Zoo Digital Regulatory News (ZOO)

7 Apr 2006 07:00

Zoo Digital Group PLC07 April 2006 7 April 2006 ZOO DIGITAL GROUP PLC ("ZOO" or "the Group") ZOO Signs New Software Licensing Agreements ZOOtech Ltd ("ZOOtech") the interactive DVD technology pioneer and subsidiary ofZOO, today announced it has signed a number of licensing deals for its uniqueDVD authoring technology DVD-EXTRA. The deals are across multiple territoriesand see the continued roll-out of the technology to developers and publisherslooking to produce highly interactive DVD titles. ZOO expects to generate around£1.5million in revenues from licensing and royalties in this market sector inthis financial year. In North America new agreements with Scholastic Media, Brighter Minds Media andEndless Games for products that use ZOO's technology for new interactive DVDswill produce a broad range of new titles based on popular television, film andbook properties. In Europe further licenses have been agreed with VividImaginations Ltd, Big Red Frog, Silenn and Compedia. ZOOtech has also signed itsfirst developer and publisher contracts in Italy with Cinehollywood -demonstrating the continued expansion and growth in the market for interactiveDVDs across multiple territories. These additions contribute to a robustpublishing schedule for 2006 and 2007 across a number of DVD game categories. Stuart Green, CEO of ZOO, said; "ZOO is very pleased to be working with these new partners to create a diverserange of products using the DVD-Video platform to create truly interactiveexperiences that children, families and gamers will enjoy. The Board believesthat the prospects for the development of its range of unique DVD software toolsremain sound and are encouraged by the continuing commercial opportunitiespresented. We are committed to reducing the technology barriers so thatpublishers have the greatest possible freedom to bring their visions ofinteractive entertainment to the DVD market. DVD-EXTRA STUDIO users can automatemany formerly manual processes, such as the generation of assets and links.These types of efficiencies simply cannot be replicated using other tools." - ends - Enquiries: Stuart Green CEO, ZOO Digital Group plc 0114 241 3700 James Chandler/Lana PughWeber Shandwick Square Mile07771 787098/ 020 7067 0747 Alasdair RobinsonNoble & Company Limited0131 225 9677 Notes to Editors: About ZOO Digital Group PLCZOO is divided into two separate divisions; ZOOtech Ltd ("ZOOtech") and ZOOInteractive Video Ltd ("ZIV") (formerly ZOO Digital Publishing Ltd ). ZOOtech Ltd ("ZOOtech")ZOOtech focuses on R&D and licensing of DVD-EXTRA, the Group's highly originaldevelopment software capable of creating complex interactive content forstandard DVD players. From delivering professional tools to create highlyinteractive DVD titles, to solutions that are making a huge impact on processchange in major Hollywood studios and worldwide production facilities - ZOOtechis pioneering the development of technology that is revolutionising the videoproduction industry. ZOO Interactive Video Ltd ("ZIV")ZIV is a world leader in the production of interactive video entertainment. Byacquiring rights and developing interactive DVD titles using DVD-EXTRA STUDIO,ZIV delivers high quality products for distribution through video 'majors'. Inaddition ZIV provides category-leading interactive video production services topublishers across the globe. Its products include best selling titles such as'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?', 'Telly Addicts' and Wallace & Gromit - Curseof the Were-Rabbit' About Scholastic Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher anddistributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology.Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and productsfor use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines,technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film,videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through avariety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-basedbook fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retailstores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company's Internetsite, www.scholastic.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange