Fox, Saban Sign Agreements
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment here and Saban Entertainment, Burbank, Calif., have reached a multi-year agreement for the marketing, sales and distribution of Saban's video programming. The companies also have entered into joint-production agreements for direct-to-video products.
The first release under the agreement is "Beetleborgs," a feature-length movie based on a television program targeting children ages 2 to 11. It will street March 18 with a suggested retail of $14.98 and a minimum advertised price of $9.95. The title will be promoted with network and cable television advertising and a Fox Kids Network promotion. The video will include a bonus "Beetleborgs" music video and a mail-in offer for a free action figure.
Plans for the joint venture include a new video line for current and future Saban children's programming, with releases backed by FoxVideo marketing efforts.
'Book of Virtues' Line Set
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The Public Broadcasting Service here will launch a new line of children's videos, "PBS for Kids," Feb. 25 with a family series, "Adventures From the Book of Virtues." Based on a best-selling anthology by William J. Bennett, the animated videos draw themes from classic tales and will be priced at $12.98 each.
The first six titles are "Honesty," "Compassion," "Courage," "Work," "Responsibility" and "Self-Discipline." A six-tape set will be available for $59.98. Among the stars providing their voices for the series are Ed Asner, Kathy Bates, Shelley Duvall, Mark Harmon, Malcolm Jamal Warner and Malcolm McDowell.
The series will be cross promoted with McCain's Junior Juice, with a sweepstakes advertised on more than 8 million packages from March through October. Coupons for the McCain's products will be included with the videos. Additionally, a coupon from Lifetouch Portrait Studios for a free 8-inch by 10-inch portrait will be in the video packages.
Electronic media will include a national promotion on National Public Radio and other radio talk shows, print advertising and television advertising on all Turner and Warner networks, including Cartoon Network, TNT, TBS, Headline News, CNN and WB Network. The line will be marketed and distributed by Warner Home Video, Burbank, Calif.
'Doors of Wonder' to Open
NEW YORK -- Sony Wonder here is launching "Doors of Wonder," a series based upon illustrated children's books. Two titles, "The Rainbow Fish" and "Dazzle the Dinosaur," from award-winning illustrator Marcus Pfister of North-South Books, will be released March 25, with prebook by March 6. The 30-minute video will retail for a suggested $12.98 and the package will feature a holographic foil-stamping technique used in the children's books.
'Zoofari' Video Wins Award
SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. -- "More Zoofari," a live-action tour of a major zoo, has won a 1996 Joey Award. The Joey Awards honor creativity in the broadcast and print media. Available from WhiteTree Pictures here, "More Zoofari" carries a suggested retail price of $14.95.
Huggies Cross Promotes Video
LOS ANGELES -- "Bananas in Pajamas" from Sachs Family Entertainment here is being cross promoted with Dallas-based Kimberly-Clark Corp.'s Huggies Brand Diapers. To support the title, Kimberly-Clark has put out a freestanding insert and will give away "Bananas in Pajamas" finger puppets from Tomy America. Based on a preschool television show, the video has received the Dove Foundation's Seal of Approval.
