Coolabi plc : CAKE sells Poppy Cat to France Television:

31 Jan 12

Leading kids' entertainment specialist, CAKE has today announced it has sold Coolabi's animated preschool series Poppy Cat to France Télévisions. The deal continues a raft of sales that has seen the series sold to many broadcasters across the world following its global premiere on Nick Jr. UK in May 2011.

The series has already been placed with Disney Junior in Spain and Latin America,Al Jazeera Children's Channel, e-vision (U.A.E), SVT (Sweden), S4C (Wales), EBS Korea, OKTO Singapore, Nickelodeon Australia, TVO (Canada), Knowledge Network (Canada), NRK (Norway), RTÉ (Ireland) and most recently CITV (UK).

Poppy Catfollows the playful cat with the big personality, along with her colourfulcompanions, on inspiring adventures to amazing places. Poppy Cat's imagination fuels each and every episode and when you're with Poppy Cat, anything can happen. The preschool series is based on the international best-selling and award-winning books of the same name by Lara Jones.

Proving popular with viewers on both sides of the Atlantic, Poppy Cat is a top five show on commissioning channel Nick Jr. UK as well as being a top-rating show on Sprout in the US.

Poppy Catis planned to launch on France 5 from July 2012.

Ed Galton, COO and Managing Director, CAKE said: "France Télévisionsis a perfect home for Poppy Cat and her friends. We are delighted with the success of the series and it exemplifies the type of content CAKE looks to acquire - one that is beautifully made and can resonate with children across the globe."

As well as being a co-producer, Coolabi also handles all merchandising programmes for Poppy Cat internationally and has been working hard on deals for the property in a number of territories. Eleven licensees have been signed to date in the UK, with product launching in autumn 2012. JLG has been appointed as licensing agent for North America and a number of other agents are in discussion to represent Poppy Cat around the world, including in France.

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Notes to Editors:

About CAKE:

CAKE is one of the world's leading kids' and family entertainment specialists. The London based company, created in 2002, works with animation and live action production companies from around the world to develop, produce, commercially position and manage their IP propositions for international market.

http://www.cakeentertainment.com/

About Coolabi:

Coolabi is a leading provider of high quality children's and family entertainment, internationally, across all media. Coolabi's expertise lies in development and brand management, particularly through the channels of TV production and licensing and merchandising. 

The company operates across a number of genres and the current portfolio includes Poppy Cat, Purple Ronnie and Scarlett & Crimson. Via its subsidiary, Coolabi Publishing, the company also owns a number of classic literary estates, including Eric Ambler.  In addition Coolabi also represents certain brands, including Bagpuss, Clangers, and Ivor the Engine on behalf of Smallfilms and Peter Firmin.

For more information and a background on the company visit www.coolabi.com.

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CAKE's press contacts:

Franklin Rae Communications

[phone]

Robyn Vanoli-Salmon [e-mail]

Jessica Bromley [e-mail]