Fat Rock Entertainment and Universal Pictures Visual Programming Enter Exclusive Distribution Deal

    LOS ANGELES, June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Fat Rock Entertainment, focused on
 providing children's filmed entertainment, and Universal Pictures Visual
 Programming (UPVP), an acquisition unit of Universal Worldwide Home
 Entertainment (UWHE), announced today a distribution agreement wherein
 Universal will distribute Fat Rock's films worldwide on home video, DVD and
 television.  As part of the agreement, Universal may also distribute Fat
 Rock's films theatrically outside North America and China.  As previously
 announced, the Fat Rock theatrical entertainment platform will distribute
 throughout North America.
     Fat Rock's G-rated motion pictures will be exhibited in all major markets
 nationwide on 1000 to 1500 screens.  Loews Cineplex, Cinemark and Carmike
 theatres will exhibit Fat Rock's films on Saturday and Sunday matinees and
 weekdays during the summer and holidays.  These theatre partners will allow
 Fat Rock Entertainment to become a family entertainment destination 52 weeks a
 year.  Each Fat Rock film is a unique, fun format that will deliver branded
 entertainment and elements of play to get the whole family 'out of their
 seats!'
     The agreement between Universal and Fat Rock Entertainment initially
 covers six films over three years, which includes titles based on several of
 Hasbro's core brands, "Super Soakers", "My Little Pony" and Fat Rock
 properties like "Savanah's Pajamas."
     David Pritchard, founder and CEO of Fat Rock Entertainment, stated, "We're
 thrilled to have a distribution affiliation with Universal which gives us
 another major step in solidifying our innovative business model.  Universal
 has a very successful track record of developing, marketing and distributing
 children's video entertainment.  We anticipate working closely with United
 International Pictures (UIP) to find exhibitors and cross-promotional partners
 in selected territories who will be interested in developing a similar Fat
 Rock theatrical strategy."
     Hugh Rees-Parnall, President, Universal Pictures Visual Programming, said,
 "Universal really understands the kids markets worldwide and we are
 particularly attracted to the upcoming Fat Rock films because they provide a
 dynamic platform to launch a children's franchise."
     Louis Feola, President of Universal Worldwide Home Entertainment, added,
 "We pride ourselves on thinking outside the box and are always looking for
 unique and inventive ways to reach our audience.  Our strategy is to focus on
 brands, specifically children and families, and we feel that Fat Rock's
 original films will be big hits among Universal's global television, video and
 DVD-buying consumers."
 
     About Fat Rock Entertainment
     Fat Rock Entertainment is a film production and distribution company that
 transforms the movie theatre experience into a multi-faceted family
 entertainment event.  Fat Rock Entertainment's initial family films are based
 on a handful of children's toy and game properties.  Fat Rock Entertainment's
 founders have senior management experience at major film studios, theatre
 chains and retail companies.  For more information, please visit
 www.fatrock.net .
 
     About Universal Pictures Visual Programming
     Universal Pictures Visual Programming (UPVP) acquires, develops and
 produces animated and live action television and video projects focused on
 children's and popular culture programming.  Universal Worldwide Home
 Entertainment (UWHE), a unit of Universal Pictures, oversees Universal
 Pictures Visual Programming (UPVP), and Universal Home Entertainment
 Productions (UHEP) as well as Universal Cartoon Studios.
     Universal Pictures is a division of Vivendi UNIVERSAL Entertainment (VUE)
 ( www.universalstudios.com ), the U.S.-based film, television and recreation
 entity of Vivendi Universal, a global media and communications company.
 
     For further information, please contact:  Michael Saltzman or Sharon
 Eisenberg, both of Saltzman Communications, +1-310-271-5789, for Fat Rock
 Entertainment; or Cindy Gardner of Vivendi Universal Entertainment,
 +1-818-777-2581.
 
 

SOURCE  Fat Rock Entertainment; Universal Pictures