E1 ENTERTAINMENT AND THE LEGENDARY KISS SEAL DEAL
Los Angeles, CA and Toronto, ON - March 9, 2010 - Leading independent studio, E1 Entertainment is thrilled to finalize their production and development deal with legendary rock band KISS. E1 will tap the worldwide enthusiasm for the KISS brand, collaborating with founding members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley to create a comedic half-hour kids television series that galvanizes the band's iconic personas for its young fans.
"We're honored to be involved in carrying on the KISS legacy," comments Frank Saperstein, Senior VP of Kids and Animation for E1. "It's wonderful to collaborate with the creative forces behind one of the greatest rock bands of all time and unquestionably one of the most recognized worldwide."
E1 has snagged the KISS brand as it eclipses its roots, building energy in new family and youth media outlets. KISS's role as the face of Dr. Pepper, their significant presence during Super Bowl XLIV, and their appearance on the 2009 American Idol Finale, which reached over thirty million viewers, has made the make-up and leather-clad giants a household name for kids and families today. The KISS tradition continues to grow generation after generation transcending age, race and creed.
"KISS continues to be the juggernaut of licensing and merchandising, from KISS M&M's to KISS Dr Pepper," remarks KISS co-founder Gene Simmons, "KISS is a band, but also the only music BRAND. Continuing in our 35-year history of going where no band has gone before, we are proud to partner with E1. Like all things KISS, we intend to make this a very special show for our fans."
"We couldn't be more excited. Coupling E1's successes and ingenuity with the global force of KISS guarantees an express pass into the homes of our youngest KISS Army members with a show of superior quality," adds KISS co-founder Paul Stanley.
The as- yet untitled series will be produced and distributed worldwide by E1. Executive Producers are John Morayniss and Frank Saperstein for E1 Entertainment; Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS. E1 and KISS will handle all licensing and merchandise for the series.
About E1 Entertainment
E1 Entertainment (AIM: ETO) is a leading independent entertainment content enterprise that acquires and exploits world-class film, television and music properties around the globe. Its four primary businesses units (E1 Television, E1 Films, E1 Music and E1 Distribution) operate in Canada, the U.S., the UK and Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Holland and Belgium, providing extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production and distribution, kids programming, and merchandising and licensing. E1's growing content library, which currently includes more than 4,000 feature films, 2,700 hours of original television programming and 15,000 music tracks, is distributed across all media formats in more than 190 countries.
About KISS
With thirty-seven years of record-breaking tours across the globe, KISS is truly a multi-generational phenomenon. Whether joining forces with Hasbro for their Tooth Tunes musical toothbrushes, featuring KISS music in the Guitar Hero games series, lending their voices and images to popular animated series like "Fairly Odd Parents" and "SquidBillies" or designing their own line of toddler and infant clothing, KISS has proven to be as popular with "KISS Kids" today as they were with teenagers of the 70's who originally created the KISS ARMY (and who continue to attend their legendary live shows). Having sold 80 million albums throughout their career, the 2009 release of their chart topping "Sonic Boom" album (exclusive with Wal-Mart) and the announcement of their Sonic Boom: From The Beginning To The Boom 2010 World Tour only proves that KISS remains the "Hottest Band in the World".
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