The Jim Henson Company Appoints Mindshapes to Develop Interactive Educational Entertainment for Pajanimals and Sid the Science Kid

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jim Henson Company, world-renowned family entertainment producer and distributor, has announced a partnership with Mindshapes, a leading kids' mobile learning company. Under the deal, Mindshapes will create "Appisodes" based on The Jim Henson Company's popular current preschool series "Sid the Science Kid" and "Pajanimals" as well as content for new Henson properties that will be announced later this year. These appisodes will feature stories, games, and learn and play activities, as well as animated video and music content for a fun kid-friendly experience. By weaving in the shows' educational and enriching themes, the appisodes will promote deeper engagement and interaction with popular Jim Henson Company branded characters.  

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The first product, Sid the Science Kid's Slide to the Side Appisode, will be available beginning in April 2013, following the premiere of the new feature Sid the Science Kid: The Movie, premiering on PBS KIDS on March 25 (check local listings), and will coincide with the release of the movie on DVD and in iTunes. Later in the year will see the release of an appisode featuring the Pajanimals, the popular musical series that airs every night on 24-hour preschool channel Sprout and on the NBC KIDS weekend block.

Melissa Segal, executive vice president, Global Consumer Products for The Jim Henson Company said: "We recognize the importance of delivering a quality experience to kids that fits into their lifestyles and allows them to engage with our characters not just on TV and on DVD, but also on the iPad. In Mindshapes, we have a partner who is not only a leader in digital media but also has a keen understanding of how to engage our young audience so that they are learning and having fun."  

"Henson's wealth of experience in creating entertainment that kids love and parents trust makes them a perfect fit for Mindshapes," said Nina Pustilnik, co-CEO of Mindshapes. "We look forward to collaborating with them as we expand our digital content offerings from stories to more active play and learn experiences."

About The Jim Henson Company
The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 50 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. Best known as creators of the world famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Recent credits include the Emmy®-nominated "Sid the Science Kid," "Dinosaur Train," "Wilson & Ditch: Digging America" and "Pajanimals." Features include "The Dark Crystal," "Labyrinth," "MirrorMask," and "Unstable Fables" and television productions include "Fraggle Rock" and the sci-fi cult series "Farscape."

With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and postproduction facilities. Independently owned and operated by the five adult children of founder Jim Henson, the Company is also home to Jim Henson's Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry's top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state-of-the-art and vintage equipment. The Company's Henson Alternative brand has recently launched the national tour of "Stuffed and Unstrung," a live puppet improvisational show named one of the top 10 "Best Stage Shows of 2010" by Entertainment Weekly. Visit henson.com, join us on facebook.com/hensoncompany, and follow us at twitter.com/hensonparents.

About Mindshapes
Mindshapes is a leading creator of mobile learning and fun applications for kids. The company was founded by veterans of the gaming, entertainment and mobile industries, and has offices in London, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Mindshapes is used by approximately 300,000 families per month, and has released several award-winning kids' apps for iPhone and iPad, including its flagship storytelling app, Magic Town, which has been downloaded in more than 190 countries with more than one million stories read since its June 2012 launch. For more information, visit www.mindshapes.com.

SOURCE Mindshapes