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AKC
ENTERS LICENSING AGREEMENT WITH 4KIDS ENTERTAINMENT FOR
CHILDREN'S TOYS AND QUICK-SERVICE- RESTAURANT PROMOTIONS
New
York, NY - New York, NY - The American Kennel Club (AKC)
has signed a three-year agreement with 4Kids Entertainment,
Inc. (NYSE: KDE) to serve as the organization's exclusive licensing
representative in all categories of children's toys and quick-service
(or fast food) restaurant promotions.
4Kids Entertainment represents such well-known brands as Pokemon,
Cabbage Patch Kids, Nintendo and Yu-Gi-Oh! 4Kids also provides
television programming, including Fox's Saturday morning children's
block. One of the priorities of the 4Kids' licensing campaign
will be the creation of a plush program featuring AKC-recognized
breeds of purebred dogs.
"The agreement with 4Kids reflects our increased emphasis
on building equity in our brand and complements our efforts
to foster awareness and understanding of the AKC and its programs
with the general public," said Dennis Sprung, AKC Vice
President of Corporate Relations. "As a leader in children's
and family licensing and entertainment, 4Kids Entertainment
is an ideal partner to help us deepen the public's appreciation
and interest in purebred dogs."
"We are delighted to be working with such a prestigious
organization," said Al Kahn, Chairman and CEO of 4Kids
Entertainment. "4Kids looks forward to developing unique
and entertaining products that will communicate to children
nationwide about responsible dog ownership and educate them
about the many breeds of dogs registered by the AKC."
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The
AKC, founded in 1884, is one of the oldest sports-governing
organizations. It maintains the largest registry of purebred
dogs in the world, is responsible for overseeing the governance
of the sport of purebred dogs, and keeps records of competitive
results. For further information about AKC and the sport of
purebred dogs, visit www.akc.org or contact the Communications
Department at 212-696-8343
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; television, film,
music and home video production and distribution; media buying
and planning; product development; and Web site development.
For further information, please visit the company's Web site
at www.4KidsEntertainment.com.
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