ROCKY & BULLWINKLE & FRIENDS GO WIRELESS
iFone Announces Wireless Content Agreement with Bullwinkle Studios
MANCHESTER, U.K. - 4 November, 2004 --- iFone, the global wireless entertainment developer and publisher, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Bullwinkle Studios, a joint venture between Classic Media and Jay Ward Productions, Inc., to develop wireless content for mobile devices based on the legendary animated series Rocky & Bullwinkle & Friends. The new deal includes the territories of Europe, North America, Central America, South America, China, Australia and New Zealand.
Under the terms of the agreement, iFone will create games, screen savers and ring tones based on many of Bullwinkle Studios' beloved animation franchises such as Rocky & Bullwinkle, Boris & Natasha, Sherman & Peabody and Dudley Do-Right.
Rocky & Bullwinkle & Friends, noted for its sharp satire, gained cult status across the world, especially in the United States, where the show originated. Debuting in 1959 as Rocky and His Friends, the show follows the adventures of Rocky, the fast-talking, flying squirrel and his devoted companion Bullwinkle the moose, in their battles against resident villain Boris Badenov and his partner Natasha Fatale.
With the addition of Rocky & Bullwinkle to iFone's portfolio, the company continues its strategy of acquiring top mass-market entertainment brands to address increasing numbers of mobile gamers worldwide. Native content with mass-market appeal such as Rocky & Bullwinkle will also serve to strengthen iFone's position in the North American market, which already knows them for blockbuster titles like Monopoly® and Clue®.
"Rocky & Bullwinkle are well-known and recognized across the globe, and have a very broad demographic appeal. The characters lend themselves brilliantly to a wide variety of mobile gaming genres from puzzle to adventure," stated Morgan O'Rahilly, CEO of iFone. "They will also help to confirm iFone as one of the foremost mobile games publishers for the North American audience."
Leslie Levine, Classic Media's Head of Worldwide Licensing added, "iFone has the skills and expertise needed to create excellent mobile games and entertainment from the Rocky & Bullwinkle franchise. They also have the distribution channels to expose the Rocky & Bullwinkle characters to a global 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, E-Plus, Optimus, Three, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, Mobile One, TCC, Singtel, FarEastone, China Mobile, Smartone, Globe and Dwango 7 among others.
About Bullwinkle Studios and Classic Media
Bullwinkle Studios is a joint venture between Classic Media, the New York-based family entertainment company, and Jay Ward Productions, Inc., producers of Rocky & Bullwinkle, George of the Jungle, Tom Slick and Superchicken, among others.
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, please contact:
Martin Smith
Sonus PR for iFone
TEL: +44 20 7031 0305
Sasha Junk
Classic Media
TEL: +1-212-659-1993