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CHILDREN'S TELEVISION AND MARKETING AND DATE AFT 1/1/1997 The above request is the one you last used before selecting a new library or file. If you now want to use this request again, press the ENTER key. To edit the above request before you enter it, use the editing keys. Be sure to move the cursor to the end of the request before you enter. For editing instructions, press the E key (for EDIT) and then the ENTER key. If you do not want to use this search request, press the NEW SEARCH key. For further explanation, press the H key (for HELP) and then the ENTER key. CHILDREN'S TELEVISION AND MARKETING AND DATE AFT 1/1/1997 NEXIS is working on the displayed request. If it is not what you intended to enter, please press the STOP key. CHILDREN'S TELEVISION AND MARKETING AND DATE AFT 1/1/1997 NEXIS is working on the displayed request. If it is not what you intended to enter, please press the STOP key. CHILDREN'S TELEVISION AND MARKETING AND DATE AFT 1/1/1997 NEXIS is working on the displayed request. If it is not what you intended to enter, please press the STOP key. CHILDREN'S TELEVISION AND MARKETING AND DATE AFT 1/1/1997 Your search request has found 170 STORIES through Level 1. To DISPLAY these STORIES press either the KWIC, FULL, CITE or SEGMTS key. To MODIFY your search request, press the M key (for MODFY) and then the ENTER key. For further explanation, press the H key (for HELP) and then the ENTER key. LEVEL 1 - 170 STORIES 1. Business Wire, June 23, 1997, Monday, - 12:16 Eastern Time, 1232 words, CIGNA Corp. renews underwriting grant for "Adventures from The Book of Virtues" television series on PBS, LOS ANGELES 2. The Hollywood Reporter, June 17, 1997, 346 words, 'Summer Blast' triggers a Fox Kids Net explosion 10 new shows for weekdays, Saturdays, Jonathan Davies 3. Newsbytes, June 16, 1997, 765 words, Regulations Needed For Children's Web Sites 06/16/97, Pietrucha, Bill, IAC 06306557 4. PR Newswire, June 6, 1997, Friday, Financial News, 889 words, Treasure Chest Television Experiencing Dramatic Growth, NEW YORK, June 6 5. Discount Store News, June 2, 1997, Pg. 47, 1658 words, DIRECT-TO-VIDEO, BRANDED KIDVIDS EXPLORE NEW RETAIL VENTURES, Robert Scally 6. Electronic Media, June 02, 1997, Opinion; Pg. 28, 760 words, GUEST COMMENTARY: HOW DO YOU MAKE ONE STRONG BRAND OUT OF TWO? , Todd Berman 7. The Washington Times, June 2, 1997, Monday, Final Edition, Part NATION: PUBLIC TELEVISION; Pg. 13, 968 words, Who Receives the Big Bucks From Big Bird and Barney?, John Berlau; INSIGHT LEVEL 1 - 1 OF 170 STORIES Copyright (c) 1997 Business Wire, Inc. Business Wire June 23, 1997, Monday - 12:16 Eastern Time DISTRIBUTION: Business/Entertainment Editors LENGTH: 1232 words HEADLINE: CIGNA Corp. renews underwriting grant for "Adventures from The Book of Virtues" television series on PBS DATELINE: LOS ANGELES BODY: ... corporate philosophy of 'A Business of Caring'," said Rose. "And because of this great fit, we've been able to incorporate the 'Adventures' sponsorship into all marketing activities, from print and TV advertising, to our 'Bring Your Child to Work' day." "CIGNA has been the ideal corporate sponsor. Their interest and commitment ... (c) Business Wire, June 23, 1997, Monday June 23, 1997, Monday - 12:16 Eastern Time DISTRIBUTION: Business/Entertainment Editors LENGTH: 1232 words HEADLINE: CIGNA Corp. renews underwriting grant for "Adventures from The Book of Virtues" television series on PBS DATELINE: LOS ANGELES BODY: June 23, 1997--CIGNA Corp. has renewed its commitment to the PBS family series "Adventures from The Book of Virtues" by providing a second production underwriting grant for 13 new animated episodes, it was jointly announced Monday by Bruce D. Johnson, president and CEO, PorchLight Entertainment; Al Jerome, president and CEO, KCET; and Robert L. Rose, vice president-strategic growth and development, CIGNA Corp. The series, which premiered in September 1996, is produced by PorchLight Entertainment in association with KCET/Los Angeles. LEVEL 1 - 2 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 BPI Communications, Inc. The Hollywood Reporter June 17, 1997 LENGTH: 346 words HEADLINE: 'Summer Blast' triggers a Fox Kids Net explosion 10 new shows for weekdays, Saturdays BYLINE: Jonathan Davies BODY: Fox Kids Network is overhauling its weekday and Saturday lineups under the banner "Summer Blast" and will expand its spread of children's programming even further in the fall. Changes to the Fox Kids slate, announced during the weekend at the network's affiliates meeting in San Francisco and due to kick in July 5, includes four new shows, six previously announced programs and an entirely new Friday-only lineup dubbed "Fox Kids Countdown to the Weekend" to take effect in the fall. The new LEVEL 1 - 1 OF 170 STORIES Copyright (c) 1997 Business Wire, Inc. Business Wire June 23, 1997, Monday - 12:16 Eastern Time DISTRIBUTION: Business/Entertainment Editors LENGTH: 1232 words HEADLINE: CIGNA Corp. renews underwriting grant for "Adventures from The Book of Virtues" television series on PBS DATELINE: LOS ANGELES BODY: June 23, 1997--CIGNA Corp. has renewed its commitment to the PBS family series "Adventures from The Book of Virtues" by providing a second production underwriting grant for 13 new animated episodes, it was jointly announced Monday by Bruce D. Johnson, president and CEO, PorchLight Entertainment; Al Jerome, president and CEO, KCET; and Robert L. Rose, vice president-strategic growth and development, CIGNA Corp. (c) Business Wire, June 23, 1997, Monday The series, which premiered in September 1996, is produced by PorchLight Entertainment in association with KCET/Los Angeles. The new episodes of "Adventures" will tackle such important virtues as integrity, trustworthiness, charity, gratitude, honor and patience, to name a few. In each 30-minute episode, heroes and larger-than-life characters from the world's greatest literature come to life to help illustrate different virtues for Zach and Annie, the children in the series. Based on William J. Bennett's best-selling "The Book of Virtues," the series introduces children and families to time-honored, classic stories from around the world, including Greek mythology, European fairy tales, African folklore and many others. The program is designed to enlighten, inspire and spark the imagination of children everywhere while illustrating a central theme through the classic stories, such as the swiss tale of "William Tell" for Courage, the native American story "The Indian Cinderella" for Honesty, the Asian story of "Ghenghis Khan" for Self Discipline, etc. The new episodes are scheduled to premiere on PBS in early 1998. (c) Business Wire, June 23, 1997, Monday CIGNA is a new, but very active supporter of children's public television programming. In early 1996, CIGNA joined the ranks of companies committed to quality television by providing a major underwriting grant for the first 13 episodes of "Adventures." "This series fits so well with our corporate philosophy of 'A Business of Caring'," said Rose. "And because of this great fit, we've been able to incorporate the 'Adventures' sponsorship into all marketing activities, from print and TV advertising, to our 'Bring Your Child to Work' day." "CIGNA has been the ideal corporate sponsor. Their interest and commitment goes much deeper than a standard advertiser," said Johnson, executive producer of 'Adventures.' "They have truly embraced the series and incorporated the themes into their business dealings and marketing. " To date, the series has won multiple awards and critical acclaim from viewers and critics alike, including the Angel Award from Excellence in Media, the Faith and Values Award from MovieGuide, A Best Bet from TV Guide and an endorsement from Viewers for Quality Television. In addition, the Web site for the series (www.pbs.org/adventures) has received more than 1.5 million hits and hundreds of e-mails from viewers, citing their enjoyment and appreciation of the series. (c) Business Wire, June 23, 1997, Monday "We are grateful to CIGNA for its continued support of this important series, which makes the world's most enduring stories so accessible to audiences," said Jerome of KCET. Some of the specific activities that CIGNA has undertaken in support of "Adventures" include creating a full page ad featuring the importance of positive children's television within its current "HELP" campaign (created by DDBNeedham) for inclusion in their regularly scheduled media rotation. In addition, CIGNA is planning to include "Adventures" products (videos, books, T-shirts, board games, etc.) in their 50,000+ employee catalog. Expanding the program to a more grassroots effort, The CIGNA Residential Program and Michigan Educators Insurance Agency contacted various districts' superintendents of schools. These schools received three "Adventures" tapes, "The Book of Virtues" and "The Children's Book of Virtues" for the library. Third grade children were then shown the tapes and asked to draw or write stories about what they learned. Each classroom had first and second place winners, who were awarded a copy of "The Children's Book of Virtues" and a specially designed "Adventures" water bottle. The Michigan Educators Insurance Agency program will roll out to other schools and church Sunday schools throughout 1997-1998. (c) Business Wire, June 23, 1997, Monday CIGNA in-school efforts have been applauded by participating teachers. "Developing character is so very important in the education of our youngsters," said participating teacher Marla Owen. "(The kids) really enjoyed it and I know it was a very positive learning experience. I have already shared this program with several other first grade teachers in Inlay. All of us thank you very much!" In its support of "Adventures," CIGNA joins a group of strong entertainment companies who have also made large commitments to the series, including Warner Home Video, Simon & Schuster, Reader's Digest, Twentieth Century Fox, and more than a dozen licensees for products like plush toys, puzzles, board games and apparel. In addition, PBS Video recently released a full year curriculum based on the series which is now available nationwide for teaching character education in elementary schools. "Adventures" is made possible by a generous grant from CIGNA, A Business of Caring, and by The Arthur Vining Davis Foundation. Additional funding provided by the John M. Olin Foundation and PBS. (c) Business Wire, June 23, 1997, Monday Founded in 1995 by veteran entertainment executives Bruce D. Johnson and William T. Baumann, PorchLight Entertainment is committed to the creation, development, production and distribution of high quality entertainment for worldwide family audiences in a variety of media. Since its formation, PorchLight has garnered a great deal of attention from broadcasters and media alike for its unique and high quality family programming. In addition to its animated and live action series for children, the company also produces telefilms, documentaries, CD-ROMS and technologically advanced entertaining episodic content for the Internet. KCET, broadcasting to Southern and Central California for more than 30 years, is an award-winning producer of national and local television programs and series. It is currently producing the children's reading series "Storytime," the acclaimed PBS preschool series "The Puzzle Place," and will be premiering the new Shari Lewis children's series, "The Charlie Horse Music Pizza" in January. CIGNA's businesses rank among the largest health care, insurance and financial services organizations in the United States and also include one of the largest U.S.-based international organizations. CIGNA has consolidated assets of approximately $ 95.4 billion and shareholders' equity of (c) Business Wire, June 23, 1997, Monday approximately $ 6.9 billion. CONTACT: PorchLight Entertainment Jill Newhouse Calcaterra, 310/477-8400, ext. 138 or CIGNA Corp. Ed Faruolo, 860/726-8308 or KCET/Los Angeles Laurel Lambert, 213/953-5246 LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: June 23, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 2 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 BPI Communications, Inc. The Hollywood Reporter June 17, 1997 LENGTH: 346 words HEADLINE: 'Summer Blast' triggers a Fox Kids Net explosion 10 new shows for weekdays, Saturdays BYLINE: Jonathan Davies BODY: Fox Kids Network is overhauling its weekday and Saturday lineups under the banner "Summer Blast" and will expand its spread of children's programming even further in the fall. Changes to the Fox Kids slate, announced during the weekend at the network's affiliates meeting in San Francisco and due to kick in July 5, includes four new shows, six previously announced programs and an entirely new Friday-only lineup dubbed "Fox Kids Countdown to the Weekend" to take effect in the fall. The new The Hollywood Reporter, June 17, 1997 series are the live-action "Chimp Lips Theater" and "Round the Twist" and the animated "Stickin' Around" and "Newton." "We are excited to announce our new summer and fall schedule with an unprecedented debut of 10 new series," said Margaret Loesch, chairman and CEO of Fox Kids Networks Worldwide. "Our successful combination of innovative programming, creative scheduling and smart marketing will continue to keep us strong in today's incredibly competitive kids market." As of July 5, the "Summer Blast Saturday" schedule will start at 8 a.m. with "Big Bad BeetleBorgs," followed by "Power Rangers Turbo," "Spider-Man" and "Casper." "Goosebumps," "Eerie, Indiana," "Life With Louie" and "X-Men" will keep their existing time periods. "Stickin' Around," from Nelvana Entertainment, will join the weekday roster July 7 at 4 p.m., followed by the Australian Children's Television Workshop's "Round the Twist" at 4:30 p.m. "Bobby's World" will air at 7:30 and 8 a.m. weekdays, and "The Adventures of Batman & Robin" will be seen at 3 p.m. followed by "Eek!stravaganza" at 3:30 p.m. "Chimp Lips Theater," from Fox Kids Network partner Saban Entertainment in association with Spliced Bread Prods., will be previewed during the summer but The Hollywood Reporter, June 17, 1997 no date has been set, a Fox spokeswoman said. "Countdown to the Weekend," which will be added to the schedule in the fall, will include "C-Bear and Jamal" at 7 a.m., with more details to be announced at the network's summer press tour next month. Other changes include the addition of "Newton," the second new show from Nelvana. LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: June 17, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 3 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Information Access Company, a Thomson Corporation Company; IAC(SM) Industry Express(SM); Copyright 1997 Newsbytes Inc. Newsbytes June 16, 1997 LENGTH: 765 words HEADLINE: Regulations Needed For Children's Web Sites 06/16/97 BYLINE: Pietrucha, Bill BODY: WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1997 JUN 16 (NB) -- REPEAT/By Bill Pietrucha. Web sites for children can be more intrusive and manipulative "than the worst children's television, " according to the Center for Media Education, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) needs to take a leadership role within the "global information infrastructure."The Center for Media Education told the FTC's workshop on online privacy that "It is time to protect computer users, especially children, from online privacy invasions." Newsbytes June 16, 1997 Jeff Chester, CME director, said "We have to keep online marketers out of the 'cookie jar.' Such 'Orwellian' practices to stealthily track every move made online, and share that information with other companies, should be prohibited." Chester was referring to "cookie" technology, which makes it possible to read information on users' computers and find out where they go on the Internet. "Online advertisers use cookies to track a user's movements across the Internet," he said. "Cookies can store personal preferences of viewers and act as markers telling advertisers which Web pages a viewer has visited. By collecting this information, advertisers can tailor their marketing to the specific interests of the individual, he said, "done without the knowledge of the child or adult who is using the Internet." Chester claimed that, over the past year, since CME released its study, "Web of Deception: Threats to Children from Online Marketing, " the number of children using online services has increased substantially. In 1996, four million children ages two to 17 used online services, nearly double the number of users in 1995. Newsbytes June 16, 1997 Chester told the workshop that, over the past year, CME found that the use of marketing and advertising practices that are potentially harmful to children "has increased. These practices include the invasion of children's privacy through solicitation of detailed personal information and tracking of online computer use. "A growing number of children's areas are eliciting personal information from children including their names, street addresses, e-mail addresses, ages, and sex," he said. "Some sites are even more intrusive and ask questions about how many people are in the child's household, the child's access to a computer, and the type of computer the child is using." Other sites demand to know which is the child's favorite television program, favorite television commercial, favorite musical group, and favorite sport, or use incentives, promising free gifts, such as T-shirts, mousepads, and screen savers, in exchange for such personal data as e-mail address, street address, purchasing behavior and preferences, and information about other family members. "Disclosures of personal information often are mandatory when a child wants to play a game, join a club, or enter a contest," he said. "Other Web sites require children to complete registration forms and questionnaires in order to proceed into the site." Newsbytes June 16, 1997 Chester cautioned that "Youngsters are considerably less capable than adults of discerning the motives behind such giveaways, contests, and surveys, and easily fall prey to such marketing techniques." Chester noted that one company, Bradley Madison Co., has designed software, called "Birds of a Feather," to "overcome the hurdle of consumer concern for privacy, and still collect online marketing data." The software, which is distributed for free, enables individuals with similar interests to find each other, he said. The users enroll anonymously through passwords, and the software company then tracks their online movements and sells the aggregate data to marketers. Chester noted that "tracking tools essentially force individuals to act unwittingly as their own direct mail agents." Chester said that http://www.kidscom.com "continues to be one of the more invasive sites on the Web, requesting an incredible amount of personal information from children who wish to participate in their games." Kidscom asks children for their address, the number of people in their household, their birth date, favorite television program, favorite commercial, Newsbytes June 16, 1997 favorite musical group, favorite sport, and career plans. Chester said that Web sites catering to children should adopt an "opt-in" model if they choose to seek information from children, requiring that a parent "affirmatively authorize his child's participation before the site can request information." (19970616/Press Contact: Shelley Pasnik, Center for Media Education, 202-682-2620. Reported by Newsbytes News Network: http://www.newsbytes.com) LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: June 17, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 4 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 PR Newswire Association, Inc. PR Newswire June 6, 1997, Friday SECTION: Financial News DISTRIBUTION: TO BUSINESS EDITOR LENGTH: 889 words HEADLINE: Treasure Chest Television Experiencing Dramatic Growth DATELINE: NEW YORK, June 6 BODY: "Treasure Chest Television has literally exploded onto the children's television scene," according to TCTV Executive Vice President Ronald Garnett. Since January of 1997, TCTV has expanded its coverage to reach over 50 million broadcast households and 30 million cable households. "Our goal is to provide advertisers with a children's programming platform capable of penetrating at least 70% of TV viewing households," stated Garnett at a recent press PR Newswire, June 6, 1997 conference. TCTV attributes its explosive growth, in part, to a convergence of recent FCC, White House and Congressional Rulings which mandate that broadcasters air improved quality children's programming, along with the latest Supreme Court decision on March 31, 1997 upholding the "must carry" cable rules. According to company officials, TCTV represents a two-fold solution to a pressing need. First, advertisers can now reach a well-defined, highly influential children's (and their parents') market. Second, TCTV presents a socially responsible solution to the problem of rising children's violence, which some experts claim is caused by inappropriate television content. Often referred to as "edu-tainment television," Treasure Chest TV goes beyond basic curricular learning. It stirs kids' imaginations through a wide variety of entertaining, pro-social and positive mind-expanding programming which encourages young people to think, to hope and to dream. TCTV's exclusive family fare includes the much acclaimed "New Zoo Revue," "Animated Classics" and "Bookmice." "New Zoo Revue" has won fifteen honors, including four-star ratings from the National Educational Association and the American School Board Association. "Bookmice," a Gold Award winner at the Cairo International Film Festival for Children, also received the Silver Award at the New York International Film and Video Festival. PR Newswire, June 6, 1997 A collaborative effort of media entrepreneurs, Treasure Chest Television derives its social oversight and content review from a distinguished advisory board comprised of award-winning television production and advertising professionals, child psychologists, educators and family advocacy groups which include the Center for The Study and Prevention of Violence, The American Center for Children's Television, UCLA Graduate School of Education, UCSB's Department of Communication, Turtle Creek Productions, and Imagine That! Entertainment. TCTV has been officially recognized in many of the municipalities where the "infant network" has recently debuted, including Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Dallas. According to Garnett, "Treasure Chest's explosive growth has been accomplished by its widespread acceptance from an increasing number of independent broadcasters, networks and cable operators. This acceptance has enabled us to reach a growing number of U.S. households and provide children's product merchandisers with an alternative way to target an affluent market of children and responsible parents who care about the type of programming available to young people." TCTV is currently broadcasting in 18 of the top 20 television markets (known as DMAs - demographic market areas). TCTV is continuing its aggressive expansion by adding new markets at the brisk clip of nearly one per week. PR Newswire, June 6, 1997 TCTV has been assisted in its network expansion by Washington, DC based SpectraMedia, Inc. SpectraMedia, a marketing, communications and financial consulting firm, has entered into a contractual arrangement with the new network, giving it licensing rights to distribute TCTV in various local markets. Mark Prager, Spectra's President, explains that "Spectra and its partners have gone into key markets with a business plan based on operating independent cable network affiliates. Our objectives are the same as Treasure Chest's -- to provide advertisers and sponsors with a means of reaching concerned parents and their children, but on a local level." Children's product merchandisers now have a dynamic way to capitalize on their target markets. According to the 1996 Meyers Report, advertisers targeting children aged 2-11 now spend over $730 million annually. Having created a network dedicated to providing nonviolent, educational and entertaining children's programming, TCTV has developed a niche market not adequately served by its competitors. This market is being driven by a growing awareness among parents, educators and lawmakers that much of children's TV is too violent, inappropriate or outright irresponsible. "Treasure Chest's programs launched only three months ago and can be viewed by children in over 30 million cable homes," Garnett told attendees at a recent network strategy gathering. "Treasure Chest TV allows concerned parents to provide their children with entertaining viewing alternatives PR Newswire, June 6, 1997 without concern for improper or potentially damaging content." "Treasure Chest TV is television for the future," adds Prager. "It's children's TV with an IQ." Interested press, broadcasters, advertisers, corporate sponsors and children's advocacy groups are encouraged to contact Treasure Chest Television via phone (212) 285-1111, fax (212) 572-6499, or e-mail IQTV@TreasureChestTV.com. SOURCE Treasure Chest Television Network CONTACT: Donna McDermott of Treasure Chest Television Network, 212-285-1111, IQTV@TreasureChestTV.com LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: June 7, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 5 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Lebhar-Friedman Inc. Discount Store News June 2, 1997 SECTION: Pg. 47 LENGTH: 1658 words HEADLINE: DIRECT-TO-VIDEO, BRANDED KIDVIDS EXPLORE NEW RETAIL VENTURES BYLINE: Robert Scally BODY: As home video and licensed consumer products sales grow ever more intertwined, direct-to-video and branded children's video lines are becoming more prominent at retail. All of the major home video companies have direct-to-video kidvids and most tie in with some form of licensed merchandise. Discount Store News June 2, 1997 Industry leader Disney's Buena Vista Home Entertainment will release its direct-to-video "Beauty and the Beast" sequel, "The Enchanted Christmas," on Nov. 11, (prebook Sept. 30) and a new direct-to-video animated film "Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin," will street Aug. 5, (prebook June 24). Buena Vista's fourth quarter slate also includes "Old Yeller" (street date Oct. 7, prebook Aug. 26) along with the first home video re-release of "Sleeping Beauty" in 11 years. The return of "Sleeping Beauty" on Sept. 16 (prebook Aug. 5) marks a milestone of sorts for sell-through video. When "Sleeping Beauty" was released on home video for the first time in 1986, it became the first home video to sell 1 million units. Buena Vista put "Sleeping Beauty" on moratorium for 11 years, and the title was part of the studio's plan to keep its classic in mass market release for limited periods of time. Recent re-releases of Disney animated classics that have been on moratorium for several years have outsold their original releases, according to a Buena Vista Home Entertainment spokeswoman. Discount Store News June 2, 1997 With the departure of Ann Daly as president of Buena Vista's domestic and international home video, operations have merged under the direction of Michael Johnson as president of Buena Vista Home Entertainment. Johnson formerly ran the international side of Buena Vista's home video operations. In an interview at the International Mass Retail Association convention last month in Orlando, Fla., Johnson said Buena Vista operations will now take a world view. "We're going to globalize the whole unit," Johnson said. "There's a natural tendency when you set up two units for people to think about the task at hand. Now we want people to think about the world at hand." Johnson said that Buena Vista won't take its eye off the North American market but will pursue new market inroads overseas. "We're really convinced that direct-to-video is going to be a tremendous business here in the United States, and we probably need to get a little more sophisticated with how we do it overseas," he said. "The Enchanted Christmas" and "Pooh's Grand Adventure" can do well overseas if they gain the right sales momentum in the United States, Johnson said. The biggest obstacle to expanding Disney's direct-to-video product line is getting the dialog dubbed into other languages. "The animation has to be put in 30 different tongues," Johnson said. Discount Store News June 2, 1997 Video sell-through holds the same potential for profits for retailers overseas as it does in the United States, but the rental market overseas still needs development. Part of Johnson's mission as head of the newly unified domestic and international video operation will be to build the rental business overseas. "We're using a lot of different tactics to try to invigorate that [rental] business overseas," Johnson said. "There's not an established rental retail business in countries like France, Spain, Italy and Germany," Johnson said. "Blockbuster has sited in on it, and they're moving in, but they can't do it alone." Part of helping to build the rental business overseas may involve giving some foreign executives some stateside experience. "We may do some cross-pollination and bring in some European executives and let them work in the U.S. operation for limited periods of time to let them pick up on not only how the product flows but how the marketing distribution systems work here," Johnson said. Competition between the studios for the direct-to-video kids' market is heating up. Discount Store News June 2, 1997 Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment recently announced a new direct-to-video branded line, Fox Kids Video. Universal Studios Home Video announced that it plans to work with Harvey Entertainment and Steven Speilberg's Amblin Entertainment to produce a direct-to-video sequel to the 1995 hit "Casper." The first wave of titles in the Fox Kids Video lines, which carry two price points of either $5.98 or $9.98, will street July 29 (prebook July 7 for singles and June 7 for prepacks). Initial releases will include "Spider-Man," "BeetleBorgs" and a line of "Dr. Suess" titles. "'Dr. Seuss' has been a big seller for us for a long time, and we've been acquiring product," said Brad Kirk, senior vp of marketing at Twentieth Century Fox Home Video. "We started working more closely with the Fox Kids Network, and it added up to a point where we had enough quality product that we decided to leverage what had worked for us with the branded collections we already had to try to make a big statement both to consumers and to retailers," Kirk said. "We've been assembling this collection for years, and it finally all came together." Discount Store News June 2, 1997 The studio's aim is to get retailers to establish Fox Kids Video sections in the video sell-through departments, Kirk said. "We want to make this a destination and make it easy for consumers to shop it." Fox displayed new in-line racks and new iconographic signage designed for mass merchant outlets, last month at IMRA. "We think it gives our product a really distinct look and makes it easy for consumers to find us," said Ray Gagnon, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment's vp for sell-through. Fox is also bringing Saban Entertainment's "Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie" to the little screen on July 8 (prebook June 9) at a minimum advertised price of $12.95. The release of "Turbo" includes a $2 mail-in rebate. If consumers buy both "Turbo" and the previous Power Rangers film "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers," they are eligible for an additional $3 rebate. Sony Wonder, the studio that produces brand videos of Sesame Street with its creator Children's Television Workshop, is also reaching across categories with its new releases, said Wendy Moss, president of Sony Wonder. Discount Store News June 2, 1997 Sony Wonder's latest Sesame Street title "Elmo Says BOO!" (with a suggested retail price of $12.98) is being merchandised with the "Who's Afraid of Elmo?" book and tape package, priced at $6.98. "Elmo Says BOO!" marks the first time that CTW has produced a Halloween-themed video. Also due out is "1 2 3 Count With Me," priced at $12.98, which is aimed more at the Back-to-School market. All three Sesame Street titles street July 8 and have a prebook date of June 12. Sony Wonder is also having a lot of success with "Rainbow Fish," and there are opportunities for cross-merchandising. Costume maker Disguise will be among the licensees that will be cross-merchandising with "Elmo Says BOO!" Paramount Home Video is capitalizing on the popularity of the animated "Rugrats" TV show with "Rugrats Vacation," a direct-to-video release that will street July 8 (prebook June 3). Paramount and Viacom Consumer Products are also making a special united marketing push for its Corduroy character, pitching accounts on video, book and toy products simultaneously. Paramount and Viacom execs are trying to Discount Store News June 2, 1997 convince retailers that having all three products cross-merchandised with each other makes a bigger statement than carrying any one of the lines, said Neil Newman, Viacom Consumer Products vp, strategic property development. Lyrick Studios has even come up with a specially encoded direct-to-video title that can activate Microsoft's ActiMates talking plush Barney toy. Barney Home Video's "Camp WannaRunnaRound" is encoded with a special track that can interact with a transmitter that plugs into a VCR. A "PC Pack" device that plugs into a home computer and works with the plush toy and a CD-ROM will also be available. The ActiMates Barney and TV Packs will be available this fall. "Camp WannaRunnaRound" will street July 8 (prebook June 10) and will sell for $14.95. The talking plush toy will retail for a suggested list price of $99, the TV Pack and PC Pack with CD-ROM will sell for $59 each. Other new franchises are springing from partnerships from video suppliers and publishers. PolyGram Video and Random House Children's Publishing have joined forces to create "The Crayon Box." Discount Store News June 2, 1997 "The Crayon Box" will debut this fall as a syndicated television series partnered with PolyGram's popular "Bananas In Pajamas." PolyGram and Random House will jointly control the licensing of the product line that will include books, toys and a CD-ROM. LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: June 11, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 6 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Crain Communications Inc. Electronic Media June 02, 1997 SECTION: Opinion; Pg. 28 LENGTH: 760 words HEADLINE: GUEST COMMENTARY: HOW DO YOU MAKE ONE STRONG BRAND OUT OF TWO? BYLINE: Todd Berman BODY: As media and entertainment entities continue to merge, acquire other media groups and form joint ventures, many marketers are being challenged by the task of incorporating two or more strong brands into a single identity in the minds of the consumer. This challenge of repositioning, rejuvenating or creating a single new brand identity is also faced by promotion executives when specific programming is promoted on network or cable television and in syndication. Electronic Media, June 02, 1997 National Geographic Television has faced this challenge in broadcast and cable television domestically, in our international distribution efforts and in our recently announced joint venture with NBC on the development of our own National Geographic Channel outlet. In the 1990s, as the global village continues to grow tighter and technology provides instant access to information around the world, the strength of branding products and services has become a key ingredient to market advantage and controlling market share. What Coca-Cola and McDonald's have done so successfully for decades is now the mandate in business development-ensure that every consumer recognizes your brand instantly and associates it with a quality product or service that is necessary to maintaining or creating the lifestyle they desire. At National Geographic, we're not selling NGT, NBC, TBS, or PBS-we're selling informative family entertainment ''product'' through the perception that it benefits the lifestyle of the consumer. How do we capitalize on our existing brand to launch a new channel while still crediting our local partners for their contribution of expertise? Electronic Media, June 02, 1997 How do we maintain the integrity of the brand while we continue to extend it to so many products, services and outlets beyond our immediate control? These are but a few of the questions faced by marketers in all media companies as we approach the new millennium. NGT's children's television programming, the docudramas being produced in association with Hallmark Entertainment, the large-format films produced for Destination Cinemas, CD-ROM, books and videos all carry the universally recognized ''yellow border'' of National Geographic's flagship publication. Over the past 100 years, this border has become synonymous with informative and entertaining stories about the world and all that is in it. Blending that image with our broadcast and cable partners around the world has been simplified by the fact that we choose to align ourselves with like-minded companies. For some companies, however, it may be equally as powerful to establish a new brand, as witnessed by Microsoft and NBC's joint MSNBC. Electronic Media, June 02, 1997 By combining the Microsoft name, the world's leader in computer software and technology services, with NBC, the leader among news and entertainment broadcast networks, the new channel acquires the combined identity of both companies in the mind of the consumer, who knows immediately what to expect from the new network. While consumers may initially be mystified by a new Time Warner-Turner or Disney-ABC-Cap Cities brand, we are fortunate in our ability to capitalize on the National Geographic identity already established in so much of the world today. As we approach the new millennium, I believe it will be the marketer's primary responsibility to establish, reposition and entrench these newly forged brands in the minds of the masses. While this responsibility represents tremendous challenges for all of us, it also benefits us by expanding the role of the qualified marketer, increasing our value to the corporate hierarchy. Todd Berman is vice president, marketing and distribution, National Geographic Television, Washington. GRAPHIC: Electronic Media, June 02, 1997 LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: June 05, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 7 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 News World Communications, Inc. The Washington Times June 2, 1997, Monday, Final Edition SECTION: Part NATION: PUBLIC TELEVISION; Pg. 13 LENGTH: 968 words HEADLINE: Who Receives the Big Bucks From Big Bird and Barney? BYLINE: John Berlau; INSIGHT BODY: SUMMARY: The beloved children's programs, though financed by tax dollars, are leaving taxpayers holding the bag. TEXT: Many parents paid big bucks last December to get their children the popular holiday toy Tickle Me Elmo, a red, furry Sesame Street character that lets out a high-pitched laugh when his stomach is poked. These parents probably would not be tickled to know that, in addition to cleaning out their Christmas money, Elmo is giggling all the way to the bank because of the sweet deal he The Washington Times, June 2, 1997 gets from their tax dollars. Elmo, Big Bird and many other creatures loved by children, including Barney the purple dinosaur, are televised into American playrooms from the nonprofit Public Broadcasting Service, or PBS, which receives more than 12.3 percent, or $27.5 million, of its support from the federal government. The rest of it is tax free from member stations, educational institutions that use the network's services and corporations. When House Speaker Newt Gingrich and other leaders of the House Republican majority tried to phase out tax support for the network in 1995, PBS advocates used the children's characters as powerful weapons in their successful campaign to preserve federal funding. Rep. Nita Lowey, a New York Democrat, extolled the virtues of PBS by putting Bert and Ernie puppets on her hands, and bumper stickers exhorted concerned parents to "Save Barney from Newt." Truth be told, it's the multimillionaire Barney who could have saved Newt by loaning him $300,000 to pay his ethics-committee bill. As Gingrich's benefactor Bob Dole put it in a 1993 Senate floor speech, "Barney is not just a dinosaur, he is a cash cow.i [S]ales of Barney merchandise could reach one-half billion dollars per year and the licensing fees merchandisers pay for the privilege of making more than 200 Barney products could be as high as $50 million per year." Dole said he was not troubled by Barney & Friends making money, but what he The Washington Times, June 2, 1997 did "have a problem with is the fact that despite putting up $2.25 million between them - much of it tax dollars - to launch Barney & Friends last year, the taxpayer-supported Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Public Broadcasting Service have not seen one dime from Barney merchandise." The Sesame Street characters also have learned to count eight- and nine-digit merchandising numbers. In his 1996 book, PBS: Behind the Screen, Laurence Jarvik called the children's program "an infomercial for the 5,000-plus licensed Sesame Street products that gross over $800 million in retail sales around the world each year." Sesame Street's production company, the Children's Television Workshop, or CTW, took in an average of slightly less than $20 million a year in licensing fees from merchandise and total revenues of $112 million in 1996, according to CTW public-affairs manager Janice Hearty. Yet, the federal government still provided $4.6 million this year for Sesame Street production costs, according to Stu Kantor, PBS' director of corporate communications. Tim Graham, an associate editor at the Alexandria, Va.-based Media Research Center, has bought merchandise from the PBS children's shows for his young son but is outraged that his tax money also is funding these same programs. "This is the sort of thing that makes you want to beat Big Bird with a stick," Graham tells Insight. The Washington Times, June 2, 1997 Conservative critics of PBS such as Jarvik and Graham say that PBS could survive without federal support if the network could offset some costs by getting its fair share of merchandising money from shows such as Barney & Friends and Sesame Street. Boardwalk Entertainment President Alan Wagner, who calls himself a fan of PBS and is a consultant for a Markle Foundation project to increase private funding of the network, agrees that PBS could reduce its dependence on federal support if it could get some of the merchandising revenues of its shows. "Nobody in any part of broadcasting now gives away merchandising rights to the producer," says Wagner, who has served as a vice president for CBS and original chief executive officer of the Disney Channel cable network. "Everybody - every distributor, every network - tries to get a piece of the merchandising and marketing. " He says that PBS, which was set up as a nonprofit public-service system, should be run more like a commercial network. Officials with PBS and the federal government's Corporation for Public Broadcasting received $260 million from Congress this year. CPB has allotted 75 percent of the budget to television programming and 25 percent to radio. Both CPB and PBS say they are taking steps to get some of the merchandising money. CPB recently instituted a policy to recoup one-half of its investment if a program makes large profits on merchandise. But Jarvik tells Insight that "CPB should be treated like an investor" with a larger share in profits. He says the policy even contains loopholes to allow producers to hide profits by running The Washington Times, June 2, 1997 up high costs. And CPB still won't get anything from Barney & Friends and Sesame Street, since the policy only applies to new programs. PBS' Kantor says it has renegotiated to receive a percentage - the amount of which he refuses to specify - of royalties from Barney & Friends. He explains that Sesame Street, however, still does not give anything to CPB or PBS because CTW is nonprofit and reinvests revenues in the program. CTW's Hearty says the company spends $3 million more than it makes. Jarvik, however, questions where the money is reinvested, noting that five of its executives make six-figure salaries higher than the U.S. president's. He concludes that although PBS proponents "claim that public television belongs to the public," it is, in reality, "a private fiefdom for a select few." GRAPHIC: Photos (color), Elmo: Sweet deal for CTW., By Lee Van Grack/Insight LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: June 2, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 8 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Information Access Company, a Thomson Corporation Company IAC (SM) Newsletter Database (TM) EPM Communications, Inc Licensing Letter June 1, 1997 SECTION: No. 11, Vol. 21; ISSN: 8755-6235 LENGTH: 291 words HEADLINE: Who's News:People BODY: Paul Epner, formerly Executive VP Operations, named President, Hang Ten. Michael Wakeman, ex-Mattel, named General Manager, Licensed Products Strategic Business Unit, Gibson Greetings. Craig Kalter leaves as VP Marketing, French Toast, to form consulting company Marathon Projects, continuing to work with French Toast, as well as Licensing Letter June 1, 1997 other manufacturers. Carol Orgel Postal, ex- Children's Television Workshop, forms C.O.P. Corp., licensing consultancy aimed at packaging properties for retail presentation and development. Linda Berman, principal of Fig. 1 consulting company, named Executive VP, MGM Consumer Products Rick Goralnick, ex-Hasbro, named VP Licensing, Syratech Corp., parent of Farberware, Towle, Wallace Silversmiths, International Silver, others. Catherine Rocco, ex-Marvel and Jim Henson Productions, named Manager Consumer Products, USA Networks. Deborah Smith named Manager of Marketing and Licensing, ASPCA; Robyn Joi Sonntag named Account Executive in Marketing and Licensing. Pamela Harris, ex-Spumco and Sony Signatures Licensing, joins Art Impressions as Senior Licensing Manager. Licensing Letter June 1, 1997 Lonna Buinis, ex-Johnson Communications, joins Britt Allcroft Co. in New York as Licensing Manager. Brice Diedrick, ex-Licensing Connection and Creative Licensing Concepts, named Director of Marketing of JMW Group, with responsibilities including heading up newly formed JMW Licensing. Rosanna McCollough, ex-Neutrogena, named Executive Director of Marketing, Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising; Sylvia Graham, ex-MGM/UA Licensing & Merchandising, named Manager International Licensing. Nicole Mealu advances to Senior Licensing Coordinator, Ensesco. COPYRIGHT 1997 EPM Communications, Inc. LANGUAGE: ENGLISH IAC-ACC-NO: 03699464 ND LOAD-DATE: June 21, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 9 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Business Wire, Inc. Business Wire May 29, 1997, Thursday DISTRIBUTION: Business Editors LENGTH: 1317 words HEADLINE: Scholastic Announces Comprehensive Plan To Refocus Company And Improve Profitability DATELINE: NEW YORK BODY: May 29, 1997-- Includes $ 25 Million In Annual Cost Savings; Steps To Grow Core Businesses, Improve Margins Expects Break-Even Results In Current Fiscal Year, Improved Performance Next Year Wins San Francisco Adoption For Reading Textbooks, Ninth Major Recent School Award; Plans To Sell Home Office Computing(R) Magazine Business Wire, May 29, 1997 Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) today announced a comprehensive plan designed to refocus the Company on its core businesses and significantly improve profitability in the fiscal year beginning June 1, 1997 and beyond. The plan includes new cost-cutting measures expected to save at least $ 25 million per year as well as initiatives to increase growth and improve margins in Scholastic's four core businesses. Scholastic now expects approximately break-even results in the fiscal year ending May 31, 1997, due to lower than expected fourth quarter revenues (particularly related to Goosebumps(R)), further increases in reserves for trade book returns and inventory, and additional restructuring charges related to new cost-reduction actions. Based on its plan, Scholastic expects significantly improved earnings and positive cash flow in the new fiscal year starting June 1, 1997. The Company also announced that the Scholastic Literacy Place(R) instructional reading program has been selected by the San Francisco school system, the latest of nine major textbook awards received this year by Scholastic and one of many recent adoptions of the product. Scholastic's plan includes the following initiatives: Business Wire, May 29, 1997 -- Focus on Growing Four Core Businesses -- Scholastic will focus on increasing revenues and improving margins in its four core businesses -- Children's Books, the largest contributor to revenues and profits; Instructional Publishing, which is expected to report a substantial swing to profitability in the new fiscal year after a period of losses due to investment spending; Media & Technology, which is expected to have a transitional year; and International, which is expected to produce increased earnings in the new fiscal year. Scholastic will pursue targeted growth strategies and cost-cutting steps in all four businesses, while maintaining its long-term commitment to reading and literacy. Specific steps include: Children's Books (1) Reinvigorate the book clubs by appealing to teachers with more exclusive products, better promotion, simplified ordering and improved service; (2) Rebuild the trade book business by further developing promising new series such as Animorphs(TM) and Dear America(TM); launching titles such as I Spy(TM) Challenger, Miss Spider's New Car, and a new series from Bill Cosby; and relaunching Goosebumps in early 1998 with new branding and focus; and (3) Increase book fair revenues by expanding profitable premium book fairs. Instructional Publishing (1) Focus on literacy and basal reading, building on the growing success of Business Wire, May 29, 1997 Scholastic Literacy Place, Scholastic's new core reading program, which has recently been adopted by major school districts across the country including San Francisco, San Bernardino, Bakersfield and Long Beach, CA; Atlanta, GA; Tampa, FL; Des Moines, IA; Milwaukee, WI; and by the Department of Defense for use in its overseas schools; (2) Consolidate sales, marketing and promotion of all instructional products into a single school group to reduce costs and unify presentation; and (3) Expand profitable supplementary publishing activities. Media & Technology (1) Develop Scholastic Productions television programs to support major franchises such as Animorphs and Clifford(TM); (2) Use licensing and merchandising to generate profits and boost related book sales; (3) Continue marketing the Scholastic Network(TM) on the Internet while reducing development costs; (4) Partner with a major distributor to distribute select CD-ROMs in the trade; (5) Develop additional early reading software for school and home use based on the profitable Wiggleworks(R) model; and (6) Expand the successful school software clubs. International (1) Consolidate operations in the United Kingdom to improve profitability; (2) Continue growing the Company's businesses in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand; and (3) Develop cost- effective children's book distribution capability in emerging growth markets such as Mexico, India and the Far East. -- $ 25 Business Wire, May 29, 1997 Million in Annual Cost Savings -- Scholastic expects to reduce annual costs by at least $ 25 million by: (1) Eliminating over 400 positions, including an approximate 10% reduction in New York; (2) Improving productivity at its primary fulfillment and distribution facility in Jefferson City, MO; (3) Closing magazines such as Agenda, Superscience(R) Red and Math Power, and cutting losses at other magazines; (4) Subleasing 40,000 square feet of NY office space; (5) Consolidating four instructional divisions into one school group; (6) Closing its operations in France; and (7) Implementing improved purchasing terms with suppliers. -- Sell Non-Core Assets -- Scholastic has retained the investment banking firm of Veronis & Suhler to sell Home Office Computing and Small Business Computing(TM), two profitable consumer magazines for adults that do not fit Scholastic's strategic focus. -- Link Executive Compensation to Stock Performance -- Scholastic will replace a portion of cash compensation for executives with stock options in order to more closely align executive compensation with stock performance. "We are making the tough decisions and taking specific steps to position Scholastic for future growth and profitability," said Richard Robinson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Despite our current problems and difficult industry conditions, we have a sound strategic plan and our franchise remains strong. Scholastic is truly a unique company -- kids love our products, parents trust us and teachers rely on us. We have a superb brand, Business Wire, May 29, 1997 unmatched distribution through school book clubs and book fairs, a proven ability to develop best-selling trade books, a respected textbook business that is now generating major school contracts, a flourishing international business, a track record of developing hit children's television shows based on our own properties, and growing multimedia skills. All of these capabilities will benefit our shareholders in the years to come." For more than 75 years, Scholastic has been committed to creating quality educational materials for students and teachers. The Company is one of the leading publishers and distributors of children's books, classroom magazines, instructional materials and other educational products. Scholastic also publishes educational software and produces children's and family-oriented video and television programming. The Company's international operations include Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Mexico. -0- this press release contains certain forward-looking statements which are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including the condition of the children's book and instructional material markets and the acceptance of the Company's products within those markets. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated. Business Wire, May 29, 1997 CONTACT: Media: Lynn Gardner, 212/343-6833 Investors: Ray Marchuk, 212/343-6741 LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: May 30, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 10 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 PR Newswire Association, Inc. PR Newswire May 29, 1997, Thursday SECTION: Entertainment, Television, and Culture LENGTH: 686 words HEADLINE: TAMPA, Fla., May 29 BODY: Saban Entertainment (pronounced sah- BAHN) introduced John McDonough as the star of "The All New Captain Kangaroo," its nationally syndicated television series, from the show's new "Treasure House" set today in Tampa, Florida. McDonough, a third generation native of Hartford, Connecticut, was chosen for the role after the company completed an exhaustive nationwide search, in which over 1,000 candidates were considered. McDonough's 40-year background in children's educational theater, touring hundreds of elementary schools throughout Connecticut, his remarkable communications skills, and his wonderful rapport with children distinguished him as the outstanding PR Newswire, May 29, 1997 candidate for the role. "John McDonough is 'Captain Kangaroo,'" emphasized Eric Rollman, series Executive Producer and Executive VP, Production, Saban Entertainment. "He embodies the spirit, the wonderment and the pure joy of this beloved American icon." With a passion for storytelling, McDonough has recorded over 40 titles for Recorded Books, Inc. including "Heidi," "Hans Brinker" and "A Light In The Window." He has received two Regional Emmy Awards for his narrative on "Environment 2000," a series produced by Connecticut Public Television. McDonough has also appeared in such feature films as "Preacher's Wife," "I.Q.," "Darkness Overflows," "Across The Sea Of Time," "Sheetrock," and "My Divorce." In television, he played the part of Father Giovanni on NBC's long- running daytime drama, "Another World" and was a cast member in ABC's "Spenser For Hire." In addition, McDonough has performed with renowned symphonies and opera companies including The Hartford Symphony Orchestra, New Haven Symphony Orchestra, Yale School of Music, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, the Glimmerglass Opera Company and L'Ensemble at Lincoln Center. PR Newswire, May 29, 1997 As the Captain, McDonough will be joined in "The All New Captain Kangaroo" series by many of the original classic characters including "Mr. Green Jeans," "Mr. Moose," "Bunny Rabbit," and "Grandfather Clock," as well as new cast members, Margo McKnight, Zoo Conservationist, Busch Gardens; Chuck Cureau, Animal Expert, Sea World; and Joey the Kangaroo. Each of the series' 26 episodes contains an important theme relating directly to needs of educators, parents and preschoolers incorporating themes such as manners, literature and music. In addition, each episode will feature a story book time, where popular books are read aloud by the Captain. "There's something enchanting about John," adds George Taweel, Producer of "The All New Captain Kangaroo." "He is warm, witty and wonderfully theatrical... attributes you hope to find in someone entertaining young children." "John is a beloved legend in his Connecticut hometown," added Rob Loos, Producer of "The All New Captain Kangaroo." "With the debut of this new series, we get to share him with all of America." An important element of the new series is Saban's partnership with Busch Entertainment Corporation. "The All New Captain Kangaroo" will be produced in South Florida in studio and on location at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay PR Newswire, May 29, 1997 and Sea World Florida, bringing together a wealth of marketing and promotional expertise in family entertainment. Other key production members include Executive Producer Haim Saban, Supervising Producer Mark S. Pinsker and Producer Elie Dekel. "The All New Captain Kangaroo," debuts this September on over 130 stations across the U.S. representing nearly 90% of the country and introduces a new version of the venerable children's series, which enjoyed a 40-year run on both the CBS Television Network (1955-1984) and on PBS (1984-1993), to a new generation of preschoolers. Saban Entertainment is a broad-based entertainment company devoted to the development, production, acquisition, distribution and merchandising of children's television programming; music and feature films; the merchandising of children's products and the development of other entertainment areas including publishing and live events. SOURCE Saban Entertainment CONTACT: Barry Stagg or Chandler Hayes, 310-235-5440 or 310-235-5433, both of Saban Entertainment PR Newswire, May 29, 1997 LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: May 30, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 11 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 BPI Communications, Inc. The Hollywood Reporter May 27, 1997 LENGTH: 552 words BODY: Ritamarie Peruggi has been promoted to vp production at Jim Henson Prods. She will oversee all physical aspects of TV and ancillary production activities worldwide. Peruggi will be based in Los Angeles and report to Martin Baker, executive vp production. Peruggi has held several posts at the company during the past 15 years in New York and Los Angeles. Before this promotion, she was senior producer and assisted in the production of numerous primetime TV series and specials. John Nelson has been named executive editor/vp of Fox Sports News. The 25-year AP veteran will oversee the editorial content of the show and work with the Fox Sports News senior staff on the program's presentation of nightly sports news and information. The Hollywood Reporter, May 27, 1997 Nelson has been a sports writer at AP's New York bureau since 1973 and was named the wire service's TV sports writer in 1990. From 1982-86, Nelson was the national baseball writer for AP. Daniel Victor has been upped to the new post of executive vp legal and business affairs and general counsel at Children's Television Workshop. In addition to overseeing business and legal affairs, Victor will supervise the human resources department and take on the nonprofit company's legislative and regulatory issues in Washington. He also becomes corporate secretary, working with CTW's board of trustees. Ken Smith, a 17-year company veteran, has been named vp-executive producer at Pacific Title and Art Studio. Smith's new duties will include overseeing the postproduction-and-effects company's sales department. He also will continue to produce special effects and feature-film title sequences for Pacific Title. Smith joined Pacific Title in 1980 and worked in its archive operations before moving to lab and camera departments and eventually sales. Twenty-year music industry veteran Tom Donnarumma has been upped to senior vp sales for Columbia Records, reporting to Columbia Records Group senior vp John The Hollywood Reporter, May 27, 1997 Ingrassia Donnarumma, who will be based in New York, remains the primary liaison between Columbia Records and the Sony Music Branch Distribution system. He will continue to develop and implement innovative campaigns for Columbia artists and coordinate sales plans and programs at the branch and retail levels. David Kennedy is exiting as senior vp programming at Pearson Television Prods. and subsidiary Grundy Worldwide when his contract expires next month. Kennedy joined the company two years ago. He developed the series "Goodnight Sweetheart" as a joint venture between Pearson and CBS Prods. In addition to helping launch Pearson Television Prods. in the United States, Kennedy overhauled Grundy's U.S. television activities. Under his supervision, the company developed daytime series "Small Talk" for the Family Channel and "Man O Man" for UPN. Randy Smith has left DDB Needham Worldwide to join MGM as vp national promotions and corporate sponsorships. He replaces Lori Cloud, who has relocated to Chicago. The Hollywood Reporter, May 27, 1997 Smith reports to Karen Sortito, exec vp worldwide promotions and corporate sponsorships. He will oversee national marketing and promotional opportunities across all MGM divisions and negotiate related agreements. At DDB Needham Worldwide, Smith served as vp and account director for Universal Pictures since 1995. LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: May 27, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 12 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 News World Communications, Inc. The Washington Times May 26, 1997, Monday, Final Edition SECTION: Part D; BUSINESS TIMES; MOVERS & SHAKERS; Pg. D17 LENGTH: 1610 words BODY: ADVERTISING, MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS BVD Advertising in McLean named Jennifer Grinnell art director, Bryan Billington graphic artist, Mike Labuda media director and Scott Parker assistant account executive. The Washington-based public relations firm of Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter and Associates named Sally Aman, Dan Leonard, Tom Pines and Barbara Zadina managing directors. Kenneth Lazar and Laurel Gainor joined Williams Whittle Associates, based in Alexandria, as media planners and buyers. The Washington Times, May 26, 1997 ARCHITECTURE, CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING Anthony J. Brimble joined ICF Kaiser International Inc. of Fairfax as group senior vice president and managing director of European operations. Jeffrey R. Munn was named marketing manager for the new design-build service line of Dewberry and Davis in Fairfax. Jane Hicks was named design-build assistant. Jamie B. Wrenn, an associate of the firm, was named department manager for its geodigital services group. Clark Construction of Bethesda promoted Hal Roach to executive vice president of operations and Brian Abt to vice president. Rick Deming and Timothy J. McDonald joined the government and technology business unit of Sverdrup Facilities Inc. of Arlington as director of construction and director of construction operations, respectively. Drew Bogus joined Brown & Root as director of business development in the company's Washington office. ASSOCIATIONS The Washington Times, May 26, 1997 Donald B. Shea, former president and chief executive officer of the United States Chamber of Shipping, has been elected president of the Rubber Manufacturers Association in Washington. Karen V. Hill was named chief executive of the American Homeowner Education and Counseling Institute in Washington. The Potomac Knowledgeway Project in Reston added Peter F. Nostrand, president of the Greater Washington Region of Crestar Bank, to its board of directors. The Associated General Contractors of America in Washington elected J. Howard Mock president, Peter K.W. Wert senior vice president, Terry Deeny vice president and Robert Desjardins treasurer. EDUCATION The American University board of trustees elected William I. Jacobs, executive vice president of global resources for MasterCard International, its chairman. He replaces Edward R. Carr, who is remaining on the board. George J. Collins, retired president of T. Rowe Price Associates Inc., was named vice chairman. The Washington Times, May 26, 1997 Kerry Green Zobor joined the Aspen Institute in Washington as public relations manager. FINANCE Richard Frank joined Darby Overseas Investments Ltd. in Washington as managing partner. Riggs Bank of Washington promoted Raymond M. Lund, head of the international banking group, and David W. Scott, chief credit officer, to executive vice president. Fiduciary Trust Company International appointed B. Bryan Wright Jr. vice president and director of business development for its Washington office. Legg Mason Wood Walker Inc. added David M. Fick to its real estate research group as vice president and senior real estate analyst. George Mason Bank of Fairfax City promoted Carl E. Dodson and Mark D. Moore to senior vice president and Samuel M. Carson to vice president. The Washington Times, May 26, 1997 National Cooperative Bank in Washington elected Alfred A. Plamann chairman of its board of directors. He is the president and chief executive officer of Certified Grocers of California Ltd. Thomas K. Zaucha, the president and chief executive officer of the National Grocers Association, was elected to the bank's board of directors. Ronald P. Rubin, a registered representative of New England Securities of Bethesda, has been granted the LUCT Fellow professional designation. Christian E. Roemer was named senior vice president at First National Bank of Maryland. HEALTH CARE Integrated Health Services Inc. of Owings Mills, Md., promoted C. Christian Winkle to chief operating officer. HIGH TECHNOLOGY Global Technologies Group Inc., an Arlington-based security and encryption firm, named Dwin Craig vice president of engineering. The Washington Times, May 26, 1997 TNT Logistics, based in Linthicum, Md., promoted Fred K. Wade to vice president and chief technology officer. HOSPITALITY & RETAIL The ANA Hotel in Washington appointed Marjorie DePuy conference service manager. Eric Hartel was named management information systems manager, and Scott Thurston joined the hotel as front office manager. Tom Keon was named president and chief executive officer of Ridgewells in Bethesda. Susan Geasten, most recently vice president of Ridgewells' major events division, was promoted to executive vice president of sales and marketing. John R. Bradbury Jr. joined Nestle USA's Washington office as manager of federal government relations. Randolph Rouse Enterprises appointed Brent Brady general manager of the Days Inn Arlington. LAW The Washington Times, May 26, 1997 William E. Donnelly joined the Washington office of McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe as a partner and head of the firm's securities and enforcement group. Hong Le Nguyen joined the firm as an associate. MANUFACTURING Patrick E. Morrissey was appointed director of news relations in General Motors' Washington office. General Dynamics Corp., based in Falls Church, named James E. Turner Jr. president and chief operating officer. Vice Chairman Nicholas Chabraja will replace Chairman and Chief Executive James Mellor, who retires at the end of May. Puvan Nhouvannasack joined Gutter Helmet Systems as regional manager for Washington and Northern Virginia. MEDIA Marcia L. Goldman joined the Baltimore Sun as director of communications. The Washington Times, May 26, 1997 Daniel Victor was promoted to executive vice president of legal and business affairs, general counsel, and corporate secretary at the Children's Television Workshop. The Weekly Standard, a News American publication, named David H. Bass deputy publisher in Washington. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Ernst & Young appointed Steven D. Riddle national director of sales and use tax technology solutions. National Electronics Warranty, a Sterling, Va.-based product-protection and customer-assistance business, appointed Janet Moore vice president of operations. Stephen H. Gardiner was named president of Enterprise Senior Ventures Inc. in Columbia, Md. Assisting him as senior vice president is Leo E. Baldwin. Langan Associates PC, CPAs and consultants in Washington, named Penny L. Young supervisor. The Washington Times, May 26, 1997 William Von Raab, former customs commissioner, joined the Fort Hill Group to provide strategic advice in marketing, public affairs and finance. Paul Dalrymple was named general manager of Gold's Gym in Gaithersburg. Emmitt Carlton joined Issue Dynamics Inc. in Washington as senior consultant and counsel. Fairfax-based james martin+co appointed Ben Levitan president of the firm's North American business. He will assume full responsibility for operations, human resources, sales, marketing and finance. Loren D. Burnett joined the Hunter Group, based in Baltimore, as chief financial officer. REAL ESTATE Nancy M. Shambaugh was promoted to vice president of human resources and administration of Interstate General Co. LP in St. Charles, Md. Larry S. Nordhauser and Richard Gessner joined the Graham Cos. of Ashburn, Va., as associates. The Washington Times, May 26, 1997 Julia J.Calabrese was named senior managing director and operating manager of Cushman & Wakefield's mid-Atlantic region. The L&B Group named Charles R. Cope general manager of Tysons Corner Center. Delores Harper joined the Cafritz Co. in Washington as senior leasing agent. David R. DeCamp joined Grubb & Ellis as senior vice president in the Washington office. Equity Office Properties LLC named a new management team for Reston Town Center. The team includes Mark T. Smith, general manager; Randa Mendenhall, marketing director; Marianne C. Fierst, property manager; Larry Garner, operations manager; Michael Gribbon, area leasing representative for Equity Office; and Chris Mundy, vice president and regional manager for the Northeast division of Equity Office. TELECOMMUNICATIONS The Washington Times, May 26, 1997 Comm Site International of Vienna appointed Robert Pizzimenti vice president of marketing and David McKittrick vice president of construction. Scott Blake Harris, a partner and head of Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher's communications law group, was appointed to the Virginia Tech Center for Wireless Telecommunications' Industrial Advisory Board. Focus Communications Inc. of Burtonsville promoted Amy Gebrosky to director of training, Kelly J. Gillis to director of public relations, Bernadine Gerbrick to office manager, Erin Hundley to client relations director, Tom Reandeau to assistant director of operations and Valerie Yarusevich to director of customer care. THINK TANKS Teresa L. Brown and Andrew B. Campbell were named public relations associates for the Heritage Foundation. Miss Brown also will be editor of Heritage Today, the foundation's quarterly newsletter. Bailey Morris-Eck, former senior adviser to the counselor to the president in the Office of Economic Policy and summit coordinator at the White House, joined the Brookings Institution as vice president. The Washington Times, May 26, 1997 KUDOS WRC-TV (Channel 4) cameraman Harry Davis is the station's winner of the NBC Making a Difference award. The program honors employees for outstanding community service. The 1996 United Cerebral Palsy Business Women of the Year are Esther T. Smith, editor-at-large, Technnews Inc., and Susan J. Williams, president, Bracy Williams & Co. The awards are given annually to two professional women in the Washington area for their contributions to the community at large. GRAPHIC: Photos, A) Deming; B) McDonald; C) Mock; D) Lund; E) Scott; F) Dodson; G) Moore; H) Carson; I) Wade; J) Dalrymple; K) Shambaugh; L) Calabrese; M) De Camp; N) Davis LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: May 26, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 13 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Guardian Newspapers Limited The Observer May 25, 1997, Sunday SECTION: THE OBSERVER REVIEW PAGE; Pg. 20 LENGTH: 2014 words HEADLINE: THE OBSERVER PROFILE: 'EH-OH LAA LAA!' BYLINE: Kate Kellaway HIGHLIGHT: Teletubbies, the new Magic Roundabout BODY: If Mr Blobby were to mate with a sultry televison, Teletubbies would probably be the result. They have aerials on their heads and television screens set into their fat tummies. They have anaemic bat faces and wear bright baby gros. Their names are Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa Laa and Po. Their sex is indeterminate. They sleep in uncomfy beds with silver foil quilts and are The Observer, May 25, 1997 monitored by talking shower heads that rise bossily out of the ground to issue orders. But the Teletubbies seem happy. And they go down like hot custard the Teletubby staple with children. But since Teletubbies aimed at the under-fives took to the air six weeks ago, letters and phone calls have been pouring into the BBC from parents, lamenting the worthy Playdays which can now be seen on BBC2 only in the afternoons. The channel's 10am slot is precious to parents and the Teletubbies are making them spit. The first thing you see when you switch on Teletubbies is the sun rising. But this sun looks like nothing we know. It's closer to the infant Jesus: a real baby's face with an ironic gleam in the eye, surrounded by a halo of buttery light. It shines over a manically flowering hill, part of an enormous outdoor set, covering seven grassy acres in Warwickshire. The Teletubbies are played by cavorting adults in costume not, as you'd imagine, by cartoon characters. The Teletubbies dance amusingly, wear pink net tutus, give each other 'big hugs'. Laa Laa perfoms dangerous balletic twirls which can apparently excite some two year olds almost beyond endurance; one child is reported to have danced till he dropped. (This is, after all, energetic stuff for couch potatoes.) But mothers are not pirouetting with pleasure. They find Teletubbies incomprehensible. The babytalk that appeals to their offspring offends them. The Teletubby The Observer, May 25, 1997 lifestyle, involving apparently pointless exercises such as standing on one leg for 10 minutes, does not appeal. The surreal look of the programme mystifies. Props like the windmill and the periscope are thought to be 'arbitrary' and 'mysterious'. Parental unease about Teletubbies suggests a discomfort about fun for the sake of fun. Nonsense used to be a necessary part of growing up; now we're frightened of it. We want our children to learn sometimes at the expense of a carefree childhood. But it is the way the Teletubbies repeat themselves that seems to anger parents most. According to the Teletubbies, if something is worth doing once, it is worth doing twice. 'Do it again,' they say. Adults go berserk. Berserk. The woman behind the programme is 59-year-old Anne Wood. This former publisher is far from being a baby-talking simpleton herself. She is robust, imaginative, humorous. She runs her own company, Rag Doll, and produced other childrens' shows Rosie and Jim, Open A Door, Tots TV and Brum. She has worked as a teacher in a secondary modern school. She believes that children should be encouraged to play, to enjoy fantasy. Her company motto is lifted from Carl Jung: 'Without play with fantasy, no creative work has ever come to birth.' Wood also believes in research, in trying to find out what children actually enjoy. This research has involved putting a camera on top of the television and The Observer, May 25, 1997 watching children watching a very Teletubby thing to do. Children under five, she discovered, enjoy repetition, and this implies repetition is good for them. It is easy to find intellectual ballast to support her view. In The Uses of Enchantment, Bruno Bettelheim writes about the importance of repetition. Describing a child reading fairytales with his parents, he writes: 'Soon he will indicate that a certain story has become important to him by his immediate response to it or by his asking to be told this story over and over again. If all goes well the child's enthusiasm for this story will become contagious and the story will become important to the parent too; if for no other reason that it means so much to the child.' Nigella Lawson, writing about Teletubbies in the Times last week argued that we should share our children's enthusiasms. If the child likes it, it should be good enough for us. But the disgruntled parents who have complained to the BBC disagree: 'Children don't always know what is best for them,' said one. These parents want more obvious educational content. The nearest Telletubbies gets to this is in what the programme-makers describe as the 'insets'. The inset is first seen on one of the Teletubbies's TV screens. A short film involving real children follows. For example, children paint with their hands and feet and make a gorgeously frightful mess. We see them up to their elbows in thick blue and orange paint. Educative? Not exactly. A child's dream, a clean parent's nightmare. The Observer, May 25, 1997 But the inserts, too, have been carefully researched. Anne Wood explains: 'We had some nice kids making photo frames. But the children watching were bored silly, they found it static and alienating.' She was surprised when the test audience loved watching a child 'enthusiastically washing up'. (Perhaps because it was such an unfamiliar sight.) Wood and her team concluded from this that it is the enthusiasm of the children rather than what they are actually doing that communicates itself to the watchers. Thus, what is happening on screen is more complex than it seems. The baby talk on the programme is also less simplistic than it appears to be. Careful listening reveals that the language is actually quite varied. You realise after a while that the showerhead and narrator are more articulate than the Teletubbies, and it is only because the Teletubbies are babies that they talk this way. Anne Wood believes children pick up on these subtleties. Anyway, she argues, children's television has always involved funny voices, starting with Bill and Ben ('flobadob') and evolving to Pingu with a cast of penguins who sound like drunken Eastern Europeans. And it is not the television's responsibility to teach language it is a parent's. The Observer, May 25, 1997 Some parents are suspicious of the amount of research that goes into Teletubbies, saying it proves the programme is part of the marketing -led dumbing-down of Britain. When, they ask, was anything magical written for children as a result of research? Many of the best writers for children had no children of their own (C.S. Lewis, Lewis Carroll, Quentin Blake, to name but a few). And as for childish preferences, is it not the case that we come into the world mewling, puking and predisposed to admire the vulgar? Ultimately, however, what offends parents about Teletubbies may not be the lack of improving content. Teletubbies do look like zombies. In one recent episode they appeared to be watching us and not the other way round. We seemed to be making them fall asleep. They are thus a symbol of exactly what parents fear their children will become if they watch too much television: small zombies with pale faces and poor language skills who have ingested the television screen. But Teletubbies is intended to address childrens' anxiety, to make them confident. It is also to give them early on a sense of the screen because, as Anne Wood says, 'Like it or not, they are going to have to be screen-literate.' She guards its mysteries jealously. 'I want the programme's innocence maintained, things can get too culty.' According to Private Eye, it is too late already: the programme is a favourite with students because it looks like a psychedelic hallucination. The Observer, May 25, 1997 Anne Wood suggests that Teletubbies gives a glimpse of a world of open green spaces to children trapped in a quite different landscape. She is far from suggesting that television can be a substitute for open space only pragmatically acknowledging that for some children the Teletubbies may offer a freedom to play without fear not to be found elsewhere in their lives. And it is not only disadvantaged children she is referring to; she feels there is a great deal of anxiety about letting children play anywhere without adult supervision. Teletubbies is intended to be a programme that can be Watched Without Mother. But it is also indisputably for grown-ups who Watch Without Children. LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: May 27, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 14 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Extel Financial Limited Extel Examiner May 22, 1997, Thursday SECTION: Company News; Interim Results LENGTH: 384 words HEADLINE: Sleepy Kids sees H1 turnover lower than last year BODY: LONDON (AFX) - Sleepy Kids PLC said it expects sales in the first half of 1997 to be significantly lower than in the same period last year. In the text of a speech delivered at the company's AGM, Sleepy Kids chairman's Martin Powell said: "The nature of the group's business means that turnover in any particular period is critically dependent on the timing of major television, home video and licensing transactions. Accordingly, turnover in the first half is likely to be significantly lower than the comparable period last year." Powell said the company's turnover is expected to be weighted towards the Extel Examiner, May 22, 1997 second half because transactions relating to existing and new properties will be concluded in that period. Powell said Sleepy Kids continues to make good progress with the marketing of its new animation projects. He said the company recently appointed U.S.-based Momentum Distribution Inc as television rights distributors for one of its key new properties, The Disguisables. "They have already reported a positive reaction from world-wide television buyers," he said. Powell added that Tickling Funsters, another of Sleepy Kids' new animated properties, was launched by UK-based Dandelion Distribution Ltd recently, and that the animation property received many positive reactions from world-wide children's television buyers. He also said Sleepy Kids received an offer from a European studio willing to co-produce the first series of 26 11-minute episodes. "We are confident that both of these properties are capable, in time, of achieving good UK and international sales from television, home video and merchandising," Powell said. "The board is currently exploring ways of adding shareholder value to the group, and is actively seeking strategic alliances within the media and Extel Examiner, May 22, 1997 allied sectors. In addition, if appropriate, the board will seek to raise external finance primarily for investment in the group's new projects," Powell said. LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: May 23, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 15 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Copley News Service Copley News Service May 19, 1997, Monday 11:19 Eastern Time SECTION: Entertainment, television and culture LENGTH: 2640 words HEADLINE: art1 By Robert P. Laurence BODY: In some ways, children's television is a lot like grown-up television. There's a lot of it, and it ranges wildly in quality. But there's one big difference: Children's TV is improving. It's considerably better than it used to be, and it promises to get even better. Kids' TV, like adult TV, ranges from the sublime to the plain ugly, from the simple, enduring magic of ''Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'' to the brutality of ''DarkStalkers,'' from the inspired lunacy of ''KaBlam!'' to the brooding film-noir atmosphere of ''Batman and Robin,'' to the charming, fragile whimsy Copley News Service, May 19, 1997 of ''Bananas in Pajamas.'' It can be wildly imaginative, utterly beyond anything on adult TV, and astonishingly hip. Some of the zaniest programs are those least-known to adults. Tune to ''Samurai Pizza Cats'' on a weekday afternoon, and you might hear the cartoon characters singing, ''Some enchanted evening, you'll meet Farley Granger!'' (which may leave the adult viewer wondering how many of today's 10-year-olds recognize the song ''Some Enchanted Evening,'' or if any of them have heard of Farley Granger, a minor movie star of the 1940s and '50s). On ''KaBlam!,'' a cartoon variety show, the animated hosts are named Henry and June, a not-so-subtle reference to ''Henry & June,'' an obscure but very adult 1990 movie. ''Animaniacs,'' from the studios of Steven Spielberg, is rife with inside-Hollywood gags about stars and movies of the distant past. Keeping track of children's programs can be maddeningly confusing, with the same shows, or similar shows with almost-the-same titles, running simultaneously on different channels; ''Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?'' is a PBS staple, while Fox recently ran a similar show from the same producers ''Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?'' Shows that die on one channel are revived on Copley News Service, May 19, 1997 another; in the fall, CBS will air ''The Ghostwriter Mysteries,'' based on an earlier PBS show, ''Ghostwriter.'' Not that the mindless, violent cartoons that for so long seemed to dominate kids' TV have vanished suddenly from the landscape. ''G.I. Joe'' is still there, along with ''DarkStalkers'' and ''Power Rangers Zeo.'' But an increase in the number of stimulating programs is changing the balance. And there's more to come. COMPETITIVE EDGE The reasons are simple. First, competition, as it does in horse racing, has improved the breed. Cable's Nickelodeon channel has raised the bar several notches, while new entrants in the field such as Fox, Spielberg and even HBO have nurtured and encouraged upcoming writers and artists. ''There have been new standards set over the last few years with more-sophisticated writing, more-sophisticated comedy,'' said Lucy Johnson, CBS' senior vice president for daytime and children's programming. ''It opened up the area. Nickelodeon had a great deal to do with it. Fox and Warner Bros. had a lot to do with it.'' Copley News Service, May 19, 1997 Second, the Federal Communications Commission, prompted by the Clinton administration, has told broadcasters that, beginning Sept. 1, they must carry at least three hours of educational and informational children's programming every week. As a result, dozens of new shows described by producers as ''FCC-friendly'' are being advertised in the trade press, hoping to attract the attention of local stations and get on the air in the fall. The FCC's enforcement mechanism is weak at best, however, and optimism must be tempered by skepticism and a wait-and-see attitude. ''You're going to see very little effect until somebody sues a station and some station loses its license,'' cautions Linda Ellerbee, producer of Nickelodeon's ''Nick News.'' ''Then the networks will take it seriously. Right now, it's a game of 'Put on what you like and see if anybody complains.''' CHILDREN'S CHOICES It may be the children themselves who do the most to improve children's TV, just by the choices they make. Judging from visits to second-grade and fifth-and-sixth-grade classrooms at Jefferson Elementary School in San Diego, the kids themselves seem to favor programs that offer them some benefit. They can be discriminating, knowledgeable viewers with strong, informed opinions. Copley News Service, May 19, 1997 Ask what they think of Fox's ''X-Men'' a violent cartoon that has long been the bane of those who yearn for better children's TV and most of the kids sit silently, with puzzled, ''never-heard-of-it'' expressions on their faces. A few respond with a disdainful ''No-o-o'' and sounds of disgust ''Ee-e-uw!'' One boy remarks that ''the drawings keep on getting worse, and the stories aren't as good. And they're mostly reruns.'' But mention ''Wishbone,'' a PBS program in which a Jack Russell terrier is costumed as the hero of various works of classical literature, such as ''Ulysses,'' ''Sherlock Holmes'' or ''Ivanhoe,'' and hands fly up, and in unison the kids shout out an approving ''Oooh!'' ''I like 'Wishbone' because it shows you old books,'' said one. One pupil read Mark Twain's ''The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'' after watching the ''Wishbone'' version and decided, ''The book was better.'' One even tackled Shakespeare's ''Romeo and Juliet'' after she saw ''Wishbone,'' but concluded that '''Wishbone' made it funnier.'' Another viewer said ''Wishbone'' was ''educational, but it's still funny. It's not like 'Reading Rainbow' (a PBS standby). That's too educational. If you're watching TV, you don't want to go back to school.'' Copley News Service, May 19, 1997 One more revelation: Most of the kids said they and their parents do pay attention to television's new ratings system, and their parents don't let them watch programs unsuited to their age group. ''If it says 'TV-14,' my mom will sit down to watch it with me,'' said one lucky fifth-grader. If they have a single favorite, it may be ''Rugrats,'' a children's TV phenomenon. A nightly feature on Nickelodeon, ''Rugrats'' regularly occupies half or more of the top spots in Nielsen's weekly cable ratings. (Every showing of every episode is rated individually, so the same program can appear on the list several times, and ''Rugrats'' does.) The episode on Hanukkah explained the Jewish holiday with wit, verve and originality, and a recent episode dealt with nothing more consequential (to a grown-up, at least) than a toddler's fear of going down the drain with the bath water. ''It's for bigger kids, too, because they used to be that age,'' said one boy. GOOD STUFF PBS, with such perennial favorites as ''Sesame Street,'' ''Shining Time Station'' and ''The Magic Schoolbus,'' and Nickelodeon are two of the chief Copley News Service, May 19, 1997 purveyors of children's programming. NBC has pulled out of the 2-to-11-year-old market (as children's TV is defined in the industry) to concentrate on teens, and CBS already has announced it will drop its animated programs in the fall in favor of educational shows designed to meet its stations' federal requirements. But Disney-owned ABC remains a major player in the field. Alice Cahn, director of children's programming at PBS, believes that ''there's more good stuff. I think there's just as much bad stuff, though. ''Does that make the balance any better? I don't know. It's like saying there's more good food on the table, but it's still easy to have chocolate for breakfast. There are more places on the dial for kids to go, more stores for them to shop in.'' What's positive, Cahn said, is that after last summer's long public debate that led to the FCC's three-hour directive, ''You are seeing more people talk more about doing good children's television. And perhaps that's a beginning.'' Nickelodeon has made itself a dominant player in the last few years through persistence, the sheer quantity of its children's programming, and a few hits such as ''Rugrats'' and ''Doug.'' Copley News Service, May 19, 1997 ''The criticism and the focus on kids' television is only going to bring more quality stuff to the air, and that's a good thing,'' said Cyma Zarghami, Nickelodeon's general manager and senior vice president of programming. ''The more it's in the press and in the faces of parents, the more they'll pay attention and make choices that are smart for their kids,'' said Zarghami, who's been with Nickelodeon for 13 of the channel's 17 years. ''I think there should be a quality mandate before there's an educational mandate,'' she added. ''Because kids can take just as much from good, quality programming that reflects things that are relevant in their lives as they can from a show that teaches them how to count.'' DUBIOUS VALUE One doesn't have to search far to find examples of programs of dubious value. The CBS fall children's lineup includes not only the worthwhile science show ''Beakman's World,'' but also ''Wheel of Fortune 2000'' and ''The Sports Illustrated for Kids Show.'' Both would seem to be half-hour infomercials, transparent promotions for an adult game show and a sports magazine, but CBS' Johnson denies it. Copley News Service, May 19, 1997 ''I'm doing nothing at all like infomercials,'' she said. ''I'm doing programs with entertainment and educational value, that have some familiar marketing ingredients for kids. I'm not here to sell magazines, and I'm not here to watch 'Wheel of Fortune.' I'm not promoting the sale of magazines. We're not advertising magazines on 'Sports Illustrated for Kids.''' To discover how a TV station might try to meet the FCC requirement without really educating children, a viewer need only check the two-hour block of Sunday-morning programs that KSWB/Channel 69 in San Diego bills as educational. ''The Why Why Family,'' which explains some simple scientific principles in terms small children can understand (''What happens to the food we eat?'' was one recent question), seems worthwhile. But ''Oscar's Orchestra'' has animated musical instruments as characters in inane cartoon stories; its thin claim to the ''educational'' label lies in the use of classical-music clips on the soundtrack. Worst of the batch is ''Gladiators 2000,'' a junior version of the ''American Gladiators'' combat game show. Kids 12 years old or so compete in pseudo-battle contests, running obstacle courses and shooting rubber balls at each other. Every now and then, the game stops for a quiz, which may or may not be educational. Oral hygiene was the theme of one episode, and contestants were Copley News Service, May 19, 1997 asked this question, written on the screen by someone who apparently flunked third-grade grammar and spelling: ''What is the most common reason a person looses their teeth?'' Then the kids were informed that the ''scientific'' name for bad breath (as if 12-year-olds should worry about bad breath) is ''halitosis.'' Wrong. ''Halitosis'' was a word dreamed up by an advertising agency for a mouthwash commercial. Any parent seeking a cure for illiterate ''educational'' television will face a difficult struggle. And a long one. The FCC has issued guidelines, but stations decide for themselves if their programs are ''educational.'' And while they will have to send the FCC reports on their children's programming every quarter, the only way to enforce the rule is to challenge a station's license renewal, which comes up every eight years. ''There's no enforcement we will take outside of the license renewal process,'' said an FCC lawyer. Bright as the future may look in children's television, the possibilities for abuse, for trash disguised as ''education,'' are as infinite as the venal imaginations of greedy producers, programmers and station owners. As always, Copley News Service, May 19, 1997 it will fall to parents to make sure their children's minds are getting some nourishment from their TV sets, and not just empty calories. LOAD-DATE: May 20, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 16 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Copley News Service Copley News Service May 19, 1997, Monday 11:19 Eastern Time SECTION: Entertainment, television and culture LENGTH: 2640 words HEADLINE: art1 By Robert P. Laurence BODY: In some ways, children's television is a lot like grown-up television. There's a lot of it, and it ranges wildly in quality. But there's one big difference: Children's TV is improving. It's considerably better than it used to be, and it promises to get even better. Kids' TV, like adult TV, ranges from the sublime to the plain ugly, from the simple, enduring magic of ''Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'' to the brutality of ''DarkStalkers,'' from the inspired lunacy of ''KaBlam!'' to the brooding film-noir atmosphere of ''Batman and Robin,'' to the charming, fragile whimsy Copley News Service, May 19, 1997 of ''Bananas in Pajamas.'' It can be wildly imaginative, utterly beyond anything on adult TV, and astonishingly hip. Some of the zaniest programs are those least-known to adults. Tune to ''Samurai Pizza Cats'' on a weekday afternoon, and you might hear the cartoon characters singing, ''Some enchanted evening, you'll meet Farley Granger!'' (which may leave the adult viewer wondering how many of today's 10-year-olds recognize the song ''Some Enchanted Evening,'' or if any of them have heard of Farley Granger, a minor movie star of the 1940s and '50s). On ''KaBlam!,'' a cartoon variety show, the animated hosts are named Henry and June, a not-so-subtle reference to ''Henry & June,'' an obscure but very adult 1990 movie. ''Animaniacs,'' from the studios of Steven Spielberg, is rife with inside-Hollywood gags about stars and movies of the distant past. Keeping track of children's programs can be maddeningly confusing, with the same shows, or similar shows with almost-the-same titles, running simultaneously on different channels; ''Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?'' is a PBS staple, while Fox recently ran a similar show from the same producers ''Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?'' Shows that die on one channel are revived on Copley News Service, May 19, 1997 another; in the fall, CBS will air ''The Ghostwriter Mysteries,'' based on an earlier PBS show, ''Ghostwriter.'' Not that the mindless, violent cartoons that for so long seemed to dominate kids' TV have vanished suddenly from the landscape. ''G.I. Joe'' is still there, along with ''DarkStalkers'' and ''Power Rangers Zeo.'' But an increase in the number of stimulating programs is changing the balance. And there's more to come. COMPETITIVE EDGE The reasons are simple. First, competition, as it does in horse racing, has improved the breed. Cable's Nickelodeon channel has raised the bar several notches, while new entrants in the field such as Fox, Spielberg and even HBO have nurtured and encouraged upcoming writers and artists. ''There have been new standards set over the last few years with more-sophisticated writing, more-sophisticated comedy,'' said Lucy Johnson, CBS' senior vice president for daytime and children's programming. ''It opened up the area. Nickelodeon had a great deal to do with it. Fox and Warner Bros. had a lot to do with it.'' Copley News Service, May 19, 1997 Second, the Federal Communications Commission, prompted by the Clinton administration, has told broadcasters that, beginning Sept. 1, they must carry at least three hours of educational and informational children's programming every week. As a result, dozens of new shows described by producers as ''FCC-friendly'' are being advertised in the trade press, hoping to attract the attention of local stations and get on the air in the fall. The FCC's enforcement mechanism is weak at best, however, and optimism must be tempered by skepticism and a wait-and-see attitude. ''You're going to see very little effect until somebody sues a station and some station loses its license,'' cautions Linda Ellerbee, producer of Nickelodeon's ''Nick News.'' ''Then the networks will take it seriously. Right now, it's a game of 'Put on what you like and see if anybody complains.''' CHILDREN'S CHOICES It may be the children themselves who do the most to improve children's TV, just by the choices they make. Judging from visits to second-grade and fifth-and-sixth-grade classrooms at Jefferson Elementary School in San Diego, the kids themselves seem to favor programs that offer them some benefit. They can be discriminating, knowledgeable viewers with strong, informed opinions. Copley News Service, May 19, 1997 Ask what they think of Fox's ''X-Men'' a violent cartoon that has long been the bane of those who yearn for better children's TV and most of the kids sit silently, with puzzled, ''never-heard-of-it'' expressions on their faces. A few respond with a disdainful ''No-o-o'' and sounds of disgust ''Ee-e-uw!'' One boy remarks that ''the drawings keep on getting worse, and the stories aren't as good. And they're mostly reruns.'' But mention ''Wishbone,'' a PBS program in which a Jack Russell terrier is costumed as the hero of various works of classical literature, such as ''Ulysses,'' ''Sherlock Holmes'' or ''Ivanhoe,'' and hands fly up, and in unison the kids shout out an approving ''Oooh!'' ''I like 'Wishbone' because it shows you old books,'' said one. One pupil read Mark Twain's ''The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'' after watching the ''Wishbone'' version and decided, ''The book was better.'' One even tackled Shakespeare's ''Romeo and Juliet'' after she saw ''Wishbone,'' but concluded that '''Wishbone' made it funnier.'' Another viewer said ''Wishbone'' was ''educational, but it's still funny. It's not like 'Reading Rainbow' (a PBS standby). That's too educational. If you're watching TV, you don't want to go back to school.'' Copley News Service, May 19, 1997 One more revelation: Most of the kids said they and their parents do pay attention to television's new ratings system, and their parents don't let them watch programs unsuited to their age group. ''If it says 'TV-14,' my mom will sit down to watch it with me,'' said one lucky fifth-grader. If they have a single favorite, it may be ''Rugrats,'' a children's TV phenomenon. A nightly feature on Nickelodeon, ''Rugrats'' regularly occupies half or more of the top spots in Nielsen's weekly cable ratings. (Every showing of every episode is rated individually, so the same program can appear on the list several times, and ''Rugrats'' does.) The episode on Hanukkah explained the Jewish holiday with wit, verve and originality, and a recent episode dealt with nothing more consequential (to a grown-up, at least) than a toddler's fear of going down the drain with the bath water. ''It's for bigger kids, too, because they used to be that age,'' said one boy. GOOD STUFF PBS, with such perennial favorites as ''Sesame Street,'' ''Shining Time Station'' and ''The Magic Schoolbus,'' and Nickelodeon are two of the chief Copley News Service, May 19, 1997 purveyors of children's programming. NBC has pulled out of the 2-to-11-year-old market (as children's TV is defined in the industry) to concentrate on teens, and CBS already has announced it will drop its animated programs in the fall in favor of educational shows designed to meet its stations' federal requirements. But Disney-owned ABC remains a major player in the field. Alice Cahn, director of children's programming at PBS, believes that ''there's more good stuff. I think there's just as much bad stuff, though. ''Does that make the balance any better? I don't know. It's like saying there's more good food on the table, but it's still easy to have chocolate for breakfast. There are more places on the dial for kids to go, more stores for them to shop in.'' What's positive, Cahn said, is that after last summer's long public debate that led to the FCC's three-hour directive, ''You are seeing more people talk more about doing good children's television. And perhaps that's a beginning.'' Nickelodeon has made itself a dominant player in the last few years through persistence, the sheer quantity of its children's programming, and a few hits such as ''Rugrats'' and ''Doug.'' Copley News Service, May 19, 1997 ''The criticism and the focus on kids' television is only going to bring more quality stuff to the air, and that's a good thing,'' said Cyma Zarghami, Nickelodeon's general manager and senior vice president of programming. ''The more it's in the press and in the faces of parents, the more they'll pay attention and make choices that are smart for their kids,'' said Zarghami, who's been with Nickelodeon for 13 of the channel's 17 years. ''I think there should be a quality mandate before there's an educational mandate,'' she added. ''Because kids can take just as much from good, quality programming that reflects things that are relevant in their lives as they can from a show that teaches them how to count.'' DUBIOUS VALUE One doesn't have to search far to find examples of programs of dubious value. The CBS fall children's lineup includes not only the worthwhile science show ''Beakman's World,'' but also ''Wheel of Fortune 2000'' and ''The Sports Illustrated for Kids Show.'' Both would seem to be half-hour infomercials, transparent promotions for an adult game show and a sports magazine, but CBS' Johnson denies it. Copley News Service, May 19, 1997 ''I'm doing nothing at all like infomercials,'' she said. ''I'm doing programs with entertainment and educational value, that have some familiar marketing ingredients for kids. I'm not here to sell magazines, and I'm not here to watch 'Wheel of Fortune.' I'm not promoting the sale of magazines. We're not advertising magazines on 'Sports Illustrated for Kids.''' To discover how a TV station might try to meet the FCC requirement without really educating children, a viewer need only check the two-hour block of Sunday-morning programs that KSWB/Channel 69 in San Diego bills as educational. ''The Why Why Family,'' which explains some simple scientific principles in terms small children can understand (''What happens to the food we eat?'' was one recent question), seems worthwhile. But ''Oscar's Orchestra'' has animated musical instruments as characters in inane cartoon stories; its thin claim to the ''educational'' label lies in the use of classical-music clips on the soundtrack. Worst of the batch is ''Gladiators 2000,'' a junior version of the ''American Gladiators'' combat game show. Kids 12 years old or so compete in pseudo-battle contests, running obstacle courses and shooting rubber balls at each other. Every now and then, the game stops for a quiz, which may or may not be educational. Oral hygiene was the theme of one episode, and contestants were Copley News Service, May 19, 1997 asked this question, written on the screen by someone who apparently flunked third-grade grammar and spelling: ''What is the most common reason a person looses their teeth?'' Then the kids were informed that the ''scientific'' name for bad breath (as if 12-year-olds should worry about bad breath) is ''halitosis.'' Wrong. ''Halitosis'' was a word dreamed up by an advertising agency for a mouthwash commercial. Any parent seeking a cure for illiterate ''educational'' television will face a difficult struggle. And a long one. The FCC has issued guidelines, but stations decide for themselves if their programs are ''educational.'' And while they will have to send the FCC reports on their children's programming every quarter, the only way to enforce the rule is to challenge a station's license renewal, which comes up every eight years. ''There's no enforcement we will take outside of the license renewal process,'' said an FCC lawyer. Bright as the future may look in children's television, the possibilities for abuse, for trash disguised as ''education,'' are as infinite as the venal imaginations of greedy producers, programmers and station owners. As always, Copley News Service, May 19, 1997 it will fall to parents to make sure their children's minds are getting some nourishment from their TV sets, and not just empty calories. LOAD-DATE: May 20, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 17 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Crain Communications Inc. Electronic Media May 19, 1997 SECTION: People; Pg. 33 LENGTH: 947 words HEADLINE: WHO IS NEWS BODY: Broadcast TV Valari Dobson Staab to president and general manager, KFSN-TV, Fresno, Calif., from director, creative services, WPVI-TV, Philadelphia. Ms. Staab succeeds Marc Edwards who retired. John Llewellyn, president and general manager WCNC-TV, Charlotte, N.C., has resigned to pursue other interests. Electronic Media, May 19, 1997 Jason Haikara to vice president, on-air planning and marketing administration, Fox Broadcasting Co., from director, on-air planning. Richard Reed to vice president and station manager, KOCE-TV, Huntington Beach, Calif., from director, technical services, broadcast services division, KBYU-TV/FM, Provo, Utah. Cable Lila Everett to senior vice president, marketing and communications, Home & Garden Television, New York, from vice president, marketing. Richy Glassberg to senior vice president, Turner Interactive Marketing & Sales, Atlanta, from vice president and general manager. Dana Michaelis to senior vice president, affiliate relations, The Weather Channel, Atlanta, while continuing as head of affiliate relations, The Travel Channel, Atlanta. Lisa Steinfeld to vice president and assistant general manager, Canal Fox and Fox Kids Latin America, from executive director, operations, general entertainment and children's channels. Electronic Media, May 19, 1997 Mark Taylor to vice president and general manager, Nicktoons Animation, Nickelodeon, Burbank, Calif., from vice president, animation production, Columbia TriStar Television, Los Angeles. Distribution Julie Kantrowitz to senior vice president, media sales, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, Los Angeles, from vice president and general sales manager, media sales. Carol Melton to senior vice president, government affairs, Viacom, Washington, from vice president, law and public policy, Time Warner, New York. She succeeds Mark Weinstein who is retiring from the company. Selby Hall to senior vice president, marketing and research, Walt Disney Television International, London, from vice president. Deana Elwell to executive vice president, PolyGram Television, Los Angeles, from chief financial officer, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment. Journalism Electronic Media, May 19, 1997 Mike Browning to senior correspondent and investigative reporter, KJRH-TV, Tulsa, Okla., from co-anchor. Also at KJRH, Chad Nye to general assignment reporter from assignments/newsroom manager; Susie Douglas to assignments/newsroom manager from part-time assignment desk editor; and Deirdre Davis to co-anchor, morning newscast, from general assignment reporter. Doug Miller to morning show, anchor/reporter, KXTV, Sacramento, Calif., from anchor, WOWK-TV, Huntington, W.Va. New Media Michael Whelan to vice president, advanced technology, NBC Interactive, New York, from vice president, advanced technology. Jane Lee to VP of sales and marketing, Digital Planet, Culver City, Calif., from independent technology marketing consultant. Production Bret Sarnoff to senior vice president, finance, Carsey-Werner, Los Angeles, from vice president, finance. Electronic Media, May 19, 1997 Daniel Victor to executive vice president, legal and business affairs and general counsel, Children's Television Workshop, New York, form VP, legal and business affairs and general counsel. Jack Parmeter to vice president, on-air promotion, CBS Entertainment, Los Angeles, from executive director, creative services, Fox Broadcasting Co., Los Angeles. Radio Earl Baer to director, business development, eight CBS-owned radio stations, Los Angeles, from general sales manager, KFWB-AM, Los Angeles. Obituary H.C. Hernandez, 65, executive vice president of Olympic Entertainment Group, Los Angeles, and a veteran entertainment industry executive, died April 24 of cancer-related complications. To have your personnel announcement considered for Who Is News, please mail, fax or e-mail information to Sara Teasdale, ELECTRONIC MEDIA, 740 N. Rush St., Chicago, Ill. 60611. The fax is 312-649-5465. The e-mail address is Electronic Media, May 19, 1997 steasdal@crain.com. GRAPHIC: LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: May 22, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 18 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Toronto Sun Publishing Corporation The Toronto Sun May 12, 1997, Monday, Final EDITION SECTION: MONEY, Pg. 43, QUICK MONEY LENGTH: 508 words HEADLINE: QUICK MONEY COLUMN BYLINE: SUN WIRE FILES BODY: IT'S CORPORATE KID STUFF Is big-time marketing nothing more than child's play? H.J. Heinz Co. hopes so. The ketchup king recently sponsored a nationwide contest for kids, inviting them to create new labels for some of its ketchup bottles. After Heinz placed ads in magazines asking, "Hey kids, wanna be famous?" and sent posters to art classes, about 60,000 budding Picassos sent The Toronto Sun, May 12, 1997 in work. These days, plenty of companies seem interested in helping youth fend off boredom. Dixie Co. recently asked children to send in riddles to adorn Dixie Riddle Cups; sixteen kids will see their wisecracks on Dixie cups beginning in the fall. Crayola is asking kids ages 12 and under to rename eight crayons after their personal heroes. And Curad recently challenged children to design new patterns for adhesive bandages. But some experts on kids and media believe that no marketing, no matter how creative, belongs in schools or in children's lives. "I don't think that children are the proper target for marketing efforts," says Peggy Charen, a children's media consultant and founder of Action for Children's Television. "They don't have any judgment about economics or the role of the product in the family budget. They don't have a sense of what's age-appropriate about a product." SKIP ADDING "ASSOCIATES" Brand-new entrepreneurs may be tempted to add the words "and associates" to their own names when choosing a corporate identity. But if it's a one-person The Toronto Sun, May 12, 1997 operation, it's best to leave the phrase off. That's the advice of Paul and Sarah Edwards, columnists for Home Office Computing magazine. In their May column, the couple say it's better to present a company as a solo operation rather than run the risk of confusing or misleading customers who imagine that Jack Sprat and Associates has a whole team of employees to back up the boss. TRY NOT TO WORK SO HARD Focusing all your resources on your current job could kill your career, finds Exec-U-Net, a management information service. The Norwalk, Conn.-based outfit surveyed more than 1,500 executive search firms and found that 75% believe that working all-out at your job now shouldn't be your top priority. The recruiters advocate network- and contact-building for people who want to be on the move. The Toronto Sun, May 12, 1997 YES, THE WALLS ARE CLOSING IN If you feel more crowded in your office, it's probably because you are. Cost-conscious businesses are squeezing more workers into less office space and eliminating private offices for many managers. Ten years ago, the typical North American office employee enjoyed an average of 250 square feet of space, including a proportionate share of a building's lobby, corridors and restrooms. While some say that average hasn't much changed today, that won't be the case for long: Professional space planners say companies moving into new offices are typically allocating 200 square feet a person - a shrinkage of 20%. Telemarketing firms and customer-service phone centers often shoehorn operators into 100 square feet or less. LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: May 13, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 19 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Billboard Publications, Inc. Billboard MAY 10, 1997 SECTION: CHILD'S PLAY LENGTH: 886 words HEADLINE: A New KES: Bicoastal Seminars And BrainCamp BYLINE: MOIRA McCORMICK BODY: THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT: The annual children's industry conclave Kids' Entertainment Seminars (KES) is just around the corner--and this year, there's an "s" at the end of the word "seminar." For the first time in the five-year history of KES, the event's founder and organizer, Howard Leib, a New York-based entertainment attorney, is mounting seminars on both coasts. K-EaSt takes place June 13 at New York's Marriott Marquis, and K-wESt will be held June 27 at Los Angeles' Furama Hotel. Billboard, MAY 10, 1997 Preceding both, on June 6-7 in New York, is the new BrainCamp, which is "geared to senior-level corporate executives in the kids' industry," says Leib, and carries a significantly higher price: $ 1,995, as opposed to KES' $ 200-$ 300. BrainCamp features a select group of children's entertainment industry figures as speakers, with enrollment limited to 75. "We've just sent out letters of invitation," says Leib, noting that although an invitation is required in order to register for BrainCamp, anyone can request an invitation. "But we're holding fast to that 75-person limit," Leib says. Speakers lined up for BrainCamp, which is designed as an intensive marketing seminar, include John Kricfalusi, creator of "Ren & Stimpy"; Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry's ice cream; Amy Friedman, head of Nickelodeon's programming think tank Creative Lab; Ron Dubrin, co-inventor of toy craze Tickle Me Elmo; Tom Kary and Scott Nash of children's marketing firm Big Blue Dot; and Dan Romanelli, senior VP of Warner Bros. Consumer Product Merchandising. "We're working on getting three or four more presenters," says Leib. "There's never been this type of conference specifically about the marketing of children's entertainment product," he adds. "When we see a hole, we try to fill it." Billboard, MAY 10, 1997 The $ 1,995 entry fee, he notes, is "standard for today's high-level corporate seminars." Included in the price will be a number of giveaways, including Big Blue Dot's "Big Blue Box," which Leib describes as containing "research materials pertaining to various aspects of kids' entertainment, like computer games, kids' radio sampler cassettes, video samplers, and contact lists." In general, says Leib, BrainCamp is designed to be "an intimate, informal gathering, with a lot of give and take between speakers and audience. It's a whole different setting from KES; this is not, 'How do I get my tape to you?' KES is about pushing your career ahead; BrainCamp is about pushing your business ahead." As for the formerly two-day-long KES, it has now been changed to one day on each coast, two weeks apart. "We dropped the workshops and keynote speeches we've done in the past," says Leib. "Based on attendees' comments, we found that people liked the keynote speakers but were disappointed that there was no chance to interact with them . . . We have streamlined, but we feel we haven't lost any content." Both K-EaSt and K-wESt will have the same schedule of panels but will feature mostly different speakers. In New York, the opening panel, "The State Of The Billboard, MAY 10, 1997 Industry: The Retail Market Today," will feature Torrie Dorrell, VP of Kid Rhino; Steven Glass of kids' multimedia retail chain Building Blocks; and Mark Smyka, editor of children's entertainment trade publication Kid Screen. Smyka and Glass will also appear on the L.A. panel, which will be moderated by yours truly. Another L.A. panelist is Barry Hafft of Walt Disney Records marketing. Panel two is called "It's A Jungle Out There: Guerrilla And Alternative Marketing. " In New York, panelists include Lina Maini, executive director of KES and president of Mainiac Productions; Radio AAHS chief Gary Landis; Linda Morgenstern of promotion firm Morningstar Media; artist Kevin Roth; John Philips of Sony Wonder; and moderator Paul Hodes of children's act Peggosus. In L.A., panelists will include Maini; Ellen Barre of online company EntertainNet; artist Dave Kinnoin; Jim Connelly, president of education-market label Youngheart Music; Carol Lee of Sony Wonder; and moderator Lianne Sterling of kids' act the Bumblebeez. The final panel is "Don't Touch That Dial!: Kids' TV 1997 And Beyond." In New York, confirmed panelists include Nickelodeon's Brown Johnson, VP in charge of preschool programming block Nick Jr.; Steve McNie of Toronto-based Elephant Records; Richard Goldsmith of PBS preschool show "Big Comfy Couch"; Richard Morenoff of the Discovery Channel; Robbie Merkin of Children's Television Workshop/"Sesame Street"; and moderator Leib. Billboard, MAY 10, 1997 The L.A. panel, also to be moderated by Leib, will include Goldsmith; Fred Sibert, former president of his own animation firm, Frederator Inc.; Susan Lammers of Headbone Interactive; and voice actor June Foray, best known as the voice of Rocky the Flying Squirrel. "We're hoping to draw a whole new crowd on the West Coast," says Leib. "Very few have been able to make the trek east for previous KES events [which have been only held in New York]. People have been asking us for years to come to L.A." He adds, "If both K-EaSt and K-wESt work out, we'll be looking at doing seminars in the South and Midwest next year." KES registration fees are $ 250 through the end of this month. Those interested in registering can contact Leib at his New York office. Online registration is offered at www.KidsEntertainment.com. LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: May 7, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 20 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Gannett Company, Inc. USA TODAY May 9, 1997, Friday, FINAL EDITION SECTION: MONEY; Pg. 1B LENGTH: 1086 words HEADLINE: Disney Radio goes national Mickey Mouse joins battle for kids' ears BYLINE: Bruce Horovitz BODY: That's not pixie dust on your kid's radio dial. It's Disney. The Mouse-eared king of kids entertainment will announce today that it is entering the world of youth radio on a national basis. With Mickey Mouse spinning the dials, industry consultants say, radio may never be quite the same. USA TODAY, May 9, 1997 Radio is the only medium where Disney does not reach kids on a regular basis. But like so many spots on a dalmatian's back, Radio Disney plans to dot the nation with stations within three years. And it has an enormous base to draw from -- 21 stations owned by Disney subsidiary ABC Radio Division and ABC Radio Networks' 7,200 program affiliations at 2,900 stations. Radio Disney could spend more than $ 150 million on this national expansion, industry executives estimate. Executives from Radio Disney declined to discuss costs. Kids radio isn't kids' stuff. A schoolyard brawl has erupted for the eager ears of the nation's 38 million 2- to 12-year-olds who influence an estimated $ 8 billion in annual spending. More than 90% of kids under age 12 listen to radio an average seven hours weekly, according to one study. But many advertisers are reluctant to sign on for the most basic of reasons: No one regularly measures what stations kids are listening to. USA TODAY, May 9, 1997 Marketers, however, agree that kids are getting harder to reach. They are not spending as much time sitting bug-eyed in front of the TV all day, where they traditionally have been sitting ducks for advertisers. Instead, their time is increasingly fragmented -- often spent in front of computer screens playing video games. Critics contend Radio Disney is little but a promotional vehicle by which Disney hypes its movies, toys and TV shows. For example, the premiere of Disney's blockbuster summer film Hercules will be covered live by Radio Disney in late June. "We are not a big commercial for Disney," says David Kantor, president of ABC Radio Networks. "If we programmed too many Disney promotions, we'd risk losing listeners." Disney's arriving late to the show. Already the battle for young listeners is leaving behind more than bloody lips. Radio AAHS, whose parent company is Minneapolis-based Children's Broadcasting Corp., was the first to chase after the kids radio market nationally in 1992. Its stations reach about 40% of the national market. USA TODAY, May 9, 1997 Last year, it sued ABC Radio Networks, parent of Radio Disney. Radio AAHS had a strategic relationship with Disney for two years until Disney bought ABC. The lawsuit claims Radio Disney lifted Radio AAHS' broadcast style. "We'd like them to stop copying our format," says Christopher Dahl, CEO of Children's Broadcasting Corp. He says that's the chief reason his 7-year-old company is still losing money -- including a $ 7 million cash loss last year. The picture gets worse. On Valentine's Day, another kids radio competitor, Seattle-based KidStar Interactive, dropped out of kids radio. A merger agreement that was the key to cash-starved KidStar's survival reportedly fell through. Disney's decision to pump millions of dollars into the national launch of Radio Disney ultimately was made by CEO Michael Eisner. The decision comes just five months after testing kids radio in Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis and Birmingham, Ala. And it comes less than two years after Disney bought Capital Cities/ABC for $ 19 billion. USA TODAY, May 9, 1997 With that purchase came the mammoth ABC Radio Division, the nation's largest radio network. ABC Radio Networks reaches 133 million people weekly in 90 countries. That's a lot of ears to Disneyfy. And it helps explain Radio Disney's slogan: "We're all ears." Don't touch that dial Perhaps the best way to understand Radio Disney is to understand what it is not. It's not a couple hours of kids songs on some otherwise country radio station. Radio Disney broadcasts live 24-hours a day. If your kids happen to fall asleep with the radio on, they could very well wake up at 3 a.m. to the tune of Ronald McDonald coaxing them to buy Happy Meals. And Disney's format is not 66 versions of The Bear Went Over the Mountain. Its broadcasts typically are stuffed with freebie promotions, live telephone call-ins, news and sports tailored for kids and songs with crystal-clean lyrics. Typical Radio Disney songs include Hakuna Matata from The Lion King and Sheb Wooley singing Purple People Eater. USA TODAY, May 9, 1997 Disney Radio's midday shows are aimed at pre-schoolers. Its late afternoon and weekend shows target pre-teens who want to hear pop songs and win free gifts, such as recent giveaways of Teenie Beanie Babies and Nintendo 64. Who's out there in kid radioland? In its brief history, kids radio has had fuzzy reception, at best. But there's a growing recognition that many kids like to flick on the radio while doing homework or while bored senseless in the carpool to school. Most analysts say kids radio has a long way to grow. Fox Broadcasting has doodled with some kids radio formats, including a syndicated Fox Kids Countdown. And Nickelodeon, too, has looked into it. But the big problem remains the same. No one regularly tracks kid listeners. Advertisers rely on detailed audience tracking before buying radio ad time. Arbitron, the research giant, does not track kid radio listeners. So Radio Disney commissioned its own study of the four states where it's been broadcasting. The past five months, 20% of the population in those states tuned USA TODAY, May 9, 1997 in to the station at least once, the study shows. And nearly half of parents and kids in the four markets were at least aware of the radio network. Even more important to Disney: Ad sales were more than 50% over projections, says Kantor. Regular advertisers include McDonald's, Quaker Oats and toymaker Hasbro. For four months, Hasbro promoted Nerf toys on Radio Disney. Sales results aren't in yet, media director Julie Bockstiegel says. But, she adds, Hasbro turned to Radio Disney because "kids like anything they feel is talking to them." Growth will be rapid, says Kantor. Radio Disney plans to expand to 25 to 50 new markets a year. Eventually, kids radio could supply the key element missing from children's TV, says Peggy Charren, founder of Action for Children's Television: imagination. She's leery of the commercialization of Disney Radio, but it could be worse, she says. "Better that kids listen to Mickey Mouse than Howard Stern." USA TODAY, May 9, 1997 GRAPHIC: PHOTO, Color; PHOTO, Color, Jeffrey P. Grosscup LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: May 09, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 21 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Business Wire, Inc. Business Wire May 8, 1997, Thursday DISTRIBUTION: Business Editors/Computer Technology Writers LENGTH: 683 words HEADLINE: Palladium Interactive secures financial backing from top investors; Multimedia company's success draws high profile investor confidence DATELINE: LARKSPUR, Calif. BODY: May 8, 1997--Palladium Interactive, a leading multimedia content creator and publisher, announced today it has closed a $ 9 million round of financing led by Scripps Ventures along with Canaan Partners and U.S. Venture Partners (USVP), the company's original backers. This brings the total raised by the company to date to $ 15 million. In announcing the investment, Ed Bernstein, CEO and President of Palladium, said, Business Wire, May 8, 1997 "We're delighted that Scripps has joined Canaan and USVP. It's a terrific fit strategically -- and, we'd like to think, a reflection of our status as one of the real success stories in an extremely competitive industry." "Our success, and this financial support, comes at a time when many of our competitors are struggling. To survive and prosper in this market, you've got to be tough and move quickly. We're thriving by choosing the right products, building them economically, and distributing them effectively," Bernstein said. According to Douglas Stern, CEO of Scripps Ventures, "We really believe in Palladium and its team. Their track record in creating and marketing successful consumer software is unparalleled -- and they really understand how to build brands and market share in a competitive world." Scripps Ventures, based in New York City, is a division of the E.W. Scripps Company, the parent of United Media, one of the world's largest media syndicates. Its properties include Peanuts and Dilbert. Palladium Interactive, a privately held company, was founded by Bernstein in 1994 with backing first from Canaan Partners and later USVP, both located in Menlo Park. The company will use the new investment funds to further finance the development and marketing of its product lines which include genealogy, Business Wire, May 8, 1997 family entertainment, and humor titles. All Palladium Interactive products feature the company's unique "Internet inside" function that provides gateways to members only internet services that enhance the product experience in all of its original CD-ROM products. Palladium Interactive products include Family Gathering(TM), which was recently rated as the top genealogy software by Family PC magazine. Palladium is also known for establishing powerful alliances with respected licensors such as Lyrick Studios, parent company of the children's television program, WISHBONE(TM), and Highlights Inc., publisher of Highlights(R) for Children, America's largest circulation children's magazine. Additionally, Palladium Interactive produces parodies and comic entertainment products under its Parroty Interactive(TM) label. PYST(TM), the label's first product inspired by the best-selling PC adventure game, has sold more than 150,000 copies worldwide. Parroty Interactive's second release, a parody based on one of the most well-known entertainment franchises of all time, will be released later this spring. Additional Palladium Interactive titles which will be available in stores later this spring and summer include: -0- -- Ultimate Family Tree -- a substantially enhanced version of Palladium's top-rated genealogy software, Business Wire, May 8, 1997 Family Gathering. -- Highlights(R) Hidden Pictures Workshop -- a multimedia version of the Highlights for Children magazine. -- WISHBONE(TM) Print Tricks -- a print shop CD-ROM based on the popular canine TV character, WISHBONE. -0- More information on Palladium Interactive and its products can be obtained by accessing the company's Web site at www.palladiumnet.com CONTACT: Palladium Interactive Alexis Hunter, 415/464-5500 ext. 417 ahunter@palladiumnet.com or Access Communications Michelle Knoop, 415/904-7070 ext. 265 or 286 mknoop@accesspr.com LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: May 9, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 22 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 The Cincinnati Enquirer The Cincinnati Enquirer May 7, 1997, Wednesday, ALL EDITIONS SECTION: FINANCIAL, Pg. B10 LENGTH: 485 words HEADLINE: INDUSTRY NOTES: MEDIA & MARKETING P&G runs 2nd to GM in ad dollars BYLINE: JEFF HARRINGTON SOURCE: The Cincinnati Enquirer BODY: Procter & Gamble Co. ran second to General Motors Corp. last year in an informal contest about who lays claim to being the nation's biggest advertiser. According to an annual roundup in the trade publication Advertising Age, Cincinnati-based P&G spent $ 1.49 billion in measured ad spending in the The Cincinnati Enquirer, May 7, 1997 United States in 1996, up 3 percent. GM, by comparison, spent $ 1.71 billion, up more than 14 percent, to widen its lead over P&G. Rounding out the top five were Philip Morris Cos., Chrysler Corp. and Ford Motor Co. The spending estimates are compiled by Competitive Media Reporting, a New York research organization. The annual list also includes the top 200 "megabrands" in the country based on ad spending. Cincinnati-based Federated Department Stores made one of the biggest jumps on the megabrand list with its Macy's stores division spending $ 229.5 million in measured media. That's up 58.9 percent from spending in 1995, propelling Macy's to the 23rd largest brand. Last year, it was No. 43. With more than 200 stores across the country, Macy's has aggressively been advertising its private lines. P&G came in with six brands among the top 200: Pantene hair-care products (No. 65), Folgers coffees (No. 87), Crest dental products (No. 90), Oil of The Cincinnati Enquirer, May 7, 1997 Olay (No. 111), Cover Girl cosmetics (No. 149) and Tide detergents (No. 158). The only P&G brand to fall off the list was Aleve, which the company sold last year to Roche Holdings. P&G, in trying to hold down the growth of its $ 3 billion-plus worldwide ad budget, apparently was going against the flow. Ad spending on average was up 13.8 percent for the Top 200 brands with heavy advertising on automobiles and drugs driving spending. Ad Age described the spending growth as this week. Ad cetera . . . North Side Bank & Trust Co. has selected Liaison Marketing Communications Ltd. to help the bank with marketing and promotions. . . . Hill-Rom, the nation's largest maker of hospital beds and patient room systems, has redesigned its headwall product line with an assist from Cincinnati design firm Libby Perszyk Kathman. . . . Encore Computer Corp., a Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based maker of computer and storage systems, has picked Flynn, Sabatino & Day as agency of record for its national media planning and buying. Flynn's recorded billings are up 46 percent in the past two years, with billings exceeding $ 30 million in 1996. . . . Graeter's has begun selling a new summer T-shirt for $ The Cincinnati Enquirer, May 7, 1997 10 at its stores in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. . . . Drypers Corp., the top private-label diaper maker challenging P&G, will start shipping upgraded diapers and training pants with aloe vera next week in its biggest-ever ad campaign. The $ 15 million marketing push comes as Drypers also strikes a licensing pact with Children's Television Workshop's Sesame Street to start putting Big Bird and Elmo on diapers and pants. LOAD-DATE: May 8, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 23 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 BPI Communications, Inc. The Hollywood Reporter May 6, 1997 LENGTH: 428 words HEADLINE: Rob Kaplan has been named director of drama series development and vp nontraditional programming at CBS Entertainment. He was director of programming at UPN. Jodi Nussbaum has been upped to vp production at Children's Television Workshop. She was assistant vp production. Faye Beland has been named vp pay TV contract administration at Warner Bros. International Television Distribution. She was vp international theatrical/video distribution at ITC Entertainment Group. Allied John Ruscin has been named to the new position of president and chief operating officer of Ticketmaster Direct. He was president and CEO of CBS/Fox Co. Jim Main has been upped to senior vp corporate sales, Detroit, for Hachette Filipacchi Magazines. He was vp corporate sales, Detroit. Chris Shaw has been named vp distribution at Tekniche Inc. He was executive vp at Snell & Wilcox Inc. Cheryl Idell has been upped to president of strategic planning and research at Western International Media. She was president, director of research. Video Bob Topping has been upped to vp national accounts and Canadian markets at Buena Vista Home Video. He will oversee the management The Hollywood Reporter, May 6, 1997 of the company's key video business at national accounts such as Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target, Price-Costco and Sears. Dubi Ben-Shoham has been upped to vp home video at FM Entertainment. He will oversee the sales and marketing efforts of all FM Entertainment home video releases. Norm Burrington has been named director of rental distribution, Eastern region, at New Line Home Video. He was director of retail sales at Turner Home Entertainment. BODY: Film Michael Jacobs has been named vp worldwide sales for PorchLight Entertainment. He will be responsible for the global distribution of family and kids entertainment programs. Julie Haddon has been named director of marketing at Blue Sky Studios Inc. She will be responsible for the strategic planning and implementation of Blue Sky's marketing, promotions, public relations, ad campaigns, special events and new business development. Paul Kawasaki has been upped to the new position of head of production at Pavlov Prods. He will oversee the production and postproduction of ad campaigns by Pavlov's commercial directors. Alessandra Pasquino has been upped to producer at Pavlov Prods. She will bid projects, serve as a liaison between the company and its free-lance line producers and manage the postproduction of select commercials. Compiled by Rich Martin The Hollywood Reporter, May 6, 1997 LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: May 6, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 24 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 The Washington Post The Washington Post May 06, 1997, Tuesday, Final Edition NAME: MARC BROWN SECTION: STYLE; Pg. D01 LENGTH: 1385 words HEADLINE: ARTHUR! ARTHUR! The Beloved Book Character Has A Big New Role On Television. All It Took Was A Lot of Aardvark. BYLINE: Ellen Edwards, Washington Post Staff Writer BODY: Everyone seems to be looking for a way to connect with kids these days, but suddenly Marc Brown is reaching millions of them with an 8-year-old aardvark named Arthur. The Washington Post, May 06, 1997 His secret? "Truth," Brown says. "Arthur approaches problems in a way children can relate to, with no magical powers and no secret weapons. And children know when you're not being truthful." Truth may certainly be part of it, but television deserves a little credit, too. For the past 20 years, Arthur has been a happy little aardvark, busily solving the problems that face kids every day in a series of 21 picture books by Brown. But in October, "Arthur" joined PBS's daily children's lineup as an animated half hour, and now more than 9 million people are watching every week. (In Washington, WETA Channel 26 airs the show Mondays through Fridays at 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and at 10 a.m. on Sundays; Maryland Public Television Channel 22 airs it at 7:30 a.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9:30 a.m. Saturdays.) Popular from the minute it went on the air, "Arthur" now ranks third among PBS kids' shows, inching up behind the venerated "Sesame Street" and the purple behemoth at No. 1, "Barney." The sale of foreign rights will soon bring the show to kids in 96 more countries. And viewers are becoming readers. A spokeswoman for publisher Little, Brown & Co. says book sales increased 300 percent in the first three months of the show and are still rising. In the 20 years before the series came to TV, 10 million copies were sold. Now, in March alone, the books sold 2 million copies. The Washington Post, May 06, 1997 "Arthur" has knocked R.L. Stine's wildly popular "Goosebumps" off the top of the bestseller list for children's series. Libraries and bookstores say demand is overwhelming. "A TV star? I can't process this," Brown says with a laugh from his home in Hingham, Mass., where he lives with his wife and 10-year-old daughter. His two sons, 21 and 24, are grown and gone, but their influence lingers. "Twenty years ago my son asked me to tell him a story about a weird animal one night. 