Regional Publisher Announces Wide-Ranging Partnership With Marvel Entertainment
NEW YORK, Oct. 24, 2005 — Teshkeel Media Group, KSC, announced today a comprehensive agreement with Marvel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: MVL), a leading global character-based entertainment and licensing company to bring Arabic-language Marvel comics, trade paperbacks and magazines to the Middle East region. The agreement was announced by Naif Al-Mutawa, CEO of Teshkeel, and Bruno Maglione, President of Marvel International.
Under terms of the agreement, Teshkeel will engage in a wide-ranging multi-year publishing program which for the first time will bring Marvel's world-famous comic books to the Middle East in local language. The Marvel comics will be distributed throughout the region, from the Arabian Gulf to North Africa.
"We're extremely excited and proud to be working with Marvel," said Al-Mutawa. "Marvel's Super Heroes provide positive role models for children worldwide, and it's extremely gratifying to be able to bring them to an Arab audience."
Maglione added, "The Arab world is emerging as one of the fastest growing markets in the world. Our character franchises each began as comic books, and introducing Marvel comics is a crucial first step to developing our full business model in new regions. We met with a variety of potential partners, and it was clear that Teshkeel was uniquely situated and best able to execute on bringing Marvel's comic book franchise to this region."
Headquartered in Kuwait, Teshkeel is a publisher and developer of comics and other children's entertainment in the Arab world. According to the terms of its multi-year agreement with Marvel, Teshkeel's product offering will include Arabic language magazines, comic books and trade paperbacks featuring some of Marvel's most well-known characters including SPIDER-MAN, the X-MEN, the FANTASTIC FOUR, THE INCREDIBLE HULK and THE AVENGERS.
Al-Mutawa added that Teshkeel will begin Arabic publication of several of Marvel's most well-known and successful titles early next year. The company may also release additional titles to tie in with the release of next year's highly anticipated X-MEN 3 and GHOST RIDER motion pictures.
"Naif has a great vision for launching Marvel's products in the Arab world and has assembled a great team to execute the plan," added Maglione. "We look forward to working with Teshkeel for many years to come, and to building on Marvel's global success."
About Teshkeel Media Group, KSC
Teshkeel Media Group, KSC (http://www.teshkeel.com) is one of the Middle East's leading developers of comics and children's entertainment. Based in Kuwait, and with offices in New York, the Company's mission is to fill a significant void in positive, high-quality children's content in the region, including in print and electronic media, film and television. In addition to working with global publishers, Teshkeel is also developing its own properties, including a new superhero concept that it plans to launch in the region in 2006.
About Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
With a library of over 5,000 characters, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. – formerly known as Marvel Enterprises, Inc. – is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused on utilizing its character franchises in licensing, entertainment, publishing and toys. Areas of emphasis include feature films, DVD/home video, consumer products, video games, action figures and role-playing toys, television and promotions. Rooted in the creative success of over sixty years of comic book publishing, Marvel's strategy is to leverage its character franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world.
CONTACTS:
For Marvel Entertainment:
Jeffrey Klein, Ann Hinshaw
Dan Klores Communications
212-685-4300
Email, Email
Teshkeel Media Group, KSC
Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa
+011-965-299-7780
Email
MARVEL, and all related Marvel characters are copyright and trademarks of Marvel Characters, Inc., and are used with permission. All rights reserved. http://www.marvel.com.