Re Agreement
August 19 2003 - 5:52AM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:8131O
Galleon Holdings PLC
19 August 2003
GALLEON HOLDINGS PLC:
US$12M LICENSING AGREEMENT
ASTRO KNIGHTS ON THE LAUNCHPAD FOR CANNES 2004
Galleon Holdings plc ('Galleon'), the AIM-quoted cross-media group, announces a
licensing agreement with Jaguar Media Productions SA ('Jaguar'), a Swedish-based
media production Company, to produce a fully-funded film and 260-epsiode
television series for its Astro Knights Intellectual Property (IP). The total
production cost is expected to be approximately US$12 million dollars, which
will be incurred by Jaguar.
A new company, Astro Knights 2003 Ltd, will be formed to manage the production
and licensing of the IP.
Revenues generated from the productions will be divided between the vendor and
licensee; Galleon receiving 20 per cent and Jaguar 80 per cent of gross income.
Astro Knights IP was created using Galleon's Computer Generated Imagery ('CGI')
and is aimed at a target audience of 8-12 year-olds. The film and television
series will premiere at the Cannes TV Festival (MIPTV) in April 2004 as a
prelude to worldwide general release in Autumn 2004. Jaguar will manage the
production from its animation studio in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Commenting, Ove Gustafson, CEO of Jaguar, said:
"We are delighted to have signed the agreement for Astro Knights, a property
which we perceive to have substantial worldwide potential. We will be launching
a totally co-ordinated package, including the movie, the television series, DVD,
video, video games and a full merchandising programme."
He added:
"In anticipation of a global rollout in 2005, there is already support from
leading retailers and other major companies in the Nordic territories. I believe
a multi-platform launch, such as this, represents a 'first' in the history of
children's entertainment."
Jim Driscoll, Chairman of Galleon, said:
"We have been negotiating with Jaguar for six months to bring Astro Knights to
the market. The contract with Jaguar allows us to move forward with a
fully-funded production eliminating any further fund-raising requirement or risk
to Galleon."
He concluded:
"Through the new joint venture vehicle, Astro Knights 2003 Ltd, we shall remain
closely involved with the production and marketing of the property, to ensure it
realises its full potential."
About Galleon
Galleon Holdings is a content provider across platforms in multimedia broadcast
and interactive software. The Group's strategy is to build, acquire and own a
significant intellectual property rights' portfolio. The Group owns companies
with intellectual property rights in software, animation and new media. The
Galleon Holdings plc is the holding company of the Group incorporating Astro
Knights Ltd, Probe Media Ltd, Redeye PR Ltd, Clipper Media Ltd and A4 Holdings
plc. It also owns equity interests in two other companies.
About Astro Knights
Astro Knights extrapolates from NASA's current plans and recent scientific
developments placing a team of skilled, enthusiastic young students at Space
Academy on the first major Moonbase. All of thesestudents have won scholarships
against stiff competition to get here. While stationed at the new frontier, they
train to become astronauts but are secretly empowered with awesome alien
technology to save the Earth from dangers both alien and cosmic and to help save
the Galaxy! With a target age group of 8-12, Astro Knights maintains an internal
continuity allowing viewers to join the series at any time, but rewarding
regular viewers with richer character development, a deeper understanding of the
team and subtle in-jokes.
ENDS
For more information regarding this announcement please contact:
James Driscoll Paul Wooding / Natalie Johnson
Chairman MCC International
Galleon Group Plc T: +44(0) 1962 888 100
T: +44(0) 1384 440 591 E: galleon@mccint.com
F: +44 (0) 1384 440 582
E: james.driscoll@galleonplc.com
Sam Allen
Binns & Co PR Ltd
T: +44 (0) 20 7786 9600
E: sam.allen@binnspr.co.uk
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
AGRNKCKQCBKKCFD