Tavistock Regulatory News (TAVI)

24 Jan 2005 07:18

Bright Things plc24 January 2005 24 January 2005 BRIGHT THINGS PLC UK Distribution Agreement with Bandai Bright Things PLC, the developer of an educational games console and softwarefor the pre-school market, has reached agreement with Bandai UK Ltd for theexclusive distribution rights of its educational games console, The Bubble, andits associated software in the United Kingdom and Eire. The Bubble is plannedfor launch initially in the UK, with a roll out into the US and other Europeanmarkets thereafter. In recent months, Bright Things, which listed on AIM in Spring 2004, has signedcontent agreements to develop games for its console featuring a number of themost well known children's TV characters including Thomas & Friends TM, Bob theBuilderTM, Postman Pat(R), NoddyTM, The TeletubbiesTM and The TweeniesTM. As part of the three-year agreement covering the UK and Eire, Bandai hasguaranteed to purchase from Bright Things a minimum of 100,000 Bubble consolesand 200,000 units of associated software in the first year. Dominic Wheatley, CEO, Bright Things, said:"The UK distribution agreement marks another significant step in Bright Things'development and we are delighted to be working with a company of Bandai'scalibre. "We continue to make progress on the development of the hardware and thesoftware and aim to launch in the summer. I am looking forward to Bandaiunveiling Bubble for the first time to the trade at the London Toy Fair thisweek." Julian Boyers, Sales Director, Bandai UK, said:"We are very pleased to be associated with what will prove to be such a highprofile property in a competitive market place. "The TV titles which are already in place, and many more in the pipeline forfuture use, will give the 'Bubble' games platform tremendous appeal to youngchildren." For further information please contact: Bright Things PLCMatthew Tims, Publishing Director 07976 740397Giles Croot / Mark Antelme, Brunswick 020 7404 5959 Bandai UKJulian Boyers, Sales Director 01489 790944 NOTES FOR EDITORS: Bright ThingsBright Things was formed in June 2002 by Dominic Wheatley and John Kavanagh, theinventor of the technology, to develop and exploit the prototype interactiveeducational children's console. BandaiBandai UK Ltd is a subsidiary of the third largest toy company in the world,Bandai Co. Ltd. Established in the UK in 1982, Bandai UK has grown to be themaster toy licensee of some of the most popular properties in children's toysand entertainment, including Power Rangers, Pokemon, Digimon, Gundam,Thunderbirds and original products including Badge It! and the worldwidephenomenon Tamagotchi. The Bandai Group makes the most of its extensive line up of characters, andoffers appealing products and services in a wide range of fields including videogame software, apparel, confectionary, visual content, amusement machines andprizes, mobile phone network content, and of course, toys. The Group's experience and expertise serve as the backbone of our relationshipwith corporate partners and have helped sustain partnerships, create newcharacters based on collaboration, and form business alliances with leadingcompanies aimed at complementing and expanding our businesses. Bandai's recent partners include: 4Kids Entertainment, Disney Consumer Products,DIC Entertainment, Granada Ventures, Sony Pictures Consumer Products, UniversalStudios Consumer Products, Warner Bros and Sanrio. Bandai Co., Ltd. is comprised of 27 subsidiaries in 8 countries, employing 1500staff with turnover in excess of $2 billion dollars in 2003. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange