Spin Master and Zodiak Kids' Ground-breaking Kids Series, Redakai, to Air on Cartoon Network in the U.S.

NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As a follow-up to the hit entertainment property and cultural phenomenon Bakugan, Spin Master Ltd. will once again bring its all-new boys action property, Redakai: Conquer The Kairu to Cartoon Network. A co-production between Spin Master and global TV production giant Zodiak Kids/Marathon Media, the televised series will debut on the network in the U.S. in the second half of 2011.

A 52 x 26' animated series, co-produced by Zodiak Kids/Marathon Media (Totally Spies, Rekkit Rabbit, Gormiti) and Spin Master (multi-award-winning boys' action hit Bakugan Battle Brawlers), Redakai: Conquer the Kairu is an animated kids adventure series starring Ky, a 15-year-old student of ancient martial arts who embarks on an incredible quest to find the Kairu, a primordial alien energy force. Helped by his friends Maya and Boomer, Ky travels the globe looking for the Kairu to protect it from his extraterrestrial teenage opponents, with the hope that one day he will  become the greatest Kairu warrior of them all – a Redakai.

With its unrivalled experience as a children's entertainment company, Spin Master will roll out a highly original and innovative trading card game and line of toys soon after the series' broadcast debut.

"Spin Master really tapped into what boys love with Bakugan, and we've packed even more action, fun, and innovation into Redakai," says Jennifer Dodge, Executive Producer at Spin Master Entertainment. "Cartoon Network is the premiere destination for such a boys adventure series and we can't wait to see the impact Redakai is going to have once it finally hits this summer."

"Partnering with Spin Master on a property of this magnitude has been an incredibly exciting experience for us," adds Vincent Chalvon Demersay and David Michel of Zodiak Kids (Marathon Media). "With its great quest narrative and a superb animation quality, we wanted to make sure that Redakai would be a compelling adventure series that would stand out on its own."

This new boys action series targeted at kids aged 6-11 is being unveiled for the first time at the American International Toy Fair in New York, Feb. 13-16.  

Cartoon Network Enterprises, the licensing and merchandising arm of the network, will serve as the exclusive licensing agent for Redakai in the U.S. and Canada. Zodiak Kids/Marathon Media holds worldwide television distribution rights to the series and all licensing and merchandising rights, excluding North America.

Spin Master Ltd.

A multi-category children's entertainment company since 1994, Spin Master has been designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing consumer products for children around the world and is recognized as a global growth leader within the toy industry.  Spin Master is best known for such popular brands as boy's action phenomena and 2010 Boys Toy of the Year winner Bakugan Battle Brawlers™, and award-winning brands Air Hogs®, Aquadoodle™, Tech Deck™, Moon Sand™, Liv™, and Zoobles™. The company has also marked an entry into children's media with the launch of Spin Master Entertainment, a subsidiary focusing on the design, development and production of television and other media properties.  Spin Master employs over 900 people with offices in Toronto, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Hong Kong, Mexico, Munich, and central Europe.  For additional information please visit: www.spinmaster.com.

Zodiak Kids/Marathon Media

Marathon Media is one of France's biggest animation producers, and one of the world's leading cartoon studios. Based in Paris, the company is managed by Vincent Chalvon Demersay and David Michel. Amongst its portfolio of international successes are Rekkit Rabbit, Gormiti, Spiez, Monster Buster Club, Martin Mystery, Team Galaxy, Marsupilami, and of course the smash hit series Totally Spies! Each brand's extraordinary track record in TV extends into merchandising, with activity across categories such as toys, home entertainment, multimedia, stationery, publishing and many more.

Marathon Media is part of Zodiak Kids, the brand new division which will see all of the Zodiak Media Group's kids production and distribution entities combine under one united banner. Zodiak Kids incorporates Zodiak Media Group's dedicated kid's production companies: Marathon Media; Tele Images; Zodiak Active Kids Entertainment Division and The Foundation as well as Zodiak Rights' Kids & Family TV sales division. The newly formed Zodiak Kids production companies had a combined yearly (2010) output of over 350 episodes of brand new programming.

Cartoon Network

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 99 million U.S. homes and 166 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for youth and families. Nightly from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animated and live-action series for young adults 18-34.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

SOURCE Spin Master Ltd.