Mattel (NYSE: MAT) and Lions Gate Family Entertainment (LGFE), a division of Lions Gate Entertainment (NYSE: LGF) Toronto, today announced two new 2006 Barbie™ direct-to-DVD titles, The Barbie™ Diaries and Barbie™ Fairytopia™ Mermaidia™, with LGFE being awarded domestic distribution rights.
Moving beyond the fantasy worlds of princesses and fairies for the first time, the new Barbie Entertainment release, The Barbie™ Diaries, will feature Barbie™ with a new look living everyday high school experiences with her best friends. LGFE will also release Barbie™ Entertainment's first sequel, Barbie™ Fairytopia™ Mermaidia™, following the enormously successful 2005 release of Barbie™ Fairytopia™. The announcements were made today by Lions Gate's Anne Parducci, Executive Vice President, Family Entertainment and Marketing, and Steve Ross, Mattel's Senior Vice President of Worldwide Entertainment and Business Development. This brings the total number of Barbie™-branded releases distributed by LGFE to eight films.
For the first time in a Barbie™ movie, The Barbie™ Diaries features Barbie™ in the real world with a new, distinctive toon-shaded CGI animated look and a hip, contemporary soundtrack that girls will love. As the new school year begins, Barbie™ is hoping her sophomore year will bring some exciting changes. With a special diary and charm bracelet, Barbie™ finds the courage to truly be herself and learns valuable lessons about friendship, self-confidence and even romance. The Barbie™ Diaries premieres on DVD in January 2006. In addition, The Barbie™ Diaries release will be supported with an entire line of dolls, electronic toys and consumer products -- all at retail in early spring.
"Barbie is one of those magical properties that is able to cut through the clutter and reach its core demographic," said Parducci. "Young girls have felt an association with Barbie for decades and we believe the timing is perfect to set this latest title in the Barbie video franchise in a real world setting. Fans have become accustomed to seeing her as a positive influence in a host of fantasy worlds, and with The Barbie Diaries, her ability to deliver positive messages will continue in an all-new setting."
Barbie™ Fairytopia™ Mermaidia™ marks the first sequel in the Barbie™ video franchise and picks up where Barbie™ Fairytopia™ leaves off. This new film stars Barbie™ as Elina™, a young fairy who must sacrifice her newly-won wings for a mermaid tail during her quest to save the underwater prince. Barbie™ Fairytopia™ Mermaidia™ premieres on DVD in March 2006, the same month that the all-new live, theatrical stage show, "Barbie™ Live in Fairytopia™," begins its U.S. tour. Girls will be able to experience the whimsical wonder of Merfairies™, Sea Butterflies™ and other beautiful creatures from the world of Barbie™ Fairytopia™ Mermaidia™ with a complete, all-new line of dolls, other toys and consumer products based on the movie and in stores in late 2005.
"Barbie™ Fairytopia™ was a resounding success for us and the entire franchise will receive even greater exposure now with the launch of the title's live stage show and the anticipation of this new adventure," said Parducci.
"We're excited to grow our Barbie Entertainment franchise with LGFE, who has proven to be a tremendous partner, and, with The Barbie Diaries™, introduce Barbie™ in a new format placing her in the real world with her high school friends and their dreams and aspirations," said Ross.
Since 2000, Barbie™ films have collectively sold more than 13 million units domestically and more than 26 million worldwide (Universal Pictures International distributes to international markets). Most recently, LGFE and Mattel Entertainment released the fifth animated film in the Barbie™ Princess franchise, Barbie™ and the Magic of Pegasus, which hit stores on September 20, 2005.
About Lions Gate Entertainment
Lions Gate is the premier independent producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content. Its prestigious and prolific library is a valuable source of stable and recurring revenue, and it serves as a foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lions Gate brand name is synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.
About Mattel
Mattel, Inc., (NYSE: MAT) (www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products, including Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever introduced. The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Hot Wheels®, Matchbox®, American Girl® and Tyco® R/C, as well as Fisher-Price brands (www.fisher-price.com), including Little People®, Rescue Heroes®, Power Wheels® and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs more than 25,000 people in 42 countries and sells products in more than 150 nations throughout the world. The Mattel vision is to be the world's premier toy brands -- today and tomorrow.
BARBIE and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by Mattel, Inc. © 2005 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
CONTACTS:
For Lions Gate Family Entertainment:
Sarah Greenberg/ Jodie Magid Adam Fenton/Lauren McCabe
Lions Gate Family Entertainment Bender/Helper Impact
310-255-3856/ 212-386-6885 212-689-6360
For Mattel:
Lauren Bruksch/Michelle Llorin
310-252-4612/ 310-252-3520
SOURCE: Lions Gate Home Entertainment
CONTACT: Sarah Greenberg, +1-310-255-3856, or Jodie Magid,
+1-212-386-6885, both of Lions Gate Family Entertainment; or Adam Fenton, or
Lauren McCabe, both of Bender/Helper Impact, +1-212-689-6360, for Lions Gate
Home Entertainment; or Lauren Bruksch, +1-310-252-4612, or Michelle Llorin,
+1-310-252-3520, both for Mattel