Microsoft and 4Kids Entertainment Form Alliance
Entertainment Leaders Team Up to Create Children’s Property
For Release 8:00 a.m. ET
Jan. 17, 2006
REDMOND, Wash. and NEW YORK (Jan. 17, 2006) - Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) announced today an alliance with 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE) - the children's entertainment company whose expertise in brand positioning has led to such powerhouse properties as Yu-Gi-Oh!®, Pokémon® and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles® - to develop a unique children's entertainment property.
Under the agreement, 4Kids Entertainment will serve as the licensing agent for a forthcoming children's entertainment property on a global basis for Microsoft Game Studios. The exclusive representation agreement encompasses all broadcast, home video, music and merchandise licensing rights.
Alfred R. Kahn, Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment, said: "We are thrilled to serve as the partner of choice and act as the vehicle for Microsoft to broaden its appeal among a more mainstream market focusing on children and family entertainment. We are confident our strong track record in developing integrated marketing and merchandising programs designed specifically for kids will enhance the future success of Microsoft Game Studios."
Ed Ventura, director of Franchise Development at Microsoft said: "We are excited to explore the opportunities our collective efforts can create when we combine 4Kids's proven expertise in bringing engaging children's properties to life with Microsoft's leadership and knowledge of interactive entertainment."
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox® video game system, the Windows® operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games), including such franchises as "Age of Empires®", "Flight Simulator" and "Zoo Tycoon®"; Xbox (http://www.xbox.com), including such franchises as "Halo®," "Project Gotham Racing®" and "MechAssault®"; and MSN Games (http://www.games.msn.com), the official games channel for the MSN® network and home to such hits as "Bejeweled" and "Hexic®."
About 4Kids Entertainment
Headquartered in New York City with international offices in London, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE) is a global provider of children's entertainment and merchandise licensing. 4Kids, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, provides domestic and international merchandise licensing; product development; television, film, music and home video production and distribution; media planning and buying; and Web site development. For further information, please visit the Company's Web site at www.4KidsEntertainment.com.
About 4Kids TV
4Kids TVTM, 4Kids Entertainment's four hours of children's programming broadcast Saturday mornings on FOX, features popular animatedseries for both boys and girls including Magical DoReMiTM, Winx ClubTM, Bratz®, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles®, Sonic XTM and G.I. Joe Sigma 6TM. For more information, visit www.4Kids.TV.
The information contained in this press release, other than historical information, consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These statements may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors beyond the Company's control, including general economic conditions, consumer spending levels, competition from toy companies, motion picture studios and other licensing companies, the uncertainty of public response to the Company's properties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations.
Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
For more information, 4Kids Entertainment:
Todd Fromer/Michael Cimini
(212) 896-1215/(212) 896-1233
tfromer@kcsa.com/mcimini@kcsa.com
For more information, press only, Microsoft:
Jen Martin, Microsoft, (425) 722-5319, jem@microsoft.com
Katie Goldberg, Edelman, (212) 819-4842, katie.goldberg@edelman.com