LASSIE, CASPER THE FRIENDLY GHOST, THE LONE RANGER AND MR. MAGOO COME TO WIRELESS
iFone Announces Wireless Content Agreement with Classic Media for Several Popular Movie and TV Brands
MANCHESTER, U.K. - 11 November, 2004 -- Some of the world's most famous classic movie and television stars, including Lassie, Casper the Friendly Ghost, The Lone Ranger, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, Little Lulu, Hot Stuff and Roger Ramjet are coming to wireless. Through a new licensing agreement with Classic Media, iFone, the global wireless entertainment developer and publisher, will develop a wide variety of wireless services and content including games, screensavers and ring tones based on these popular entertainment icons. The new deal includes the territories of Europe, North America, Central America, South America, China, Australia and New Zealand.
"We are incredibly excited about acquiring these licences," stated Morgan O'Rahilly, CEO of iFone "All of the characters have global recognition and appeal, attracting a wide demographic and lending themselves to a broader spectrum of mobile entertainment that allows us to reach further than the mobile gaming market. Additionally, the U.S. heritage of the franchises will confirm iFone's entrance in the U.S. market."
iFone has already successfully brought many popular brands to the mobile gaming industry including Tetris®, Monopoly®, Battleship® and, most recently, LemmingsTM.
"We are very pleased to be working with iFone in this venture," said Leslie Levine, Classic Media's Head of Global Licensing. "We are confident that iFone has the production, design and creative capabilities to bring our characters to a mobile audience."
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About iFone
iFone is a global leader in wireless entertainment, specialising in the development, production and publishing of entertainment content for current and future mobile devices. The company was founded in April 2000 and currently has content available on over 40 wireless devices in Java, Brew, iMode Java, SymbianOS and MS Mobile. iFone has a global distribution network live in over 35 countries worldwide with over 65 network operators, all major handset manufacturers, retail channels and entertainment portals which include partners such as Vodafone, Orange, O2, T-Mobile, Telefonica, Bouygues Telecom, KPN, Optimus, Three, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, Mobile One, TCC, FarEastone, Smartone, Globe and Dwango 7 among others.
About Classic Media
Classic Media manages some of the world's most recognizable family properties across all media including feature film, television, home video and consumer products. The company's extensive library features a diverse collection of popular animated and live-action characters such as: Casper the Friendly Ghost, Mr. Magoo, Richie Rich, Peter Cottontail, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Lone Ranger, Lassie, Underdog, Little Lulu, pat the bunny and Lamb Chop. For more information on Classic Media, visit us online at www.classicmedia.tv.
For more information, please contact:
Martin Smith
Sonus PR for iFone
TEL: +44 20 7031 0305
Sasha Junk
Classic Media
TEL: +1-212-659-1993