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March 1, 2007 by jack petrie.
PixFusion to Create Personalized Video for Children – ‘Winter Adventures: I Can Do Anything!’
Care Bears Celebrate 25th Anniversary
Since the re-launch of this classic property in 2002, Care Bears have quickly become America’s Favorite Bears. 2007 marks the 25th anniversary of this beloved brand. Care Bears have brought their message of caring and sharing to millions of children and adults and now a new generation of children has discovered Care Bears. Today’s parents, the generation that grew up with Care Bears, are now turning to Care Bears to help teach their children about emotions and sharing their feelings.
The Care Bears’ Winter Adventures: I Can Do Anything is available through PixFusion’s Kideo brand Web site (www.kideo.com), joining current licensed titles such as Spider-Man, Dora the Explorer and Arthur, in which a child’s image is inserted into the video using PixFusion’s technology. Not only do the characters interact with the child, but they also speak to the child by name. In the first offering of Care Bears’ Winter Adventures: I Can Do Anything a child learns how to overcome his or her fears by skiing, sledding, and skating through winter terrain.
“By pairing up with characters as recognizable and trusted as Care Bears we will heighten our brand awareness and improve our current product line,” said Marc E. Jaffe, CEO, PixFusion. “Winter Adventures: I Can Do Anything will not only provide entertainment value, but also educational value.”
“PixFusion’s innovative technology will give children everywhere the chance to star in their own Care Bears video,” says Tamra Knepfer, Senior Vice President, American Greetings Properties. “In Winter Adventures: I Can Do Anything, kids will have the opportunity be a part of exciting Care-a-lot adventures along side some of their favorite characters.”
About PixFusion LLC
PixFusion LLC (www.pixfusion.com), established in 2001 with offices in both New York City and Palm Beach, Florida, creates personalized branded video products and services and uses its patented technology to automate the production of its finished products. PixFusion, recently awarded an iParenting Media Award, has proprietary content agreements and is continuing to expand its distribution networks to offer its personalized products direct to consumers and through retailers, manufacturers and other indirect channels. The company has commercialized children video products through its Kideo brand (www.kideo.com), a successful enterprise selling DVD videos to parents and grandparents of children ages one to seven. Kideo’s existing content is licensed from some of the most prominent and respected pre-school brands including Dora the Explorer and Arthur. In addition to its consumer entertainment division, PixFusion has also entered into several licenses of its proprietary intellectual property platform based on the strength of its long standing patent portfolio.
About The Care Bears
When introduced by American Greetings in 1982, the Care Bears property was truly ahead of its time in that it created a personalized play experience through unique characters that helped teach kids about the importance of caring for others and sharing special feelings. Led by Cheer Bear, Tenderheart Bear, Share Bear and other unforgettable characters, the Care Bears truly connected with children and families the world over. In 2002, the instantly recognizable Care Bears made a grand exit from hibernation and grabbed national headlines by sparking consumer frenzy with a new generation of kids and teens, as well as parents who originally grew up with the cuddly characters. Since their reintroduction in 2002, the Care Bears have clearly demonstrated their appeal as a true classic, evergreen property and continue their sharing mission with new activities and programs in 2006 and beyond.
About AG Properties
American Greetings’ intellectual property and outbound licensing division, AG Properties, was established in 2005 to develop multi-platform entertainment, licensing, merchandising and promotional campaigns for its classic properties, as well as develop a new series of character brands. The impetus for setting up the division was inspired not only by the success of two properties, Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake, which have made $1.8 billion and $1.5 billion in retail sales respectively, but also the IP, digital, manufacturing and retail core competencies that define the American Greetings Corporation. For more information visit www.agpbrands.com
About American Greetings Corporation
American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) is the world’s largest publicly traded manufacturer of social expression products. Along with greeting cards, its product lines include gift wrap, party goods, candles, stationery, calendars, educational products, ornaments, electronic greetings, ringtones, wallpapers, avatars and emoticons. American Greetings is also the creator and owner of Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears, Holly Hobbie, Bubblegum and Twisted Whiskers. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, American Greetings generates annual net sales of approximately $1.9 billion. For more information on the Company, visit http://corporate.americangreetings.com.
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