Cartoon Network Names Mattel Master Toy Licensee

    NEW YORK, June 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Cartoon Network's worldwide consumer
 products division Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) today announced an
 exclusive, long-term global partnership with the world's leading toy
 company, Mattel, Inc. (NYSE:   MAT), for a multi-year, multi-property deal.
 The master toy license agreement covers original Cartoon Network properties
 for the 6 to 11 age group and also carries a first-look option on all newly
 created original series and programming.
     "We are pleased to be aligning the Cartoon Network brand with one of
 the world's largest and most respected toy companies, setting the stage for
 great success in the all important toy and games category," said David
 Levy, President of Turner Entertainment Sales and Marketing. "We've always
 had a very strong relationship with Mattel as an advertiser and now we are
 extending that into consumer products. This will enhance the brands of both
 companies by combining our assets as a leading entertainment company with
 their expertise in the global toy market."
     "We're confident that combining Cartoon Network's strength in creating
 original, quality programming with Mattel's expertise in developing
 innovative products will engage kids in new ways," said Neil Friedman,
 President of Mattel Brands. "By leveraging the Cartoon Network brand as
 well as their original content, we're opening up a whole new type of
 creative and licensing partnership."
     Under the agreement, Mattel will have licensing rights to multiple toy
 and games categories including vehicles, action figures, playsets,
 role-play, board games, puzzles, and youth electronics items for the
 Cartoon Network brand as well as shows including Fosters Home for Imaginary
 Friends, The Powerpuff Girls, Camp Lazlo, Ed, Edd n Eddy, The Grim
 Adventures of Billy & Mandy, the newly launched My Gym Partner's a Monkey
 and The Life & Times of Juniper Lee. Existing relationships for other
 original series will remain unaffected by the deal.
     In 2007, the first product lines to come to market under the agreement
 will be toys based on one of Cartoon Network's most successful series, the
 Emmy(R)-winning Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, created by Craig
 McCracken, the visionary behind The Powerpuff Girls. Products for Ed, Edd n
 Eddy, Camp Lazlo and The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy will also debut
 in 2007.
     Mattel, Inc., is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and
 marketing of toys and family products. 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.
     Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE), the global branding and
 merchandising arm of Cartoon Network, is charged with building consumer
 product franchises for Cartoon Network, its brands and characters from the
 channel's growing library of award-winning original programming. The
 division currently offers consumer product programs for an array of marquee
 animation franchises including Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Ben 10,
 The Powerpuff Girls, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi, My Gym Partner is
 a Monkey, Camp Lazlo, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, Adult Swim
 and more.
     Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 89
 million U.S. homes and 160 countries around the world, is Turner
 Broadcasting System, Inc.'s ad-supported cable service offering the best in
 original, acquired and classic animated entertainment for kids and
 families. Overnight from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. (ET, PT) Sunday-Thursday, Cartoon
 Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination
 showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults 18-34.
     Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major
 producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading
 provider of programming for the basic cable industry.
 
 

SOURCE Cartoon Network