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Press Release
Fremont, CA (7/26/99) - The
Learning Company and Nintendo of America, Inc. today announced that they
have reached an agreement for The Learning Company to develop and publish
educational software worldwide based on Nintendo's amazing video game
phenomenon called Pokemon. Pokemon is licensed by Leisure Concepts, Inc.,
a 4Kids Entertainment company. As part of the announcement, The Learning
Company will bring Nintendo's coveted Pokemon to market on its first
CD-ROM appearance with two titles to be introduced this fall.
The popularity of Pokemon is based on the concept of collecting,
developing and trading over 150 separate creatures. Since its introduction
to the United States in September, Pokemon has become an overnight booming
phenomenon. It's a top selling video game property, #1 rated kid's
television show in U.S. syndication, as well as a #1 show on the Warner
Bros. Television Network. Other Pokemon products include toys, trading
cards and home videos, for a total of 90 licensed franchises, many of
which are breaking all sales records. "We are thrilled to introduce
Pokemon to an entirely new audience of fans by combining its global
popularity with innovative software technology," says Greg Bestick,
president of The Learning Company. "Kids love the fun that Pokemon
provides, and parents and teachers will appreciate the software's
educational content."
"It makes perfect sense to align with The Learning Company,"
says Gail Tilden, vice president of product acquisition and development of
Nintendo. "Pokemon is adored by millions of children around the
world, and we hope this new educational software will help them get
excited about learning though the computer."
Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, is the acknowledged worldwide
leader in the creation of interactive entertainment. To date, Nintendo has
sold more than one billion video games worldwide, created such industry
icons as Mario and Donkey Kong and launched franchises like The Legend of
Zelda and Pokemon. Nintendo manufactures and markets hardware and software
for its popular home video game systems, including the Nintendo 64 and
Game Boy -- the world's best-selling video game system. As a wholly owned
subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as
headquarters for Nintendo's operations in North America. For more
information about the Pokemon Summer League or any other Nintendo product,
visit the company's Web site at www.nintendo.com or the official Pokemon
Web site at www.pokemon.com.
Headquartered in New York, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. is a vertically
integrated entertainment company whose wholly-owned subsidiaries include:
Leisure Concepts, Inc., a leader in domestic and international merchandise
licensing and product development; 4Kids Productions, a television, film
and home video production company; and Summit Media, a domestic and
international television distribution, media buying and planning company.
The Learning Company, a division of Mattel, Inc., develops and
publishes some of the best-known consumer software for the entire family,
including "Reader Rabbit," "The ClueFinders,"
"Arthur," "Little Bear," "Sesame Street,"
"Dr. Seuss," and more. The Learning Company products are
distributed and sold worldwide through multiple distribution channels such
as retail stores, school sales, online, direct marketing and OEM. For
further information, visit www.learningco.com or www.shopTLC.com.
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