Coolabi plc - New comedy drama series in production
23 Apr 09
23 April 2009
Coolabi plc ('Coolabi' or the 'Company')
New comedy drama series in production
Coolabi plc (COO:L), today announces that its recently commissioned live action, comedy drama series 'Dead Normal' (working title) is now fully funded and is going into production.
Following the update provided at the time of the interim results announcement, the Company has agreed terms with CBBC in the UK, ABC TV Australia and Nickelodeon Germany which will see the 13 X 24 minute series broadcast in all three countries. The series will also be supported by Screen Australia and Film Victoria.
'Dead Normal' will be co-produced with partner Burberry Productions Pty Ltd and filmed entirely in Australia. It is expected that the show will be earnings enhancing to the Company in its next financial year.
Jeremy Banks, Chief Executive of Coolabi commented: "This is an important step for our production division and will make a significant contribution to the Company as a whole. 'Dead Normal' fits strongly with our overall business plan to develop strong intellectual property assets that have international potential."
Anne Gilchrist, Controller CBBC said: "Dead Normal is a brand new drama for CBBC. It is fun and funny - a ghostly take on school life and with three strong female leads it will make a strong impact in the CBBC portfolio."
In other news, following the update on Purple Ronnie at interims, Coolabi is continuing development of the property. In addition to the contract with Pan MacMillan, Purple Ronnie's long-term publisher, for 11 new titles in the next two years, the Company has agreed a contract with Dutch publisher Uitgeverij BZZTôH BV to publish 'Purple Ronnie's Book for a Smashing Grandad' and 'Purple Ronnie's Book for a Lovely Grandma' in Holland this September. This marks Purple Ronnie's first entry into a non-English speaking market.
Ends
Enquiries:
Jeremy Banks, Chief Executive, Coolabi plc: 020 7258 7080
Tom Price, Bobbie Hilliam, Evolution Securities: 020 7071 4300
Verity Williams, Portland for Coolabi: 020 7842 0134 or verity.williams@portlandpr.co.uk
Notes to editors:
About Coolabi Productions Ltd / Coolabi plc:
Coolabi Productions Limited is the production arm of Coolabi plc, an AIM-listed media group focused on the ownership, development, production and creative management of high quality intellectual property assets and their global exploitation through licensing and merchandising and distribution.
The group owns or controls the intellectual property rights to international brands including Purple Ronnie and Scarlett and Crimson, as well as selected rights to properties such as the Hammer House of Horror. Coolabi is also responsible for a variety of hit TV shows including The Large Family for CBBC.
In October 2008 Coolabi acquired Licensing By Design Ltd, a privately owned company representing the licensing and merchandising rights for Bagpuss, the Clangers and Ivor the Engine. In March 2009 the Company acquired the literary estates of Eric Ambler, Michael Innes and John Creasey whose titles have been adapted for film and television, including Ambler's "Journey Into Fear" starring Orson Welles and "The Light of Day", filmed as "Topkapi" and starring Peter Ustinov. Coolabi has also secured the dramatic rights for novelist Chris Bradford's Young Samurai children's books and announced the production of series two of the hit animation The Large Family for Cbeebies in the UK and TF1 in France.
Coolabi is actively looking to increase the number and range of intellectual property assets that it owns, develops and manages. Whilst a proportion of this growth will come from the development of Coolabi's existing development slate, the majority will be as a result of the group's acquisition strategy.
Purple Ronnie
In the 20 years since its inception Purple Ronnie has sold over 60 million greetings cards, 2.5 million books and is still one of the country's most iconic gift properties.
Purple Ronnie was acquired by Coolabi in May 2007 from its creator Giles Andreae.
Coolabi now provides brand management and marketing expertise and is injecting investment into research, marketing, creative development and a new website in 2008.
About Burberry Productions Pty Ltd
Based in Melbourne, Australia, Burberry Productions is a company with a strong track record in the development, financing and production of award-winning, high-quality programs for the Australian and international markets.
Since its establishment as an independent production company in 2000, Burberry has produced over 160 hours of television across a number of genres including children's series, mini-series, sketch comedy, prime-time drama and animation. Productions include 'Animalia', 'Sleepover Club' and 'Bootleg'.
Burberry has been awarded with one BAFTA, three AFI (Australian Film Institute), four ATOM (Australian Teacher's of Media) Awards and one LOGIE Award.
This information is provided by RNS