'Once upon a time there was a little aardvark.' I picked an 'A' name and I drew him a picture. Arthur had a very long nose and the story was about his nose." That turned into "Arthur's Nose," the first book in the series, which Brown submitted to Little, Brown and sold immediately. "Arthur probably is a little bit like I was in third grade," says Brown, who admits reluctantly to having just turned 50. "Do we have to do the age thing?" he whines, asking quickly, "Am I whining?" Arthur whines only occasionally. In fact, he is a particularly gentle boy, who has to deal with a menagerie of trouble: his pesky 5-year-old aardvark sister D.W., his tough rat teacher Mr. Ratburn, a bulldog named Binky Barnes The Washington Post, May 06, 1997 who is the class bully, and Francine, the monkey with a crush on him. Every day he faces the decisions that loom so large in a child's life: How to cooperate with classmates to complete a school report, how to earn enough money to buy a toy for his dog, Pal, how to get someone to play the turkey in the Thanksgiving play he is directing. But the show also tackles broader subjects such as the banning of books, sibling rivalry and jealousy. Arthur, his family and his friends have a fundamental authenticity that makes kids believe in them. Though a team of educational advisers vets every story and script, the stories remain free of fussy grown-up touches. "There's enough use of the word 'barf bag' to make it naughty," says Alice Cahn, director of children's programming at PBS. Cahn says the program is aimed at "Sesame Street" graduates, children ages 4 to 8, for whom PBS traditionally has had little to offer. "The 'Arthur' books appeal to a 3-year-old," she says, "but Arthur is in third grade, so you don't have to be embarrassed reading them." "It does something 'Sesame Street' knew enough to do 30 years ago," says children's television advocate Peggy Charren. "It works for parents. So they The Washington Post, May 06, 1997 remember to turn it on, and they watch it with their offspring, which multiplies the benefits." Traces of Brown's own life appear in his aardvark's world. Arthur's Grandma Thora is modeled on his paternal Grandma Thora, a wonderful storyteller who was, he says, the most influential person during his youth in Erie, Pa. "She was a very strong person in a gentle way," he recalls wistfully. "Her husband had died when she was very young and she had a business working out of her car. We'd make these Saturday deliveries and see all of these homes with all these different ethnic backgrounds. "She was the one person who really believed in me. I think every kid has a chance if they have someone like that. I think my parents were afraid I would be an artist -- but I went to her house once and she opened her dresser drawer and it was filled with all these paintings I had done. I felt they must be special." It was Grandma Thora who saved enough money to send Brown to art school in Cleveland when his parents couldn't afford it. "She made so little money," he says, "but she put away $ 2 or $ 5 every week. She was the one who got me there." The Washington Post, May 06, 1997 Arthur the aardvark came to PBS when Carol Greenwald, of the Boston public station WGBH, approached Brown with the idea. She says she had been looking for a way to use television to attract children to reading. "I just knew kids would like Arthur," she says. "It's very clear they think he's real." She says Arthur's page on the PBS Web site gets about 1,500 e-mails a week, many from children proposing story ideas. "They say, 'Arthur, my best friend just moved away. Why don't you write about that?' " Brown had turned down approaches from commercial television "because it just didn't feel right." He made it clear to WGBH that he wanted to be intimately involved in the television show. He insisted that the animators use real children for the voices, so that they would be authentic, and he was involved in choosing those voices. Television, he says "allowed me to think in terms of sound and movement." But television also gobbles up ideas. Each half-hour program consists of two 12-minute animated stories, separated by a section in which real children talk about ways they might solve the problems facing Arthur. This first season -- 30 half hours -- has required 60 stories. The Washington Post, May 06, 1997 "I opened up my idea drawer," Brown says, "and I had about 100 different ideas. I can't work as fast as television does, so I passed them on to the writers." He follows carefully the progress of each show. The time Brown devotes to the show has meant reducing the number of visits he has been making to schools and libraries around the country for more than 10 years. (Arthur, however, is making public appearances, including one at the National Zoo's Children's Zoofari from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and again at the opening of WETA's Pentagon City Store of Knowledge on Saturday, June 7, from 11 to 1.) Instead, Brown now finds himself at the center of the Arthur industry. The first season of shows cost $ 12 million, with PBS putting in $ 750,000 and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting contributing another $ 1.25 million. The rest must come from the producers and private support. "There was great benefit to an existing character," says PBS's Cahn, "but it may have been more expensive buying the rights to someone that was that well known." WGBH and its co-producer, Cinar animators, found some outside funding from two corporate underwriters, Juicy Juice and the Gap. Additional revenue will The Washington Post, May 06, 1997 be raised by marketing some products spun off the characters -- everything from a "Dress-Me Arthur" doll to T-shirts, slippers and pajamas. Public broadcasting will get a cut of all the "Arthur" marketing, including increased revenue from the zooming book sales. Brown says he wants to learn from the experience of the "Barney" producers who oversaturated the market with Barney spinoffs. "Half of me wants to show great restraint," Brown says, "but people keep telling me, 'Arthur's white-hot, Marc, he's white-hot.' " Still, Brown is trying not to get completely carried away by this recent burst of success. "When Arthur starts wearing sunglasses to the breakfast table," he says with a gentle laugh, "we're going to have to have a serious talk." GRAPHIC: Illustration, marc brown; Photo, christopher fitzgerald for The Washington Post, Author and illustrator Marc Brown: "Arthur probably is a little bit like I was in third grade." "Arthur," which went on the air in October, is now the third most popular children's show on PBS. Here the title character battles chicken pox. The Washington Post, May 06, 1997 LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: May 06, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 25 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Crain Communications Inc. Advertising Age May 05, 1997 SECTION: News; Pg. 8 LENGTH: 387 words HEADLINE: VALUE-BRAND DRYPERS READIES BIGGEST AD PUSH: $15 MIL CAMPAIGN TO BACK DIAPERS UPGRADED TO MATCH GIANT RIVALS BYLINE: Jack Neff BODY: Drypers Corp. on May 15 will launch upgraded diapers and training pants containing aloe vera with a $15 million consumer and trade ad campaign that the company labels its biggest ever. The value brand is holding prices and will match features on premium lines such as Kimberly-Clark Corp.'s Huggies Supreme and Procter & Gamble Co.'s Pampers Premium diapers, including adding a breathable clothlike outer cover Advertising Age, May 05, 1997 and stretchy waistband. Drypers also is linking with Children's Television Workshop's ''Sesame Street'' brand in a category-exclusive licensing and sponsorship deal, putting such characters as Big Bird and Elmo on diaper packages, waistbands and training pant covers and sponsoring ''Sesame Street'' Live performances nationwide this year. Print ads by Gerber Advertising, Portland, Ore., will break in July issues of Sesame Street, Parents, Baby Talk and Child. Drypers will back the rollout with couponing, including via free-standing inserts, in-store and direct mail. CO-OP TV CONTINUES Drypers will continue co-op TV with selected retailers and is considering an expansion of TV advertising as part of the rollout, said Terry Tognietti, president and co-CEO. ''Now we are carving out a differentiated position in the category,'' said David Olsen, VP- marketing, who sees the new product transforming Drypers Advertising Age, May 05, 1997 ''from a value to a value-added brand.'' Drypers' sales were up 20.9% for the 52 weeks ended March 30, to $111 million, according to Information Resources Inc. Mr. Tognietti attributed the increase to last year's addition of baking soda to the product, which he said helped Drypers increase its distribution. He expects the aloe vera to help Drypers expand to 70% of the country. GRAPHIC: LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: May 08, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 26 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Reed Elsevier Inc. Daily Variety May 5, 1997 Monday SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 9 LENGTH: 718 words HEADLINE: EXEC SHUFFLE BODY: Allan Broce has joined MTV as senior VP marketing, supervising all of the network's marketing and on-air promotions. Broce had served as director of advertising and program marketing for ESPN and ESPN2. Cecelia Holloway has been named senior VP-human resources at Spelling Entertainment Group. In the newly created position, Holloway will be responsible for establishing and overseeing the company's HR policies and programs. She joins from Spelling subsid Virgin Interactive. Daily Variety, May 5, 1997 E! Entertainment Television has bumped Amy Bates to VP, affiliate marketing. She'll oversee direction and management of all affiliate marketing and local ad sales functions for the cabler. With E! since 1991, Bates moves up from her affil marketing director slot. Harriet Abraham was named VP-programming operations at ABC Daytime, from director of production. Abraham, a 19-year Alphabet web vet, will coordinate activities between production, business affairs, marketing and promotion departments for ABC's four daytime dramas. Todd-AO/Editworks has named Britt de Bie president. With a staff of more than 30, she'll be responsible for all production, financial, sales and administrative functions at the post services house. De Bie, who joined Todd-AO in 1993, had been acting prexy since December. American Movie Classics/Romance Classics cable nets have tapped Sid Eshleman Western region VP. Eshleman joins the nets from cabler Discovery, where he was a senior manager. Gordon Hall has been upped to VP of production for Showtime sports & event programming. Hall, who joined Showtime in 1990 from NBC Sports, will handle budgets, personnel, facilities & equipment and production planning. Daily Variety, May 5, 1997 Saban Licensing & Merchandising has named Sharon Markowitz senior director and has tapped Frank Keating marketing director. Markowitz, who comes to Saban from Disney Licensing, will oversee licensing category development. Keating joins from Disney Consumer Products. TVT Records has bumped John Monroe to senior director of national sales and has named John Hammond director of media & advertising. Monroe joined TVT in 1993; Hammond joins the diskery from Rykodisc. Lifetime Television has tapped Pat Baughman VP-Central region of affiliate relations and has named Todd Schwartz series & specials director for the East Coast. Baughman will oversee contract negotiations, affil marketing and ad sales activities for 18 states and the Caribbean. She joined Lifetime in 1988. Joining the cabler from NBC Entertainment, Schwartz will handle development of series and specials. Children's multimedia outfit JP Kids has named Tina Peel exec VP, creative operations. Based in New York, Peel will oversee the television/multimedia development, educational/research and distribution/sales groups. Peel comes to JP Kids after a 15-year stint at Children's Television Workshop. Daily Variety, May 5, 1997 Columbia TriStar Interactive has tapped David Lee Hankin VP, biz affairs. He joins from Brown, Raysman, Millstein, Feider & Steiner. European Communication Management Ltd. has appointed Dighton Spooner VP, television program development. Spooner has had stints at CBS TV and Savoy Pictures Television's Once Upon a Time Films. Pubcaster KCET has tapped Gary L. Ferrell senior VP-business development and chief financial officer. A 10-year KCET vet, Ferrell will handle development and management of station business ventures. Also, Susan Erburu Reardon has been named general counsel at the station. Reardon joins from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. Paul Morgan has been upped to senior director, creative, at EMI Music Publishing, East Coast. He'll focus on signing new writers, while working with EMI's existing artists and catalog. Morgan joined EMI's Gotham office in 1992 from EMI Publishing U.K. Charlottesville, Va.-based Nimbus Mfg. has named Paula M. Tait VP of sales and marketing for its entertainment division. Tait joins the CD-maker from Mediacopy. Daily Variety, May 5, 1997 Western Intl. Media has bumped Cheryl Idell to president of strategic planning & research, and has tapped Bruce Goerlich research director. Columbia TriStar Home Video has upped George Anderson to exec director of creative & production services. In the newly created post, Anderson will oversee all creative elements relating to the company's packaging, ad and promo activities. LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: May 6, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 27 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Crain Communications Inc. Electronic Media May 05, 1997 SECTION: People; Pg. 31 LENGTH: 1907 words HEADLINE: WHO IS NEWS BODY: Broadcast TV John Ray to president and general manager, WRDW-TV, Augusta, Ga., from president and general manager, WJHG-TV, Panama City, Fla. Terry Cole to president and general manager, WJHG-TV, Panama City, Fla., from vice president and general sales manager, WRDW-TV, Augusta, Ga. Bruce Gordon to president and general manager, WTVD-TV, Raleigh-Durham, N.C., from director, finance, administration and planning, KABC-TV, Los Angeles. Electronic Media, May 05, 1997 Glenn Wright to senior vice president, television group, A.H. Belo Corp., Dallas, from vice president and general manager, KIRO-TV, Seattle-Tacoma, Wash. Also at A.H. Belo, Ilene Engel to director, news, from news director, KIRO; and William Mosley to controller, from controller, KIRO. Bert Medina to vice president of programming and operations, Sunbeam Television, Miami, from corporate director of programming. John Woodin to vice president and general manager, KIRO-TV, Seattle, from vice president and general manager, WHIO-TV, Dayton, Ohio. David Boylan to vice president and general manager, WTVT-TV, Tampa, Fla., from vice president and general manager, WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point/Winston Salem, N.C. Jonathan Barzilay to vice president and general manager of children's programming, ABC Television Network, New York, from vice president, ABC Television Network Group and acting general manager of children's programming. Gail Brekke, vice president and station manager, WBNE-TV, New Haven, Conn., will also take on the role of director, new station development, LIN Television, New Haven. Electronic Media, May 05, 1997 Bill Lamb to vice president and general manager, WMBD-TV, AM and WPBG-FM, Peoria, Ill., from station manager. Marty Miller to general sales manager, WJWB, Jacksonville, Fla., from general sales manager, WBNE-TV, Hartford, Conn. Greg Bendin to general sales manager, WBNE-TV, New Haven, Conn., from local sales manager, WNYW-TV, New York. Tim Gianettino to national sales manager, WTVD-TV, Raleigh/Durham/Fayetteville, N.C., from account executive, ABC National Television Sales, New York. Steve Gleason to director, programming, Media General Broadcast Group, Tampa, Fla., from, WCBD-TV, Charleston, S.C. Cris Chavarria to director of programming and promotion, KGTV, San Diego, from director of creative services, WLS-TV, Chicago. Cheryl Carson to vice president, news, WTVT-TV, Tampa, Fla., from assistant news director. Electronic Media, May 05, 1997 John Martin to local sales manager, WUHF-TV, Rochester, N.Y., from national sales manager. Michael Michell to research manager, WNBC-TV, New York, from research analyst. Cable John Kelley to senior vice president, communications, VH1, Santa Monica, Calif., from vice president, publicity, East Coast, Paramount Pictures, New York. Charles Lilles, president and chief executive officer, US West Media Group, Denver, has joined the Ascent Entertainment Group Board of Directors, Denver. Ignacio Sanz de Acedo to marketing manager, The Weather Channel Latin America, Miami, from marketing manager, Discovery Channel Latin America. Jayson Juraska, vice president, operations, Cox Communications, Atlanta, was named to the CTAM Board of Directors. Mr. Juraska replaces Bob O'Leary, who resigned after he was promoted to chief financial officer, Cox Enterprises, Atlanta. Electronic Media, May 05, 1997 Donna Friedman and Valerie McCarty to vice presidents of marketing, Nickelodeon Latin America, Miami. Previously, Ms. Friedman was associate creative director, Nickelodeon International, New York, while Ms. McCarty was Nickelodeon Latin America's vice president of communications. Also at Nickelodeon Latin America, Annie Salas to director of on-air promotions, from senior producer, Broadcast Video Entertainment, Miami. Harriet Shultz to vice president, West Coast operations, MTV Networks, Santa Monica, Calif., from vice president, Western Region, MTV Networks Advertising Sales. Dan Sullivan to marketing director, CNN Marketing & Creative Services, Atlanta, from operations director. Also at CNN, Jeanette Sundberg to director, international marketing, from department manager. Byron Marchant to senior vice president and general counsel, BET Holdings, Washington, from partner, Patton Boggs LLP, Washington. Todd Schwartz to director, series and specials, East Coast, Lifetime Television, New York, from director, specials, variety and late-night programs, NBC Entertainment, New York. Electronic Media, May 05, 1997 Ben Floor to territory manager, Southern region, Bravo and the Independent Film Channel, Westlake, Texas, from distribution manager, Northeast. Also at Bravo and IFC, Theresa Britto to corporate marketing manager, from supervisor, affiliate marketing; and Debbie DeMontreau to manager, packaging and production, from production administrator. Distribution Michael Rose to chief operating officer, GRB Entertainment, Studio City, Calif., from president and chief executive officer, Times Mirror Multimedia, Los Angeles. Craig Van Gorp to senior vice president, sales, Cabin Fever Entertainment, Atlanta, from vice president, sales. Also at Cabin Fever, Jeff Plain to Northeast regional sales manager, Greenwich, Conn., from senior vice president, purchasing, movies, Stamford, Conn. Meri Chermak-Hassouni to vice president, co-productions, SPI International, New York, from producer and vice president, international sales and acquisitions, ANS International, New York. Also at SPI International, Clifford Tendler to vice president, Far East sales, New York, from director, international sales and operations, King World's Orbit Satellite Television Electronic Media, May 05, 1997 Network, New York. Sharon Markowitz to senior director, licensing and merchandising, Saban Entertainment, Los Angeles, from manager, Toys & Sporting Goods, Disney Licensing, Los Angeles. Also at Saban, Frank Keating to marketing director, from marketing manager, Walt Disney Records, Disney Consumer Products, Los Angeles. New Media Karl Conner to general manager, CRT*Multimedia, Dallas, from district manager, Mid-Atlantic region, Microsoft Corp., Redmond, Wash. Troy Jones to Internet developer, new media and Internet solutions, Mills/James Productions, Columbus, Ohio, from World Wide Web manager, The American Ceramic Society, Columbus. David Lee Hankin to vice president, business affairs, Columbia TriStar Interactive, Los Angeles, from Brown Raysman & Millstein, Los Angeles. Journalism Electronic Media, May 05, 1997 Michele Ruiz to reporter for the new investigative unit, KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, from reporter, 11 a.m. news. Also at KTLA, Jennifer York to co-anchor, 11 a.m. news. Carolyn Fessler to news director, KOTV, Tulsa, Okla., from executive news producer, WFAA-TV, Dallas. Alvaro Romero to executive producer, 9 p.m. news, WGN-TV, Chicago, from producer, WABC-TV, New York. Ralph Robinson to executive producer, WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, from WDIV-TV, Detroit. Also at WTHR, Anita Smith to anchor/reporter, from WFOR-TV, Miami; and Jon Ryan to nightbeat producer, from WBRC-TV, Birmingham, Ala. Production Tina Peel to executive vice president, creative operations, JP Kids, New York, from vice president, production research, Children's Television Workshop, New York. David Tetreault to manager, stations marketing, Warner Bros. Marketing & Advertising Services, Los Angeles, from marketing consultant, Columbia Electronic Media, May 05, 1997 TriStar Television. Maria Ceballos to director, international production and program development, Centauro Communicaciones, Miami, from director, regional sales, APA International, Miami. Radio Stephen Hildebrandt to vice president and general counsel, CBS Radio, New York, from associate general counsel. Other Theodore Cutler, vice president, Time Warner Cable, named to the board of directors of the Cable Advertising Bureau. Also at CAB: Weather Channel President Michael Eckert to vice chairman; Lifetime Television President Doug McCormick to treasurer; Continental Cablevision Senior Vice President of Programming Rob Stengel to secretary. TV Food President Erica Gruen, TCI Communications Group B President Marvin Jones and StarNet President William Stanfield were elected directors. Electronic Media, May 05, 1997 To have your personnel announcement considered for Who Is News, please mail, fax or e-mail information to Sara Teasdale, ELECTRONIC*MEDIA, 740 N. Rush St., Chicago, Ill. 60611. The fax is 312-649-5465. The e-mail address is steasdal@crain.com. GRAPHIC: BRUCE GORDON WTVD-TV; TODD SCHWARTZ Lifetime; MICHAEL ROSE GRB Entertainment; SHARON MARKOWITZ Saban; FRANK KEATING Saban; MICHELE RUIZ KTLA-TV; JENNIFER YORK KTLA-TV; S. HILDEBRANDT CBS Radio LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: May 08, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 28 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 The Times-Picayune Publishing Co. The Times-Picayune May 4, 1997 Sunday, THIRD SECTION: MONEY; Pg. F2 LENGTH: 828 words HEADLINE: KIDVID IS THE LATEST TURF FOR TELEPHONE SCAM ARTISTS BYLINE: By SUSAN ANTILLA Bloomberg News DATELINE: NEW YORK BODY: You know about Mr. Rogers, Big Bird and Barney, the saccharine-as-they-come purple dinosaur that raked in millions. Well now, kiddies, there may also be a "fun-loving, magical farmer" named Mr. Buckethead coming to a TV screen near you. The Times-Picayune, May 4, 1997 Mr. B., if you couldn't figure it out on your own, walks around wearing a bucket as a hat, which must be tough going when it's time to bend over to milk Elsie. He also is the host of what's been billed as the surest road to profits since Barney took over entire sections of F.A.O. Schwartz. And that means he and his show, "Barnyard Place," are a very hot investment opportunity for Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa. At least, this is what's pitched in a two-page sales script written for cold-callers who operated briefly out of a boiler room in Scottsdale, Ariz. While "Barnyard Place" might indeed be a viable show, the Arizona regulators said April 6 that telemarketers should cease efforts to sell interests in the show because the investments are unregistered, and because the people doing the pitching were fudging the facts, in the regulators' view. Investments that play off a perceived need for more children's television have become the hot new area for scams, according to regulators who keep an eye out for the latest swindle. "We're aware of it being a problem, and we're looking at a company but haven't gone public with the case yet," said G. William McDonald, assistant commissioner in the enforcement division at the California Securities The Times-Picayune, May 4, 1997 Commission. "We're working on several cases with similar products: programs aimed at children," said Philip Feigen, securities commissioner for the Colorado Division of Securities. It doesn't hurt that the public has heard about small production companies coming up with big hits lately, he said. "With 'Shine' and other examples of independents making important movies for very little money, these guys are pitching that 'You can get in on the ground floor, too.' " The Federal Communications Commission in 1996 inadvertently gave scamsters a credible new theme, saying that TV stations would have to air at least three hours of educational programming for children each week. "To meet the demand" given the pressure for more good children's shows, Barnyard Place was born, a Barnyard video sent to interested investors states. The script for Barnyard begins with an explanation that the caller, who was an "associate producer" not a salesperson, worked for the Frank Capra family. Arizona regulators provided a copy of the script. "I'm sure you've heard of some of the mega films that the Capra Family has been involved in," the script reads, citing such films as "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." The Times-Picayune, May 4, 1997 Indeed, Frank Capra Jr., son of the renowned movie figure, is president and an initial member/manager of the limited liability company called Barnyard Place Partners LLC, the Burbank company formed for the purpose of raising money to produce "Barnyard Place." Regulators aren't questioning the pedigree of Capra Jr., though. They're wondering about the sales pitch being used by Barnyard, and are charging that Capra's sales team was a group of unregistered brokers selling unregistered securities. A classified ad in The Arizona Republic in late February sought out "PRO-CLOSERS" who could "Earn big $$ working with a 1st class team" in Scottsdale," which turned out to be the Barnyard peddlers employed by an unregistered brokerage firm called Scottsdale Financial. Sharon Fox, assistant director in Arizona's enforcement division, said salespeople in Arizona were directed to tell potential investors that they were calling from Burbank, California, "right next to NBC." To support the ruse, cold callers were also instructed to tell potential investors that the weather in Burbank was overcast, "because Burbank is always overcast and you won't go wrong," the complaint stated. The Times-Picayune, May 4, 1997 No one answered the telephones at Scottsdale Financial. Capra did not respond to messages left for him in Burbank. Chris Paulick, a "producer" at Silver Vision Entertainment, did not return a telephone call. There was no published telephone number for Jack Combs, president of Scottsdale Financial, who was a stockbroker with Harris Securities Inc. until last July, his records with state securities regulators show. Fox, the Arizona investigator, said as far as she knows, Scottsdale Financial wasn't in business long enough to collect any money from the investors it tried to woo. "Scottsdale Financial was only organized a month ago," she said. Fox said her unit regularly "scouts the ads in the paper" looking for outfits recruiting cold-callers. "We have an investigative staff here that goes out and gets hired," she said. While she wouldn't divulge whether that's how Arizona wound up shutting down Scottsdale Financial, you can draw your own conclusions about how the investigators got the inside poop on the marketing of Mr. Buckethead. LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: May 5, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 29 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 The Cincinnati Enquirer The Cincinnati Enquirer May 2, 1997, Friday, ALL EDITIONS SECTION: FINANCIAL, Pg. B09 LENGTH: 577 words HEADLINE: BUSINESS DIGEST NATIONAL Big Bird joins diapers wars SOURCE: Dow Jones News Service BODY: Drypers Corp. has a new ally in its battle with rival diaper-makers Huggies and Pampers: Big Bird. The Houston-based company Thursday said it acquired the exclusive right to use images of Sesame Street characters on its diapers from the show's creator, Children's Television Workshop. Terms were not disclosed. The Cincinnati Enquirer, May 2, 1997 Drypers, the No. 4 diaper company behind Kimberly-Clark's Huggies and Procter & Gamble's Pampers and Luvs, has relied on new product introductions to gain market share and remain competitive. Also Thursday, Drypers disclosed its new Aloe Vera diapers, expected to be on its shelves in July. It also is adding a breathable cloth-like outer cover to its diapers as well as a waistband to improve the fit. The Sesame Street characters will help Drypers attain brand recognition, the company said. A convenience package of Drypers tends to be about $ 1 cheaper than Huggies or Pampers diapers. IBM, Prudential deal Dow Jones News Service International Business Machines Corp.'s Global Services unit has entered an additional agreement to provide information technology services to Prudential Insurance Co. of America, the two companies said Thursday. The Cincinnati Enquirer, May 2, 1997 Under terms of the five-year, $ 200 million agreement, IBM Global Services will provide information technology services for Prudential's HealthCare unit. Time Warner cancels Bloomberg Business News Time Warner Inc. said it plans to shut down its Full Service Network interactive-television system in Orlando, Fla., by the end of the year. Time Warner launched the system in December 1994 to allow its cable customers to order movies, food and clothing and to play games over their TV sets. The move comes as many cable companies back away from their once-ambitious plans to offer interactive television service in favor of investing in Internet and other services. Time Warner reaches about 12 million subscribers over its cable networks throughout the country. Online services settle Bloomberg Business News The Cincinnati Enquirer, May 2, 1997 America Online Inc., CompuServe Corp. and Prodigy Inc. have negotiated a settlement over Federal Trade Commission complaints that the online services misled consumers about the terms of free trial offers and automatic billing practices. The country's major computer information services all agreed to changes in their marketing and billing practices, the FTC said. America Online also said it will establish a program to educate consumers about their rights when agreeing to electronic payments. The settlement includes no financial penalties. The FTC voted 5-0 to tentatively approve the settlement. The agreement is open to public comment for 60 days before the commission can vote to give final approval. INTERNATIONAL Amro buys U.S. thrift Dow Jones News Service Dutch banking giant ABN Amro Holding NV Thursday said it completed its $ 1. 