Press Release from Cartoon Network Enterprises
Hong Kong, 14 April, 2009 -- Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE), the licensing and merchandising arm of Cartoon Network, launched its 2009 activities with its Asia Pacific Roadshow, led by Dulce Lim-Chen, Vice President, Asia Pacific, Cartoon Network Enterprises. 2008 was a banner year for CNE with healthy and consistent growth, reflecting the strength of the Cartoon Network brand amongst consumers in the region. Building on this positive momentum, Dulce Lim-Chen shared CNE's success story, 2009 business plans and upcoming business launches with partners across Asia Pacific.
"The success of BEN 10, THE POWERPUFF GIRLS and our other brands, and the overall CNE business is extremely encouraging, especially in these tough financial times," said Dulce Lim-Chen, Vice President, Asia Pacific, Cartoon Network Enterprises. "We know that consumers purchase products from brands that truly resonate with them. BEN 10 is an example of a compelling property with quality products, making the brand come alive and bringing Cartoon Network closer to fans by engaging them in every way through multiple platforms."
Buoyed by the phenomenal success of the Ben 10 property and a booming DVD business which contributed significantly to CNE's growth in 2008, revenues grew by a very healthy 23% in Asia Pacific over the previous year. Moving forward, CNE will continue to focus in all areas of the business including expanded lines of consumer products and merchandise business, home entertainment, toys, publishing and gaming, making Cartoon Network a true, all encompassing, entertainment brand.
In Australia -- CNE's best performing market -- sales of BEN 10 toys grew 10 folds from 2007 to 2008. Meanwhile, sales in the Philippines for the popular toy line also jumped 300%. Following the trend throughout Asia Pacific, BEN 10 has been at the forefront of the success, spurring a 400% increase in toy sales in Malaysia.
Stopping in Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries in February and March, CNE is confident that Asia Pacific will be able to deliver very strong growth, despite the challenging economic conditions. Continuing its 2009 Asia Pacific Roadshow, CNE will also be setting its footprints in China, Japan, Indian, South Korea and Taiwan in the upcoming months.
As testament to the popularity of BEN 10 in Asia Pacific, the 2008 home entertainment launch of the BEN 10 DVDs exceeded projections by a whopping 350% in Thailand and 150% in Singapore within the first quarter of launch. In 2008, BEN 10 was also the #1 brand for Boy's Action Figures across the region! Riding on the strong performance, CNE recorded a robust growth in Southeast Asia with overall sales climbing 51%.
To expand its footprint in the region, CNE will continue to explore and add innovative products to the diverse merchandise portfolio. Some of the key focuses for 2009 will be Home Video Business, Console Gaming and Publishing. Recently, CNE also announced a slate of partnerships in Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. Working home entertainment distributor, PT Inova Digimedia (a member of Tarra Group) in Indonesia, Mediamax.com in Malaysia and Origin Entertainment in Singapore, the multi-year distribution deal will see premium Cartoon Network content arriving on VCDs and DVDs in these markets.
About Cartoon Network EnterprisesCartoon Network Enterprises, a division of Cartoon Network, works towards driving long-term value for the Network and its properties such as BEN 10, BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE, THE POWERPUFF GIRLS, POWERPUFF GIRLS Z, CHOWDER and THE SECRET SATURDAYS. The division specifically is responsible for setting up new businesses leveraging the equity of the characters via consumer products, promotional licensing, home videos, interactive games, publishing, themed entertainment and events. Cartoon Network Enterprises works with a host of partners in the Asia-Pacific region, including Bandai, Mattel, D3 Publishers among others.
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