Corpus Resources PLC Regulatory News (COR)

25 Jul 2005 07:00

Chorion PLC25 July 2005 Chorion Acquires Silver Lining Productions Acquisition brings The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Max & Ruby, Olivia and others into Chorion's stable of classic children's brands London 25th July 2005 - Chorion PLC, a leading owner of classic literary-basedbrands and content, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Silver LiningProductions Limited, a New York-based television production and merchandisingbusiness. Through the acquisition, Chorion adds a portfolio of film, TV and merchandisingrights from such contemporary children's authors as Ian Falconer (Olivia), EricCarle (The Very Hungry Caterpillar), Rosemary Wells (Max & Ruby) and BabetteCole (Princess Smartypants). The combination of Chorion's classic children's properties, such as Noddy and MrMen, and Silver Lining's contemporary children's properties, all based on theworks of bestselling authors, brings together an array of characters that appealto children of all ages. Most importantly, all of the characters are alreadyestablished around the world as the result of successful internationalpublishing programmes. An additional advantage is that the acquisition will strengthen Chorion'sposition in the US, following the recent launch of Make Way for Noddy on PBS.Equally, Chorion's experience and presence in Europe and Asia will greatlyassist the growth of Silver Lining's brands around the world. The New York based co-founders of Silver Lining, Amory Millard and Diana Manson,join the Chorion senior management team and will continue to undertake thedevelopment and production of the Silver Lining properties whilst the newlyexpanded Chorion team will bring their combined expertise to bear on theenlarged portfolio. Financial terms of the acquisition are undisclosed. Chorion expects theacquisition to be broadly earnings neutral in the first full year. Chorion Chief Executive Nicholas James said: "Silver Lining has focused on acquiring and developing publishing propertiesthat have become contemporary classics. It has an exceptional track recordinternationally as a company of innovation and creativity. Our two teams andbrand portfolios are a perfect fit. "The talents of the Silver Lining co-founders in both television and licensingwill be tremendous assets for Chorion. They will enable us to bring more brandsto market more quickly at a consistently high standard." Silver Lining Co-founder Amory Millard said: "We are delighted that Silver Lining is being acquired by a company which offersso much to our authors and their brilliant properties. It will enable us torealize the goals that we have been pursuing since the company's inception." Enquiries please contact :Andrew Sholl, Portland+44 (020) 7404 5344 Photos are available at www.vismedia.co.uk Notes to Editors 1. Chorion (LSE: COR) is a leading owner and manager of classic literary-basedbrands. Its foremost properties include Enid Blyton's Noddy and Famous Five,Roger Hargreaves' Mr. Men and Little Miss series, Agatha Christie's HerculePoirot and Miss Marple, Georges Simenon's Inspector Maigret and RaymondChandler's Philip Marlowe. Visit www.chorion.co.uk. 2. SILVER LINING PRODUCTIONS BACKGROUND The properties : * Eric Carle is the creator of more than 70 children's bookswith sales of over 65 million copies worldwide. Carle's most iconic book, TheVery Hungry Caterpillar, has sold one copy per minute, day and night, somewherein the world since first published in 1969. • Ian Falconer's Olivia is an international publishingphenomenon, with 2.5 million copies sold in 21 languages since its first releasein October 2000. A television series is in development. • Rosemary Wells has published over 60 books in a longcareer. Max & Ruby first appeared in 1979. Silver Lining co-produced (withCanadian animation company Nelvana) a series of 26 x half hours for televisionwhich have rated highly for Nick US and other broadcasters worldwide since Fall2003; and, with the same partner, Timothy Goes to School, for PBS, RTL andothers in 2000. • Since its first appearance in 2003, Dragonology, from UKpublisher Templar, has sold almost 2.5 million copies internationally and spent65 weeks in the New York Times bestseller list. • Babette Cole's 84 books have sold over 5 million copiesworldwide. A television series of 26 x half hours is currently in production (inassociation with French animation house, Moonscoop) of Dr Dog. Series will bedelivered end 2005 to broadcasters TF1 (France), ZDF (Germany), ABC (Australia),and others. • Debi Gliori has published over 100 picture books and arecent series of young adult novels. Her books have sold over 2 million copiesworldwide. Silver Lining recently completed development of a television seriesbased on her Mr Bear books. • Anne and Georg Hallensleben's Gaspard et Lisa has soldover 1 million copies in 15 languages. Silver Lining is managing a licensingprogram, aimed at young adult women, in Japan, and preparing to develop a seriesfor television. • Susan Jeffers is an award-winning US author andillustrator. She teamed with Rosemary Wells to illustrate McDuff, a book serieswhich has sold 1 million copies in the US alone. • Simon Bartram's Man on the Moon (A Day in the Life of Bob)and Dougal the Deepsea Diver is a UK author and illustrator. He was shortlistedfor the Kate Greenaway Medal in 2004. The founders: Amory Millard got her start in licensing by creating the licensing program forWorld Wildlife Fund - US, one of the first and most successful cause-relatedmerchandising efforts of its kind. She then went on to run the US licensingoperation for Determined Productions, which represented classic characterfranchises such as Peanuts and Felix the Cat and also managed the globallicensing program for The Beatles. Then, as an independent consultant, Millardwas tapped to develop and launch brand licensing and merchandising programs forclients Revlon and M&M/Mars. Diana Manson is a producer of television, film, theatre and radio in Australia,the UK and the US. She has worked in the music industry as an agent, manager,publisher and producer and established the Australian Broadcasting Corporation'ssuccessful record label and brand, ABC for Kids, where she signed The Wiggles.She has worked as a consultant for Disney, Sony and Warner Bros and as Director,Creative Development, for BMG International, based in London. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange