail worldwide and consumers of all ages are attracted to the retro styling of this forever-hip brand. The Powerpuff Girls The world’s first female kindergarten super-heroes, The Powerpuff Girls, will pack a punch in Summer 2002, when they take on the silver screen in their very first theatrically-animated feature film, produced by Cartoon Network Studios and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film’s release will be supported by a comprehensive marketing campaign including major promotional partners and events, as well as a complete licensing and merchandising program from Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “Saving the world before bedtime,” Blossom, Buttercup and Bubbles are three little girls created from sugar, spice and everything nice, combined with a secret ingredient, Chemical X. These cute-as-a-button super heroes guard the city of Townsville against a colorful gallery of villains. Created by Craig McCracken, “The Powerpuff Girls” animated series airs 13 times per week on Cartoon Network in the U.S., and in more than 145 countries worldwide. All four Powerpuff Girls home videos and two DVDs released in 2000 have made the Top 10 Kids Video Billboard charts. Four new Powerpuff Girls videos and two DVDs, featuring never-before-seen episodes, will be released in 2001 (April and October). The DVDs will include The Powerpuff Girls music videos, interviews with Craig McCracken, the original Powerpuff Girls short, interactive games and more. Rhino will be releasing “The City of Soundsville,” a CD featuring techno-dance selections inspired by The Powerpuff Girls, in August 2001. Rhino is also releasing a book and tape in April 2001. In November 2001, Bay Area Multimedia will premiere The Powerpuff Girls video games for Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 2, Game Cube and N64. Over 10 million Powerpuff Girls books were sold in th U.S. alone in 2000. Scholastic will release 27 new Powerpuff Girls titles in 2001 and a Powerpuff Girls Book Club will launch in Fall 2001. Golden Books will launch 8 new coloring titles and activity books in 2001. Publishers around the world are also supporting The Powerpuff Girls including Ediciones B (Spain), Gallimard Juenesse SA (France), Editorial Norma (Pan Latin), Daniel R.I.D. (Israel) and Play Press (Italy). Additionally, in 2001 Cartoon Network will continue their on-air and print advertising campaign supporting the consumer products line with a teen and tween target campaign featuring several female extreme athletes wearing The Powerpuff Girls merchandise. Cartoon Network’s “The Powerpuff Girls,” continue to enjoy worldwide popularity on television and at retail. A strong licensee base has been established around the world in all categories, including top promotional partners such as Subway, Pepsi, Delta and Kodak. The property will be further supported by hip and trendy image campaigns in 2001 both on-air (MTV and WB) and in print (Seventeen, Jump, YM and Girl Magazine). The fashionable brand is flexible, to keep up with trends, but also has the core brand attributes that are timeless--girl power, cuteness and fun. Looney Tunes Looney Tunes continues its reign as one of the world’s most popular brands, with lead hare Bugs Bunny voted “America’s Favorite Animated Character” by People Magazine’s Poll of the Century. Looney Tunes characters continue to have nearly 100% awareness in all age groups in the United States and are among the most well-liked cartoon characters in the world. The Looney Tunes will take their irreverence to the extreme in Spring 2001 as they sponsor a large-scale extreme sports and music festival. The event will feature professionals from skateboarding, BMX and aggressive inline skating as well as an interactive skate park. Kids and professional athletes will be able to interact on the same apparatus with a backdrop of music, video games, dancing and other activities. Four, 30-minute segments of the event will air on ESPN and espn2 in the U.S. and in 180 countries around the world. In October 2001, the United States Postal Service rounds out its successful Looney Tunes stamp program with the launch of the final in a series of memorable Looney Tunes stamps, Porky Pig – “That’s All Folks.” The stamp issuance will kick-off National Stamp Collecting Month and will be backed by comprehensive public relations efforts. Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Sylvester and Tweety have also been honored on U.S. postage stamps. For the second year in a row, the Looney Tunes have joined forces with Rollerblade for the Playlife Grandprix -- one of Europe’s most respected “freesports” events. The competition makes stops in 8 European cities (Rome, Paris, Eindhoven, Zurich, Spain, Berlin, Vienna and St. Moritz) and brings top professional in-line skaters together with amateurs. The Looney Tunes will also be part of skate clinics that are being held in roughly 30 additional cities throughout the region. With Warner Bros. Consumer Products leading the way with national promotions and event-linked competitions, as well as full support from Cartoon Network with on-air trailers and promotions, the Looney Tunes are going to the extreme across Europe in 2001. The Looney Tunes brand is comprehensively supported by worldwide publishing, music, interactive, online, home video, advertising and branded food/beverages. Looney Tunes brand flavored milks, first distributed in China and now the U.S., have been well-received by consumers all over the world. Additionally, Warner Bros. Consumer Products Publishing and Jieli Publishing House recently launched the first series of Looney Tunes storybooks ever to be published in China. Fans around the world are staying tuned--Looney-tuned--for more news about a feature film in the works for 2003. Warner Bros. Consumer Products is a division of Warner Bros., an AOL Time Warner Company, and is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world. # # #