Design Group Regulatory News (IGR)

2 Feb 2007 10:24

International Greetings PLC02 February 2007 2 February 2007 INTERNATIONAL GREETINGS PLC ALLIGATOR DIVISION SIGNS DR WHO AND RUPERT BEAR LICENCES FOR NEW PRODUCT LAUNCHES International Greetings PLC ("International Greetings" or "the Group") (AIM:IGR), the leading designer and manufacturer of private label greetings productsand film and television character based licensed stationery, today announcesthat its Alligator Books Limited subsidiary has signed the licences for 'Dr Who'and the recently relaunched children's classic, 'Rupert Bear'. Alligator Books, a publisher and distributor of children's books and stationerywhich was acquired by International Greetings in April 2006, has signed the'Creative Play' licences for 'Rupert the Bear' from Entertainment Rights and'Doctor Who' from BBC Worldwide. The Creative Play formats include products suchas stickers and colouring sets. The new licences fit well with the Group's other licensed products which rangefrom much-loved children's classics such as 'Noddy', 'Thomas the Tank Engine'and 'Postman Pat', to more modern successes such as 'Bratz' and 'Dora theExplorer', as well as family movie blockbusters such as the 'Harry Potter'series, 'Spiderman' and 'Shrek '. Joint Chief Executive, Nick Fisher, commented: "Alligator books has been a greatacquisition for International Greetings and these new deals show our continuedbelief in the value of acquiring the licences for strong and well known brands. "Both 'Rupert the Bear' and 'Dr Who' are experiencing a resurgence of popularityfollowing recent relaunches. We are convinced their appeal will continue andthat the demand for our products will be strong." - Ends - For further information: Nick Fisher, Joint Chief Executive, International Greetings plc: 01707 630 602 Rachel Drysdale, Tavistock Communications: 020 7920 3150 Notes to Editors: International Greetings PLC is a leading designer and manufacturer of privatelabel wrapping paper, greetings products and film and television character basedlicensed stationery. It currently has over 1,000 employees and produces giftwrapping paper, gift tags, ribbons, Christmas crackers, greeting cards and otherdecorative accessories. The Group provides wrapping paper and gift products to most of the major highstreet retailers and holds the licences to produce merchandise for most of thewell-known family blockbusters, including the Harry Potter series, Robots, andthe recently released Batman Begins. International Greetings was founded by Anders Hedlund in 1979 and has successfuloperations in the United States, Hong Kong and, as part of its continuedworldwide expansion, has recently opened facilities in China and Latvia. TheCompany has a strong platform for growth in Europe, through its Dutch basedHoomark subsidiary and, in May 2005, it acquired Anker International, aninternational design, import and distribution business with interests in the UK,Holland and Hong Kong for a consideration of £35.5 million. Anker Internationalsupplies a wide assortment of greetings, festive, stationery and photographicgift products, which both complement and add to the Group's existing ranges. International Greetings listed on AIM in 1995 and is currently capitalised atabout £185 million. Further information is available at www.internationalgreetings.co.uk This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange