DIC Tapped as Licensing Agent for Eloise

BURBANK, May 31: HandMade Group has appointed DIC
Entertainment as the exclusive worldwide licensing agent for the classic girl's
property, Eloise.

DIC will develop a comprehensive licensing and merchandising
program for Eloise targeting girls aged 4 to 8 in key
categories—excluding entertainment—such as toys, books, apparel,
accessories and more. The initial rollout of the merchandise program is
anticipated for spring 2008 to coincide with the release of a new live-action
feature film, Eloise in Paris.
Additionally, a Broadway show is in development.

"The timing to launch Eloise into the marketplace is
ideal with the premieres of a new movie and Broadway show slated next year
providing the opportunity to build awareness of the brand, and we look forward
to introducing this classic brand to a new generation of young girls,"
commented Andy Heyward, the chairman and CEO of DIC. "As we build our
brand management business globally, our strategy is to continue to fortify our
catalog with properties such as Eloise and Strawberry Shortcake that have a
built-in brand equity and can be exploited across multiple platforms."

The classic book-based property has seen a resurgence in the
last few years. In 2003, HandMade produced two Emmy Award-winning television
movies starring Julie Andrews, Eloise at the Plaza and Eloise at Christmastime for broadcast by ABC. Buena Vista Home Entertainment
subsequently released the two titles on DVD, which to date have sold over 1
million units in the U.S. Additionally, HandMade Films and Film Roman produced
a 13-episode animated television series for Eloise that premiered in 2006 on
Starz Kids. That show is distributed by Starz Media.

On the publishing front, in 2005 Simon & Schuster began
rolling out Eloise stories in the style of Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight, the
original author and illustrator, via its Ready-to-Reads line. By the end of
this year, 11 titles will have been released in that line.