9 billion acquisition of Standard Federal Bancorp, one of the biggest U.S. thrifts. The Cincinnati Enquirer, May 2, 1997 ABN Amro, based in Amsterdam, is the largest bank in the Netherlands. It has assets of $ 70 billion in North America and $ 385 billion worldwide. Standard Federal, based in Troy, Mich., had $ 15.5 billion in assets as of October and $ 900 million in stockholder equity. The acquisition increases ABN Amro's North American banking holdings by 22 percent. It also gives ABN Amro 182 bank branches and 11 mortgage offices in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and northwest Ohio. LOAD-DATE: May 5, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 30 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 The Houston Chronicle Publishing Company The Houston Chronicle May 2, 1997, Friday, 3 STAR Edition SECTION: BUSINESS; Business digest; Pg. 1 LENGTH: 189 words HEADLINE: BRIEFCASE; Drypers exec is tickled to have Elmo, Oscar BYLINE: Staff BODY: Oscar the Grouch is moving out of his garbage can and into the diaper pail. Houston-based Drypers Corp. has signed an exclusive licensing agreement to use ''Sesame Street"" characters on its diapers and training pants. ""We are extremely proud of being selected as the only diaper manufacturer to use the images of Sesame Street characters such as Big Bird, Elmo and Oscar the Grouch on our products,'' The Houston Chronicle, May 2, 1997 said Drypers Chairman Walter V. Klemp. ""We believe this an affirmation of our ability to develop successful marketing programs. '' The Sesame Street characters will be featured only on Drypers' premium products, Klemp said. The characters will be displayed on the diapers' packaging, diaper tape and training-pant cover. Drypers' contract with the Children's Television Workshop, which owns the trademarks, is set to run for three years. ""When we started discussing the idea of putting Sesame Street characters together with a diaper product, my first thought was of Drypers, the same kind I use at home with my own newborn,'' said Sesame Street's vice president of marketing, Jeanne Taylor. GRAPHIC: Drawing: Oscar the Grouch (color) LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: May 3, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 31 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Business Wire, Inc. Business Wire May 1, 1997, Thursday DISTRIBUTION: Business Editors LENGTH: 753 words HEADLINE: Drypers Corporation enters into exclusive licensing agreement for Sesame Street characters DATELINE: HOUSTON BODY: May 1, 1997-- Introduces major new product innovation--Drypers with Aloe Vera Drypers Corporation (Nasdaq: DYPR) today announced that it had entered into an exclusive licensing agreement for the use of Sesame Street characters on its diapers and training pants. The Company also announced the introduction of a Business Wire, May 1, 1997 major new product innovation, Drypers with Aloe Vera. Walter V. Klemp, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, noted, "This is a continuing part of the Company's strategy to be an industry leader in developing significant new product innovations and creative marketing strategies." "The introduction of Drypers with Aloe Vera is one of a series of new product improvements that appeal to the concerns of parents looking for ways to protect their baby's sensitive skin," Klemp noted. "Like our previous product introductions, including perfume-free diapers and Drypers with Natural Baking Soda, these new products are market driven and derive from extensive market research. As evidenced by the success of Drypers with Natural Baking Soda, we believe that these new features have the potential to significantly increase the Company's domestic penetration and market share." The Company noted that it expects Drypers with Aloe Vera to be on retailer's shelves in July of 1997. Concurrent with the aloe vera introduction, Drypers will add a breathable cloth-like outer covering as well as a waistband with improved fit to its diapers. The Company also noted that pursuant to the licensing agreement with the Children's Television Workshop, it had been named the exclusive diaper manufacturer allowed to use the images of Sesame Street characters on its products. The license will be in effect for three years. These characters will be used on the Company's premium products and packaging, beginning in July. Mr. Klemp added, "We are extremely proud of being selected as the only diaper manufacturer to use the images of Sesame Street characters, such as Big Bird, Elmo and Oscar the Business Wire, May 1, 1997 Grouch, on our products. We believe this is an affirmation of our ability to develop successful marketing programs such as the winter theme diaper introduced during the last holiday season." Sesame Street's Vice President of Marketing, Jeanne Taylor, explained, "When we started discussing the idea of putting Sesame Street characters together with a diaper product, my first thought was of Drypers, the same kind I use at home with my own newborn." Taylor added, "Sesame Street is delighted to continue promoting education with the help of Drypers--we know how crucial the early years are and learning starts from day one, from the first interaction with baby, even from the first diaper change." This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve assumptions and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially. Some of the more significant factors that could cause or contribute to such differences are noted in the Company's Reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q, and include, but are not limited to, competitive and economic factors, price changes by competitors, changes in costs of raw materials, timing of technical advances by the Company and its competitors, lack of acceptance by consumers of new products, and fluctuations in currency values and economic conditions in international markets. Drypers Corporation manufactures and markets premium disposable baby diapers and related products under the Drypers and other brand names. The Company's products are sold through grocery stores and mass merchants throughout the United States, Latin America and other international markets. The Company also produces other branded and private label diapers and related Business Wire, May 1, 1997 products. CONTACT: Drypers Corporation Walter V. Klemp Chairman & Co-Chief Executive Officer (713) 682-6848 or Howard Zar/Shannon Moody Press: Michael McMullan Morgen-Walke Associates (212) 850-5600 LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: May 2, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 32 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Entertainment Law Reporter Publishing Company Entertainment Law Reporter May, 1997 SECTION: DEPARTMENTS; In the Law Reviews; Vol. 18, No. 12 LENGTH: 2795 words BODY: Comm/Ent, Hastings Communications and Entertainment Law Journal, has published Volume 19, Number 1 with the following articles: VARA'S First Five Years by Simon J. Frankel, 19 Comm/Ent, Hastings Communications and Entertainment Law Journal 1 (1996) The Case for Color-Blind Distress Sales by Michael E. Lewyn, 19 Comm/Ent, Hastings Communications and Entertainment Law Journal 31 (1996) Return to Hot Wheels: The FCC, Program-Length Commercials, and the Children's Television Act of 1990 by Allen K. Rostron, 19 Comm/Ent, Hastings Communications and Entertainment Law Journal 57 (1996) Entertainment Law Reporter, May, 1997 The Communications Decency Act and The Indecent Indecency Spectacle by David Kushner, 19 Comm/Ent, Hastings Communications and Entertainment Law Journal 87 (1996) The Shirts Off Their Backs: Colleges Getting Away with Violating the Right of Publicity by Vladimir P. Belo, 19 Comm/Ent, Hastings Communications and Entertainment Law Journal 133 (1996) Caught in the Web: Entrapment Law in Cyberspace by Jennifer Gregg, 19 Comm/Ent, Hastings Communications and Entertainment Law Journal 157 (1996) Patent Law's Nonobviousness Requirement: TheEffect of Inconsistent Standards Regarding Commercial Success on the Individual Inventor by Reed W.L. Marcy, 19 Comm/Ent, Hastings Communications and Entertainment Law Journal 199 (1996) Contracting Into Liability Rules: Intellectual Property Rights and Collective Rights Organizations by Robert P. Merges, 84 California Law Review 1293 (1996) The Journal of Intellectual Property Law, published by University of Georgia School of Law, Athens, GA 30602-6012, has issued Volume 4, Number 1 with the following articles: Entertainment Law Reporter, May, 1997 Copyright and Free Speech Rights by L. Ray Patterson and Judge Stanley F. Birch, Jr., 4 Journal of Intellectual Property Law 1 (1996) (for address, see above) OFAC: Hands Off Intellectual Property Rights by Keith Stolte, 4 Journal of Intellectual Property Law 25 (1996) How to Avoid Infringing the Copyright of a Computer Program: From the Perspective of a Computer Programmer Turned Attorney/Law Professor by Daivd C. Tunick, 4 Journal of Intellectual Property Law 49 (1996) (for address, see above) Wobbling on the Shoulders of Giants: The Supreme Court's Failure in Lotus v. Borland by Bradley W. Grout, 4 Journal of Intellectual Property Law 77 (1996) (for address, see above) Unjust Enrichment for Patent Infringement: A Novel Idea? by Mohamed Yusuf M. Mohamed, 4 Journal of Intellectual Property Law 123 (1996) (for address, see above) Give Me Liberty and Give Me Death: The Conflict Between Copyright Law and Estates Law by Michael Rosenbloum, 4 Journal of Intellectual Property Law 163 Entertainment Law Reporter, May, 1997 (1996) (for address, see above) The Journal of Art and Entertainment Law, published by DePaul University College of Law, 25 East Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Illinois 60604, has published Volume 6, Number 1, with the following articles: The Legal Protection of Cultural Property in Britain: Past, Present and Future by Simon Halfin, 6 Journal of Art and Entertainment Law 1 (1995) (for address, see above) Assessing the Evolution and Available Actions for Recovery in Cultural Elite or the Sabotage of the Sustenance of National Culture? by Dawn Best, 6 Journal of Art and Entertainment Law 39 (1995) (for address, see above) Stay Tuned, Violence Can't Be Unplugged: The Parental Choice in Television Act of 1995 by Allison L. Wapner, 6 Journal of Art and Entertainment Law 61 (1995) (for address, see above) Drastic Funding Cuts Proposed for the National Endowment for the Arts: The Necessary Limitation of Entertainment for the Cultural Elite or the Sabotage of the Sustenance of National Culture? by Dawn Best, 6 Journal of Art and Entertainment Law 73 (1995) (for address, see above) Entertainment Law Reporter, May, 1997 Gender [In equity?: An Analysis of Title IX Lawsuits in Intercollegiate Athletics by David H. Moon, 6 Journal of Art and Entertainment Law 87 (1995) (for address, see above) Law v. National Collegiate Athletic Association by Terry Schiff, 6 Journal of Art and Entertainment Law 109 (1995) (for address, see above) Crawn v. Campo by Margaret A. Larrea, 6 Journal of Art and Entertainment Law 115 (1995) (for address, see above) NBA v. Williams by Jeffrey Kosc, 6 Journal of Art and Entertainment Law 121 (1995) (for address, see above) Photographer's Rights: Case for Sufficient Originality in Copyright Law by Patricia L. Baade, 30 The John Marshall Law Review 149 (1995) What's Left?: Hate Speech, Pornography, and the Problem for Artistic Expression by Amy Adler, 84 California Law Review 1499 (1996) The Marquette Sports Law Journal has published Volume 7, Number 1 with the following articles: Entertainment Law Reporter, May, 1997 Browns to Baltimore: Franchise Free Agency and the New Economics of the NFL by Sanjay Jose Mullick, 7 Marquette Sports Law Journal 1 (1996) Who Are These "Colts?": The Likelihood of Confusion, Consumer Survey Evidence and Trademark Abandonment in Indianapolis Colts, Inc. v. Metropolitan Baltimore Football Club, Ltd. by Sean Brogan, 7 Marquette Sports Law Journal 39 (1996) Sports Marketing and the Law: Protecting Proprietary Interests in Sports Entertainment Events by Anne M. Wall, 7 Marquette Sports Law Journal 77 (1996) A Three Dimensional Model of Stadium Owner Liability in Spectator Injury Cases by Joshua E. Kastenberg, 7 Marquette Sports Law Journal 187 (1996) The Powers of the Commissioner in Baseball by Jonathan M. Reinsdorf, 7 Marquette Sports Law Journal 211 (1996) College Athletes: What is Fair Compensation? by Eric J. Sobocinski, 7 Marquette Sports Law Journal 257 (1996) Preparing for the Storm: The Representation of a University Accused of Violating NCAA Regulations by Greg Heller, 7 Marquette Sports Law Journal 295 Entertainment Law Reporter, May, 1997 (1996) The Special Relationship Between Student-Athletes and Colleges: An Analysis of a Heightened Duty of Care for the Injuries of Student-Athletes by Andrew Rhim, 7 Marquette Sports Law Journal 329 (1996) Who's In and Who's Out: Racial Discrimination in Sports, a review of In Black and White: Race and Sports in America by Kenneth L. Shropshire, reviewed by Timothy Davis, 28 Pacific Law Journal 341 (1997) Ownership and Content Regulation in Merging and Emerging Media by Daniel L. Brenner, <=2> 45 DePaul Law Review 1009 (1996) Unplanned Obsolescence: The Telecommunications Act of 1996 Meets the Internet by John D. Podesta, <=3> 45 DePaul Law Review 1093 (1996) "Television Without Frontiers": The Continuing Tension Between Liberal Free Trade and European Cultural Integrity by John David Donaldson, 20 Fordham International Law Journal 90 (1996) International Harmonization in Electronic Commerce and Electronic Data Interchange: A Proposed First Step Toward Signing on the Digital Dotted Line Entertainment Law Reporter, May, 1997 by Randy V. Sabett, 46 American University Law Review 511 (1997) Problems Arising Out of the Use of "WWW.Trademark.Com": The Application of Principles of Trademark Law to Internet Domain Name Disputes by Michael B. Landau, 13 Georgia State University Law Review 455 (1997) Right on the Mark: Defining the Nexus Between Trademarks and Internet Domain Names by G. Peter Albert, 15 The John Marshall Journal of Computer & Information Law 277 (1997) Regulating Bomb Recipes on the Internet: Does First Amendment Law Permit the Government to React to the Most Egregious Harms? by Ian A. Kass, 5 Southern California Interdisciplinary Law Journal 83 (1996) The International Impact of Internet Regulation by John T. Delacourt, 38 Harvard International Law Journal 207 (1997) Canada's "Barbie and Ken" Murder Case: The Death Knell of Publication Bans?, 7 Indiana International & Comparative Law Review 193 (1996) Limits on Foreign Ownership of Radio Licenses Under <=4> 47 U.S.C. section 310: An Analysis of the Existing Restrictions and Proposed Changes in the Entertainment Law Reporter, May, 1997 Telecommunications Act of 1996 by Rahul Kapoor, 15 Wisconsin International Law Journal 163 (1996) Harmonizing the United States and European Community Copyright Terms: Needed Adjustment or Money for Nothing? by Jerome N. Epping, Jr., 65 University of Cincinnati Law Review 183 (1996) Something's Weird in the State of California: How the Right of Publicity Wronged Bettie Page by Sean Elliott, <=5> 72 Notre Dame Law Review 593 (1997) Cardozo Studies in Law and Literature has published Volume 8, Number 2 on The State's Relation to Art, Political Speech and Indigenous Peoples with the following articles: Is There Such a Thing As Irresponsible Art by Sallie Tisdale, 8 Cardozo Studies in Law and Literature 253 (1996) How Justice Brennan Freed Novels and Movies During the Sixties by Edward de Grazia, 8 Cardozo Studies in Law and Literature 259 (1996) Nintendo of America, Inc. v. Dragon Pacific International: double Trouble-When Do Awards of Both Copyright and Trademark Damages Constitute Entertainment Law Reporter, May, 1997 Double Recovery? by Sheri A. Byrne, 31 University of San Francisco Law Review 257 (1996) Copyrightability and Scope of Protection for Works of Utilitarian Nature Under Japanese Law by Sinto Teramoto, 28 IIC 51 (1997) (VCH Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, P.O. Box 10 11 61, D-69451 Weinheim, Federal Republic of Germany) Australia- "Music on Hold II" - Music on Telephone Lines - Australasian Performing Right Association Limited v. Telstra Corporation Limited, 28 IIC 136 (1997) (for address, see above) [ELR 18:12:25] LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: May 28, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 33 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Newsweek Newsweek May, 1997 (Spring/Summer, Special Edition) , UNITED STATES EDITION SECTION: SPECIAL ISSUE; Your Child's World; Pg. 89 LENGTH: 1112 words HEADLINE: The Magnetic Tube BYLINE: BY JOHN LELAND HIGHLIGHT: The hand that rocks the cradle may rule the world, but the hand that holds the remote may be more important. It's never too early to start watching what your kids watch. BODY: CARLA MEESKE IS NOT the type to fret over the niceties of child-development theory. In her entire career tending to the psyches of young children, she Newsweek, May, 1997 scoffs, "I read a psych paper maybe twice." Instead, she honed her kid expertise in grittier climes: she was a toy marketer, managing brands like Nerf. In that role, she gained a unique appreciation of our young bundles of joy. "The beauty of young children," she says, "is that they are more receptive than any other young audience to brand consciousness. They become brand-loyal immediately." Meeske, who now teaches marketing at the University of Oregon, says that a smart advertiser can implant its logo on the brains of children "from the moment their eyes are open." All you have to do is link your product with a character kids take to heart; the rest, she says, is like selling "Lion King" sheets to a baby. She didn't need any scientific basis for this claim; the proof was in the profits. While academics fiddle, she says, "we knew what worked." Of all the challenges a developing child faces, few are more problematic than the one we willingly bring into our homes: the television. It can be a godsend, especially when you're feeling one Pooh tape away from a really bad day. But the set also comes with its own sets of stories and mythologies, and its own values. It has ulterior motives. It captivates children sometimes when parents can't. And it teaches them things parents might not. From the moment children are born, researchers say, they learn to emulate what they see; that's how they learn. Television provides a whole universe of behavior to emulate, some desirable, some not. And the immersion begins early. By the age of 2, American kids spend an average of 27 hours per week in front of the set. Newsweek, May, 1997 For any parent, that's a lot of competition. In nearly 40 years of study, researchers have found a correlation between children's TV habits and their levels of creativity, aggressiveness and social skills. As Peggy Charren, who heads the advocacy group Action for Children's Television, says, "The problem with television is that it's all educational." But just what is it teaching your child? As any parent knows, television exerts a mesmerizing draw on children from a very early age. But children of different ages watch differently. For the first year, kids tend to look at a set only sporadically. After that, according to researchers, they'll watch only 10 or 15 percent of the time. At this age, says Dan Anderson, a psychology professor at the University of Massachusetts, they are mostly fascinated by the box. "[A 1-year-old] will look equally at a regular television program or random computer generated shapes and sounds." Even at the age of 2, says Joanne Cantor, a professor of communication arts at the University of Wisconsin, children "think things in the box could still spill out. If there are monsters in the box, or scary animals, young children are not quite sure the monsters can't come out and get them." For children in this age group, television can interfere with other, more necessary learning processes. Because toddlers don't understand that a TV show is a production that happens elsewhere, they are often disoriented by its Newsweek, May, 1997 form: the changes of angle, cuts in time, the visual effects like zooming in and out. Toddlers who watch a lot of TV are also less likely to engage in fantasy play. Jerome Singer, professor of psychology and child study at Yale, contends that TV preempts kids "from doing what they ought to be doing -- learning to create mini-worlds that they can control. Kids who can do this are more cooperative, more likely to become leaders, less likely to be overtly aggressive." By contrast, he says, kids who watch more TV are more likely to show "negative emotions: not only anger, but also more distress or crying." The Academy of Pediatrics advises that parents should limit TV time to one to two hours a day. But parents can also control what their children watch. The good news, says Charren, is that programming for very young children has never been better. The bad news, though, is that you have to pay for much of it, either on cable or video. The commercial networks, for better and for worse, largely leave toddlers alone; the real money is in older kids. This affords parents a great opportunity. According to Anderson, "the general lesson for preschool years is that what's important is not so much that they watch, or how much time they watch, but what they watch." In their three-year, 10-part study of Barney, Singer and his wife, Judith, also at Yale, found that the show encouraged creative play. After watching an episode involving construction, for example, a group of 2- and 3-year-olds did their own earth-moving games. The group that Newsweek, May, 1997 watched the Power Rangers, by contrast, "literally fought." According to Anderson, the positive influence continues into later childhood. "Kids who watched programs like 'Sesame Street' take more art classes in high school, and are more likely to participate in extracurricular activities." Though psychologists like the Singers originally criticized "Sesame Street" for being too fast-paced, the show has since slowed down, and gets high marks all around. Other programs touted by Charren include "Blue's Clues" and "Gullah Gullah Island" from Nickelodeon, "We All Sing Together" from the Children's Television Workshop and the series of Beatrix Potter tapes from Family Home Entertainment. And, of course, good old Mr. Rogers. What troubles many parents, though, is the less controllable factors, especially on network TV: commercials or, worse, teasers for other programs, which might concentrate an hour's worth of mayhem into one 30-second spot. Kids 3 and under, says Cantor, "don't understand why the ads are there. They'll say, 'He told me to go buy it, so we should go buy it'." But both psychologists and marketers agree that kids don't attach status to brand names until they are old enough to feel peer pressure, usually around the first grade. Before that, they'll like a shirt for the picture of Barney, not for the designer logo. Mostly, it is parents who feel the craven pull of Baby Guess? Which only goes to show that you can't cut out all negative influences, even if you turn off the tube. But that still might be a good start. Newsweek, May, 1997 Television Shows to Grow On The kind of TV that kids see can be as important as how much they watch. The best shows can encourage lifelong creativity. Who Are the Good Guys? Like it or not, all television is educational. Cartoons full of violence, say some experts, teach kids to fight among themselves. GRAPHIC: Picture 1, Elmo and Big Bird tickle -- and teach -- on 'Sesame Street', JOHN E. BARRETT -- CTW; Picture 2, Dancing Barney, EVERETT COLLECTION; Picture 3, A scene from 'Gullah Gullah Island'; Picture 4, The news from 'Blue's Clues'; Pictures 3 and 4 by NICKELODEON; Picture 5, Ninja Turtles: The not-so-fab foursome? EVERETT COLLECTION; Pictures 6 and 7, The Power Rangers and the X-Men prepare for action, PHOTOFEST, RAFAEL FUCHS LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: May 21, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 34 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Information Access Company, a Thomson Corporation Company IAC (SM) PROMT (R) Copyright 1997 Smith Communications. Promo May, 1997 SECTION: Pg. P38; ISSN: 1047-1707 IAC-ACC-NO: 06903719 LENGTH: 620 words HEADLINE: Videos Drive Sales ... Slowly BYLINE: Shannon, Daniel THIS IS THE FULL TEXT BODY: Marketers are finding the medium tricky and expensive. Promo May, 1997 Daniel Shannon Contributing Writer When McDonald's propelled video premiums to marketing prominence with the self-liquidating promotion to sell Dances With Wolves for $ 4.95 in a holiday program, the power of the video premium business was apparent: Consumers would gladly pay low prices for hot titles via non-traditional video outlets. In fact, during the course of the promotion, the fast-food chain became the country's largest video outlet with the distribution of millions of copies of the hit movie. But the popularity of video premiums has slowed considerably over the past several years, according to many marketers, due to the relatively high $ 3- to $ 4-per-unit range for videos when purchased in quantities of 100,000 or more and the competition from hotter technology, particularly the Internet and CD-ROMs. Another reason for thedecline in interest the use of videos as premiums is the still-dropping cost of sell-through videos. According to a recent report from Carmel Valley, CA-based Adams Media Research (AMR), there has been a shift over the last five years as suppliers released more theatrical titles directly to the sell-through market at wholesale prices under $ 15, rather than to the Promo May, 1997 rental market with wholesale prices over $ 60. 'Overall supplier revenues from sell-through surpassed those from the rental market for the first time way back in 1989,' noted Adams, 'which suppresses the perceived value of the product among consumers . 'We suspect that we may be nearing the limit to the number of direct-to-sell-through titles the market can give focus to in a given year,' Adams said. 'But as for a limit to consumer demand, we still don't see a sign of it.' Getting Your Message Across Still, the demand of both theatrical and non-theatrical videos among consumers justifies the expense for some promotion campaigns, though often with a PSA- or information-spin. For example: Children's Television Workshop (CTW) - the producer of Sesame Street - will work exclusively with Ford over the next three years to spread via videos an automotive safety message.Ford and CTW will concentrate on safe seating practices and wearing safety belts for the automotive campaign. Promo May, 1997 'Ford believes it has a major responsibility to educate children and parents on automotive safety,' according to Ross Roberts, Ford Motor Company vice president and general manager, Ford Division. 'We believe an excellent way to let our customers know that Ford cares about them is to enlist Sesame Street as our partner. Very few organizations can deliver an effective safe riding and driving message that is so appealing in the way Sesame Street can. In addition to creating a home video, Ford and CTW will design and produce a 16-page magazine on automotive safety which will reach 4 million homes. Two 30-second PSAs will air on television and a safety content area will be created for the CTW Web site. Despite the video-premium slowdown - even Sports Illustrated has stopped usingvideos of sports bloopers to jack up its circulation - the video industry continues to boom. The U.S. videocassette business broke $ 8 billion. In 1996, up 18 percent in the year before and up nearly 100 percent over the past five years. 