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Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising Expands Family Guy Product Line-up after Impressive Launch at Retail

Business Wire, Feb 3, 2005

CENTURY CITY, Calif. -- New Partners Take-Two Interactive Software and Airborne Entertainment Sign On For An Impressive Campaign To Coincide With New Series Launch This Spring

Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising today announced the expansion of the thriving Family Guy licensing and merchandising program through two new agreements with video game industry giant Take-Two Interactive Software and wireless content leader Airborne Entertainment. Take-Two has the rights to produce all-new video games for multiple platforms under the 2K Games label, while Airborne Entertainment will introduce new mobile phone content that will feature everyone's favorite dysfunctional animated family, The Griffins. The licensing and merchandising program for Family Guy continues to prosper thanks to a fanatical fan base that has contributed to heavy sales of licensed merchandise and incredible DVD sales that have far exceeded expectations with more than 3 million units sold to date.

"Family Guy is totally unique in the licensing business having found its 'sweet spot' the second time around", said Peter Byrne, Executive Vice President of Fox Licensing and Merchandising. "There's an insatiable demand for merchandise currently, but we are taking a very long term view of building Family Guy into a major franchise for the studio on multiple levels".

The new agreement with Take-Two's 2K Games will introduce the Griffins to gamers everywhere with a new video game title for multiple platforms. In the game, being developed as a third person action/adventure, players will take on the role of multiple characters such as Stewie, Brian the Dog, and Peter, the hapless patriarch, as they interact with many of the citizens of Quahog. The Family Guy video game is slated for release in 2006.

"Take-Two has unparalleled experience in reaching what is the core Family Guy demo and we are really excited to be collaborating with them on bringing the Griffins to the gaming community," said Mr. Byrne.

In addition, Fox's deal with Airborne Entertainment will allow fans to download an ever-expanding array of wallpapers, wireless games, applications and animated ringers directly to their mobile phones. Family Guy wireless content will be available this spring in anticipation of the show's re-launch on primetime FOX May 1st. Additional Family Guy products from Airborne Entertainment will be released throughout the year and will reflect the themes and events of specific episodes.

"Airborne Entertainment is at the cutting edge of wireless entertainment and share the true vision of the show. The great thing with wireless is that you can have an on-going dialogue with the consumer, which plays into the relevancy of Family Guy in the everyday lives of its fans," said Mr. Byrne.

With an impressive launch into specialty stores in September '04, the merchandising program has held the No. 1 spot for months on end, reinforcing Fox's commitment to the brand. The initial product launch with licensing partners Gemmy, Kelly Toy, Mezco and Aquarius has established a foundation for Family Guy product at retail as Fox prepares for a more expansive product launch this Spring. The massive licensing and merchandising program on tap will coincide with the new series launch for Family Guy on May 1st, and is expected to be one of the company's largest product blitzes to date. Family Guy products can currently by found in Hot Topic, Borders, Barnes & Noble, Calendar Club, Spencer's and Musicland.

The current Family Guy licensing roster includes:

FAMILY GUY LICENSING & MERCHANDISING PROGRAM PARTNERS

Licensee       Category      Product Description
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Bio-World      Apparel &     Backpacks, bags, beach sandals
 Merchandising  Accessories
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Changes        Apparel &     Men's t-shirts, sweatshirts, boxer
                Accessories   shorts, lounge wear, wrist cuffs,
                              shoelaces, jewelry, belt buckles and
                              wallets, caps, beanies, bags,
                              embroidered shirts

               Gifts/Novelty Candles, lighters, snow domes, floor
                              mats, pens, mouse pads, balls lunch
                              bags, CD holders, notebooks, cups,
                              postcards and keychains
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Headline       Apparel &     Infant/Toddler t-shirts and onesies
 Entertainment  Accessories
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
MZ Berger and  Apparel &     Watches, both analog and digital
 Co.            Accessories
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Pure and       Apparel &     Jewelry
 Simple/        Accessories
Casa D'oro
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Ripple         Apparel &     Jr's. T-shirts, sweatshirts, wallets
 Junction       Accessories  and wrist cuffs
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
SG Footwear    Apparel &     Slippers, novelty footwear and flip flops
                Accessories   for men, women and children
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Icup Inc.      Housewares    Beverageware, shot glasses and shooter,
                              recipe shaker glass, coaster, travel
                              mugs, glass beer mugs and steins
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Betesh         Gift/Novelty  Talking/non-talking standees, room flags
 Group/Baby                   & pennants, wall scrolls & cuddle
 Boom                         pillows
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Bradford       Gift/Novelty  Collectible figurines
 Exchange
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Franco         Gift/Novelty  Bedding, pillows, blankets, towels,
 Manufacturing                placemats
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Hot Properties Gift/Novelty  Magnets, memo boards, pins, and bottle
                              openers
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Kellytoy       Gift/Novelty  Plush, talking plush, beanies, keychains
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Kurt S. Adler  Gift/Novelty  Ornaments, lighting, snow domes,
                              figurines, wall decorations, holders
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
N.J. Croce     Gift/Novelty  Bendable figures, keychains, magnets
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Pacific Direct Gift/Novelty  Talking bottle openers
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Rabbit Tanaka  Gift/Novelty  Lighting, lamps, snow domes
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Rix Products   Gift/Novelty  Tin coasters, playing cards in
                              collectible tin,
                             waste basket, tin storage boxes, tin
                              license plates, tin license plate holder
                              and food trays
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
The Rug Barn   Gift/Novelty  Tapestry: pillows, blankets, wall
                              decorations
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
VIP Limited    Gift/Novelty  T-shirts, hats, key chains, mugs,
 Partnership                  photographs, script book, posters,
                              watches, mouse pads, sweatshirts
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Aquarius       Social        Wall calendars, posters
 Entertainment  Expressions
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Kalan, LP      Social        Party goods: tin signs, die cut memo
                Expressions   pads, gift bag, party packs, balloons,
                              and tablecloth
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Poster         Social        Posters
 Services       Expressions
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
A&A Global     Toys/Candy    Stickers and tattoos, Toys: figurines,
 Industries                   pencil huggers, suction cup danglers,
                              yo-yos, balls, mugs
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Boston America Toys/Candy    Candy, gum, gummy candy
 Corp.
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Gemmy          Toys/Candy    Animatronic figures
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Kid Kraze      Toys/Candy    Inflatable furniture
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Inkworks       Toys/Candy    Trading cards
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Mezco Toys     Toys/Candy    Action figures
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Nanco          Toys/Candy    Plush talking and non-talking, plush key
                              chains and clip-ons, beanbag toys, vinyl
                              inflatables, novelty pillows, book
                              markers, suction cup toys
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Rocket USA,    Toys/Candy    Cubicle signs, big key wacky wind ups,
 Inc.                         tin wind ups, tin litho dime banks, and
                              wind chimes
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Harper         Publishing    Paperback novelty format book
 Entertainment
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Tokyo Pop      Publishing    Graphic novels
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
AcmeAnimation  Art           Original & limited edition
 Archives
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Paul Beress    Art           Original & limited edition
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------

 

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