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The first merchandising deal with stationery partner ARGUS spol. s.r.o. saw the successful release of several stationery products earlier this summer in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In addition, the first issues of a bi-monthly fan magazine and a twice annual poster magazine were released in Hungary by Egmont-Hungary Ltd. Also in Hungary, FME has secured a back to school deal with M&C Publishing for a number of products which will be released this summer, followed by an episode serial guide with three planned releases between April 2009 and May 2011. Diana M. Dieckmann, Vice President Licensing, Germany & Eastern Europe, FME commented, “We are very pleased with the success of the H2O licensing programme to date. There has been a high level of interest in the show and this is mirrored by the successful merchandising opportunities which have since arisen. FME also retain exclusive rights to off and on-air promotion, sponsorship and mobile content (excluding television rights) so there is a lot of potential for this brand.” FME acquired licensing rights for H2O – Just Add Water in Eastern Europe including Russia, at the end of 2008. These deals follow on swiftly from FME’s second licensing deal with ZDF Enterprises for a 26 x 26 minute fantasy programme called The Elephant Princess, which was brokered at the Licensing International Expo in June 2009 by Dieckmann and Sylvia Brucker, Director Merchandising for ZDF Enterprises. Brucker is in charge of all international merchandising activities for ZDF Enterprises properties, including the popular children’s live action series H2O - Just Add Water and The Elephant Princess. H2O-Just Add Water follows the story of three normal teenage girls who stumble upon an ancient cavern and undergo a transformation that will change their lives forever. The drama sees three very different girls facing everyday teen problems with an added twist – they’re mermaids with incredible powers as soon as they touch water. The programme won a 2009 Logie Award, was nominated last year for an AFI (Australian Film Institute), and it has been a major success for broadcaster ZDF, distributor ZDF Enterprises (the TV rights have sold to 143 territories worldwide) and licensor FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME). FME is fast becoming one of the leading third party brand representatives. Most recently the company was appointed CBS’s official licensing agent in Asia representing such signature brands as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Next Top Model, 90210 and Star Trek. FME was also appointed the exclusive licensing agent for Paramount Licensing properties in Australia and New Zealand across upcoming releases and films from the studio’s extensive and diverse library. |