'The sell-through market accounts for most of the growth,' according to the AMR report. 'The supplier take from tapes sold through to consumers grew by more than $ 1 billion in 1996, and studio sell-through revenues have more than doubled since 1992 to $ 5.7 billion. But the venerable rental market continues Promo May, 1997 to hold its own with supplier revenues from rental-priced tapes growing by two percent last year to $ 2.5 billion. LANGUAGE: ENGLISH IAC-CREATE-DATE: June 4, 1997 LOAD-DATE: June 05, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 35 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Business Wire, Inc. Business Wire April 30, 1997, Wednesday DISTRIBUTION: Business/Entertainment Editors LENGTH: 906 words HEADLINE: Cloud 9 Interactive creates media division DATELINE: MARINA DEL REY, Calif. BODY: April 30, 1997-- Children's studio announces venture with Jeff Segal, former president and founder of MCA/Universal Family Entertainment and Universal Cartoon Studios Business Wire, April 30, 1997 Cloud 9 Interactive, a leading producer of children's entertainment, Wednesday announced a venture with Jeff Segal, former president and founder of MCA/Universal Family Entertainment and Universal Cartoon Studios, to create Cloud 9's media division. The new division will develop properties for television, direct-to-video and theatrical productions. According to Debra Streicker-Fine, president and chief executive officer of Cloud 9 Interactive, the new unit will focus on an array of properties, some of which will be original Cloud 9 titles, but will also include high-profile properties in co-venture relationships or licensed in from third parties. "We are extremely excited to have Jeff on our team," said Streicker-Fine. "His talents and impressive background make him a perfect fit to help us meet our strategic goals with our media division." Cloud 9's media division will be organized and managed by Segal, along with Universal alumnus Michael Torres and Lorna Bold. "We believe that Cloud 9 is well-positioned to make a major move into television and video," said Segal. "The company will be aggressive in the development of new franchise properties in animation and mixed media formats. I'm very impressed with the company's Business Wire, April 30, 1997 vision and technical capabilities." The new unit will be targeting all television venues and dayparts, including networks, cable and first-run syndication. The company will be active in the direct-to-video market and will pursue strategic partnerships domestically, with special attention to the international marketplace. "More and more it is becoming a global market," observed Segal. "And Cloud 9 is committed to creating a niche for itself on an international scale." At Universal, Segal's six-year-old division developed, sold, produced and delivered nearly 20 animated, mixed media and live action television series, including "Back to the Future," "An American Tail," "Casper," "ExoSquad," "Beethoven" and "Earthworm Jim." He also helped launch Universal's multimillion dollar direct-to-video film business with sequels to Steven Spielberg's "Land Before Time." Joining Segal will be Development and Production Executive Torres, who previously worked with Segal on assorted Universal projects, including "ExoSquad," "Earthworm Jim" and, more recently, "Savage Dragon" on USA Network and "VorTech" in first-run syndication. Business Wire, April 30, 1997 "With a strong background in the worlds of interactive, comic books and role playing, Michael will continue to be a major asset for our company," said Segal. Bold had been with Segal at Universal for five years and will coordinate a range of activities, including promotion and marketing, project acquisitions, talent relations and merchandising. "Lorna's network of relationships and knowledge of the business will help us get off to a fast start," observed Segal. "The market is in the process of re-inventing itself," he said. "We intend that Cloud 9 will become a major player in the kids and family entertainment business, working at the forefront of new and emerging technologies and forms of exhibition as we enter the 21st century." Cloud 9 media division/projects in development Cloud 9 Interactive plans to develop and produce a children's television series based on the popular Graveyard School novels. Cloud 9 acquired all rights to the best-selling book property in March 1995 with plans to create edgy, yet humorous broadcast versions of the tales. To date, more than 3 million Graveyard School books have been sold. Each Graveyard School episode will feature an adventurous story filled with Business Wire, April 30, 1997 incredible twists and turns as five ordinary junior-high kids battle unnatural forces in their school and town. Cloud 9 intends to additionally pursue developing and licensing agreements for its original animated characters "Rufus the Dog," "Katie the Chameleon" and "Addie the Kangaroo" from its popular Learning Adventure Series CD-ROMs. The lovable animals, illustrated in Saturday-morning cartoon style, are ideal vehicles for television and video programming for children. Other Cloud 9 projects currently underway include "Driftwood Journals," a coming-of-age drama for teenagers, and "Troll Trouble," based on the "Tricky Troll" characters from ICM writers Amy Spies and Denny Luria, which Cloud 9 acquired the rights to in May 1996. Based in Marina Del Rey, Cloud 9 Interactive is a dynamic children's entertainment studio that publishes, distributes, develops and licenses high-quality children's characters and family content for use in all entertainment media. Formed and staffed by industry-leading experts in the fields of multimedia, marketing, publishing, entertainment and education, the company is backed by leading venture capital firms. For more information on Cloud 9 Interactive Business Wire, April 30, 1997 and its products, visit http://www.cloud9int.com . CONTACT: Faiola Davis Public Relations Norma Velvikis/Sara Faiola, 213/933-4959 FDPR1@aol.com LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: May 1, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 36 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 PR Newswire Association, Inc. PR Newswire April 29, 1997, Tuesday SECTION: Financial News DISTRIBUTION: TO BUSINESS EDITOR LENGTH: 1154 words HEADLINE: Belo Announces Broadcast Division Promotions DATELINE: DALLAS, April 29 BODY: Belo (NYSE: BLC) announced several promotions today in its Broadcast Division. Glenn C. Wright has been named senior vice president/Television Group; Ilene L. Engel has been appointed director of news/Television Group; and J. William Mosley has been named controller/Television Group. PR Newswire, April 29, 1997 Glenn Wright currently serves as vice president/general manager of KIRO-TV in Seattle-Tacoma, Washington. In making the announcement, James M. Moroney, president of Belo's Television Group, said, "Glenn has distinguished himself in the job he has done for Belo at KIRO. His tenure as a general manager and his experience as a broadcaster make him ideally suited to help us run our Television Group." In his new position, Wright will have responsibility for a number of Belo's television stations. Wright assumed his current position following Belo's purchase of KIRO in 1995. From 1981 until 1995, Wright served as KIRO's executive vice president with responsibility for the television station, a production house and a direct mail company. From 1980 until 1981, he held the position of vice president/station manager, and served as national sales manager from July 1977 until 1981. Wright began his career at KIRO in 1971 as sales development director and was promoted to account executive in 1972, marketing unit manager in 1975 and assistant sales manager in early 1977. As a former board representative for the National Association of Broadcasters, Wright is a past chairman of the Children's Television Committee. He has also served on the CBS Affiliates Advisory PR Newswire, April 29, 1997 Board and currently serves on the UPN Board of Governors. A graduate of the University of Puget Sound, Wright holds a bachelor's degree in business with a minor in economics. Ilene Engel, in her new role, will work for Marty Haag, senior vice president/news of Belo's Broadcast Division, and serve as advisor and liaison to the news departments at a number of Belo's television stations. In that capacity, Engel will help maintain a consistent application of Belo's news philosophy across the Television Group and coordinate the coverage of major news projects among the stations. "Ilene Engel is one of the bright, young talents in broadcast journalism today. She is fully grounded in the standards of excellent journalism. What she has done with KIRO's news department is remarkable," said Haag. Since June 1995, Engel has served as news director at KIRO, which produces eight hours of local news daily, more than any other television station in the United States. From the fall of 1992 until June 1995, Engel served as executive consultant to news and programming teams at WFAA-TV (ABC) in Dallas- Fort Worth; WVEC-TV (ABC) in Hampton-Norfolk, Virginia; KOTV (CBS) in PR Newswire, April 29, 1997 Tulsa, Oklahoma and KIRO. From June 1988 until March 1989, she served as producer of "USA Today the Television Show" in Washington, D.C. In June 1989, Engel returned to WFAA as assistant news director. Engel joined Belo in 1980 as a graphics producer for the evening news at WFAA and produced a number of newscasts between 1981 and 1986, when she was promoted to executive producer. Engel graduated cum laude from The University of Texas at Austin and holds a bachelor's degree in radio/television/film. She has received several awards recognizing her contributions to broadcast journalism including a 1992 duPont- Columbia Award for coverage of the Persian Gulf War. Bill Mosley currently serves as controller at KIRO. In his new position, Mosley will report to Lee Salzberger, senior vice president/administration of Belo's Broadcast Division, and will have financial responsibility for Belo's television and cable entities. In making the announcement, Salzberger said, "Bill has demonstrated extraordinary management capabilities at KIRO and WWL-TV (CBS) in New Orleans. His commitment to the Company and his experience at two of Belo's television stations make him the ideal person for controller of the Television Group." PR Newswire, April 29, 1997 Mosley has served as controller at KIRO since 1995. Prior to joining KIRO, he served as controller at WWL from 1994 until 1995, and was director of finance from 1990 until 1994. From 1986 until 1990, Mosley served as controller at William F. Surgi Equipment Corporation in Harahan, Louisiana. A certified public accountant, Mosley began his career in 1980 at Deloitte Haskins & Sells in New Orleans, where he was promoted to manager in 1986. A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Mosley holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration and a master's degree in accounting. A. H. Belo Corporation is a leading television broadcasting and newspaper publishing company that owns and operates 16 network-affiliated television stations; six daily newspapers; three local or regional cable news channels; and Belo Productions, Inc.. Belo also manages four television stations through local marketing agreements, is the managing general partner of the Television Food Network and holds a controlling interest in America's Health Network. Three of Belo's stations are in the top 12 U.S. television markets, seven in the top 30 and eleven in the top 50 markets. The Company's television group reaches 13.5 percent of all U.S. television households. PR Newswire, April 29, 1997 Belo's Broadcast Division includes four ABC affiliates (WFAA-TV in Dallas- Fort Worth; KXTV in Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto, California; WVEC-TV in Hampton-Norfolk, Virginia; and WHAS-TV in Louisville, Kentucky); five CBS affiliates (KHOU-TV in Houston, Texas; KMOV-TV* in St. Louis, Missouri; WWL-TV in New Orleans, Louisiana; KOTV in Tulsa, Oklahoma; and KREM-TV in Spokane, Washington); five NBC affiliates (KING-TV in Seattle-Tacoma, Washington; KGW- TV in Portland, Oregon; WCNC-TV in Charlotte, North Carolina; KHNL-TV in Honolulu, Hawaii; and KTVB-TV in Boise, Idaho); and two FOX affiliates (KASA- TV in Albuquerque-Santa Fe, New Mexico and KMSB-TV in Tucson, Arizona). Belo's principal newspapers are The Dallas Morning News (http://www.dallasnews.com) and the Providence Journal-Bulletin (http://www.projo.com). The Dallas Morning News is the operating company upon which Belo was built and has the country's eighth largest Sunday circulation (785,934) and ninth largest daily circulation (513,099). Belo's other daily newspapers are the Owensboro (KY) Messenger-Inquirer; the Bryan- College Station (TX) Eagle; the Arlington (TX) Morning News and The Gleaner in Henderson, Kentucky. The success of Belo's media franchises depends upon providing local news, information and community service of the highest caliber. These PR Newswire, April 29, 1997 principles have attracted and built relationships with viewers, readers and advertisers and have guided the Company's success for 155 years. * Pending conditions of sale and other approvals SOURCE A. H. Belo Corporation CONTACT: James Moroney of A. H. Belo Corporation, 214-977-6685 LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: April 30, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 37 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Crain Communications Inc. Crain's New York Business April 28, 1997 SECTION: People; Pg. 12 LENGTH: 1347 words HEADLINE: PROFILES, EXECUTIVE MOVES BYLINE: Carmen Feliciano BODY: ADVERTISING Donaudy Munch Marketing Communications: Suzanne Dorgan, 29, was named art director for the advertising and marketing firm, based in Hauppauge, L.I. She was formerly a senior designer at Computer Associates International Inc. Wells Rich Greene BDDP: Bill Perkins, 42, joined as executive vice president of business development. He was formerly a consultant with Sterling Rice Crain's New York Business, April 28, 1997 Group. FINANCE Dillon Read & Co.: Byron A. Dunn, 39, joined as a senior vice president in the equities research department and will be based in the New York and Houston offices. He was formerly a senior vice president and oil industry analyst at Jefferies & Co. PaineWebber Inc.: Reginald J. Hollinger, 33, joined as a managing director in the investment banking division. He was formerly a principal in the corporate finance department at Morgan Stanley. HEALTH CARE Health Management Systems Inc.: Michael T. McGuire, 48, was appointed to the newly created position of vice president of sales management. He was formerly president and chief executive of National Healthtech Corp. LAW Crain's New York Business, April 28, 1997 Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft: Kenneth P. Coleman, 40, joined as a bankruptcy partner. He was formerly a partner at Chadbourne & Parke. Hughes Hubbard & Reed: Nathan I. Nahm, 57, was named partner. He was formerly of counsel at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher. MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT Children's Television Workshop: Jodi Nussbaum, 37, was promoted to vice president of production. She was formerly assistant vice president of production. CMP Media Inc.: Gretchen Teichgraeber, 43, was named general manager of publishing for the Manhasset, L.I.-based firm. She was formerly director of marketing, planning and product management for The New York Times. Conde Nast Traveler magazine: Daniel Lagani, 33, was appointed associate publisher. He was formerly associate publisher of Bon Appetit magazine. Hybrid Recordings: Jesse Barnett, 27, was named national director of promotion. He was formerly national album promotion coordinator for A&M Records. Crain's New York Business, April 28, 1997 Kalun Lee, 26, was named national director of promotion. He was formerly head of the alternative radio department at Concrete Marketing. Individual Investor magazine: Andrew Spinelli, 52, was appointed to the newly created position of advertising manager. He was formerly advertising director for Sports Illustrated for Kids. Jerry Kravat Entertainment: Robert Crawford, 42, was named vice president of sales for the newly formed corporate division. He was formerly a vice president of Silverman Media& Marketing Group. The New Yorker magazine: David M. May, 53, joined as a vice president and managing director. He was formerly an associate publisher at Town & Country. Showtime Networks Inc.: Ray Gutierrez, 42, was promoted to senior vice president of human resources and administration. He was formerly vice president of human resources. Jeff Harold, 32, was promoted to director, financial controls. He was formerly senior financial account manager for the network's Southeast region. Crain's New York Business, April 28, 1997 Kent L. Sevener joined as counselentertainment. He was formerly an associate at Levine Thall Plotkin & Menin. Sony Wonder and SMV: Sandie Minasian, 37, was appointed to the newly created position of senior director of sales for the two divisions of Sony Music. She was formerly director of national album sales/artist development at Epic Records Group. TV Guide magazine: Rob Margolis, 41, was promoted to vice president of publishing development. He was formerly Western advertising director. USA Networks: Lisa Preston, 32, was named director of advertising for the Sci-Fi Channel. She was formerly an account supervisor at Angotti Thomas Hedge Inc. Victoria magazine: Nannette Norbitz Kelly, 34, joined as marketing director of the Hearst Magazines title. She was formerly marketing director at Family Handyman. REAL ESTATE Crain's New York Business, April 28, 1997 Kalun Lee, 26, was named national director of promotion. He was formerly head of the alternative radio department at Concrete Marketing. Individual Investor magazine: Andrew Spinelli, 52, was appointed to the newly created position of advertising manager. He was formerly advertising director for Sports Illustrated for Kids. Jerry Kravat Entertainment: Robert Crawford, 42, was named vice president of sales for the newly formed corporate division. He was formerly a vice president of Silverman Media& Marketing Group. The New Yorker magazine: David M. May, 53, joined as a vice president and managing director. He was formerly an associate publisher at Town & Country. Showtime Networks Inc.: Ray Gutierrez, 42, was promoted to senior vice president of human resources and administration. He was formerly vice president of human resources. Jeff Harold, 32, was promoted to director, financial controls. He was formerly senior financial account manager for the network's Southeast region. Crain's New York Business, April 28, 1997 Kent L. Sevener joined as counselentertainment. He was formerly an associate at Levine Thall Plotkin & Menin. Sony Wonder and SMV: Sandie Minasian, 37, was appointed to the newly created position of senior director of sales for the two divisions of Sony Music. She was formerly director of national album sales/artist development at Epic Records Group. TV Guide magazine: Rob Margolis, 41, was promoted to vice president of publishing development. He was formerly Western advertising director. USA Networks: Lisa Preston, 32, was named director of advertising for the Sci-Fi Channel. She was formerly an account supervisor at Angotti Thomas Hedge Inc. Victoria magazine: Nannette Norbitz Kelly, 34, joined as marketing director of the Hearst Magazines title. She was formerly marketing director at Family Handyman. REAL ESTATE Crain's New York Business, April 28, 1997 Cushman & Wakefield Inc.: O.B. ''Barney'' Upton III, 56, was named to the executive committee. He continues as executive managing director of corporate services. Hartz Mountain Industries: Emanuel Stern, 34, was named president and chief operating officer of the real estate division for the Secaucus, N.J.-based company. He was formerly executive vice president. Julien J. Studley Inc.: Eve B. Rose, 41, was appointed director of marketing. She was formerly vice president of marketing communications for the investment consulting services division at Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. TrizecHahn Office Properties: Steven F. Grant, 33, joined as director of leasing in the New York regional office. He was formerly vice president and area manager at LaSalle Partners. Carol A. Meyer, 43, joined as general counsel in the New York regional office. She was formerly counsel at Swig Weiler & Arnow Management Co. SERVICES Crain's New York Business, April 28, 1997 Hotel Lexington: Marie Sclafani, 34, was named director of sales and marketing. She was formerly assistant director of sales. International Telecommunications Services: Richard H. Blaustein, 45, was appointed vice president and general manager of North American operations. He was formerly managing vice president in the Gartner Group's consulting division. JWB Associates Inc.: Laszlo J. Sinka, Jr. 33, was appointed president of the project management and consulting services firm. He was formerly director of operations. Joseph W. Barbieri Jr., 51, was named chief executive. He was formerly president. Manhattan East Suite Hotels: Robert C. Tully, 42, was named director of sales and marketing. He was formerly general manager of the Southgate Tower Suite Hotel. Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers: David M. Cacoilo, 40, was named partner. He was formerly a senior associate. Crain's New York Business, April 28, 1997 Redeye Grill: Thomas Monetti, 50, was appointed managing director for the restaurant, owned by Cafe Concepts. He was formerly managing director at Tavern on the Green. GRAPHIC: LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: May 02, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 38 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Information Access Company, a Thomson Corporation Company; ASAP Copyright 1997 Adweek L.P. MEDIAWEEK April 28, 1997 SECTION: No. 17, Vol. 7; Pg. 54; ISSN: 1055-176X IAC-ACC-NO: 19357950 LENGTH: 125 words HEADLINE: Fox unties the knot; television network cancels "Married ... with Children" after 10 years; Brief Article BODY: The show that helped put Fox on the map in the public consciousness--and the longest-running sitcom currently on TV--has been cancelled. After 10 years, Married... With Children has been pulled from the Fox schedule because of sagging ratings. The show had been bounced around the schedule during the past MEDIAWEEK April 28, 1997 few seasons, contributing to its declining numbers. The producers had wanted to do an 11th season, and briefly shopped the show to UPN and the WB, without success. License fees were said to be too steep for the small nets. Married, starring Ed O'Neill, Katey Sagal, Christina Applegate and David Faustino, was created as an offbeat alternative to traditional family sitcoms. The show will have its hour-long series finale on May 5. GRAPHIC: Illustration; Photograph LANGUAGE: ENGLISH IAC-CREATE-DATE: June 18, 1997 LOAD-DATE: June 19, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 39 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 The Washington Post The Washington Post April 25, 1997, Friday, Final Edition SECTION: STYLE; Pg. G05; STYLE PLUS LENGTH: 1073 words HEADLINE: Doing Well, Without TV BYLINE: Victoria Lord, Special to The Washington Post BODY: Every April I'm asked whether my family will be participating in National TV-Turnoff Week -- a week in which families agree to turn off the tube. Frankly, I don't know whether to answer yes or no. We belong to the small number of American families that don't qualify to participate in TV-Turnoff Week, which began yesterday, for one simple reason: We don't own a television. My two sons, Nicholas, 4, and Caleb, 2, have never seen "Barney & Friends," "Sesame Street" or "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers." Demographic predictions to the contrary, my husband and I never sit down for an episode of "Seinfeld," "Friends" or "ER." The Washington Post, April 25, 1997 When I think about TV -- which, ironically, happens primarily during TV-Turnoff Week -- I take comfort in the knowledge that the marketing gurus of Madison Avenue can't even categorize us, let alone reach us via the tube. Unlike the 98 percent of American households with television sets, the 2 percent of TV-free households conform to no particular pattern. It cuts across every cultural division, including not only such obvious candidates as Amish and Mennonite families, but also conservatives, self-conscious New Age parents, home-schoolers and liberals. So how did my own family decide to become TV-free? Unlike the friend who took decisive steps -- he threw his black-and-white set out a third-story window one night -- we made our decision gradually. To understand how we got there, you have to know something about my childhood. When I was 12, the woman upstairs died and left her ancient black-and-white television to me and my siblings. I think she felt sorry for us -- middle-class kids without a single set in our home. Our giddiness over this legacy was compounded by the sense that we had somehow put one over on our parents. What they read about TV in reviews and articles didn't impress them and they had actively decided not to expose us to it. (We thought they were just old-fashioned.) The Washington Post, April 25, 1997 But the terrible truth was this: By the time we received our "inheritance," we already were ruined for television. After years of reading, we found TV's story lines thin and unexciting. There was none of the richness and complexity of plot and character we took for granted in our favorite books. Like so many of the products it advertised, TV didn't quite fulfill its promise. We weren't happier, smarter, better-looking or more popular. We weren't even more entertained. We were slightly more in-the-know about television. That's all. We weren't exactly disappointed -- after all, we continued to watch until we left home for college. But in college, and later, we reverted to a TV-less state without any pain. By the time I was pregnant with our first child, my husband, Mark, and I had acquired a third-hand black-and-white that got several channels, sometimes all at once. The more I watched, the more determined I became to preserve my own children from television. Mark kept shrugging off the whole question. He grew up in a household where a large TV holds pride of place in the living room, but had reached the point where he could take it or leave it. The whole thing struck him as a non-issue. Once Nicholas was born, I found myself scrutinizing every show I watched. That was when I realized that although I routinely picked "family" shows, I The Washington Post, April 25, 1997 wound up watching endless advertisements for movies and late-night programs of a very different sort. The ads all seemed to consist of high-speed chase sequences punctuated by rapid gunfire. Even a kid rigidly confined to hand-picked shows in prime time would be exposed to plenty of violence through these ads. Many people assured me that I could avoid all this by sticking to PBS but I found myself questioning those shows, too. "Sesame Street" and "Barney & Friends" are really just socially palatable infomercials for Tickle Me Elmo and purple dinosaur dolls. (Not to mention the video spinoffs.) Initially we dealt with the question by having the TV on only after our infant was asleep. Slowly, under the new burdens of parenting, I realized that TV eroded too much of my precious time. I cut back to two or three shows a week, promptly turning it off after the allotted half-hour. Circumstances conspired to reduce this time further. Our tiny Brooklyn two-bedroom was filled to the brim with toys and books. The only safe place for our hand-me-down television was unplugged and placed slightly behind the sofa. Getting it out, plugged in and tuned for just an hour of watching became burdensome. Meanwhile, my husband was working the usual New York litigator's hours -- he was too tired at home to do any TV watching. Besides, who wanted to veg out in front of the box when he could be rolling a ball to a giggling The Washington Post, April 25, 1997 10-month-old? Slowly the TV set dropped out of our lives. Four years and another kid later we don't regret it in the least. We decide which toys and foods to purchase; our children have no overhyped notions of what they need or are entitled to. Nobody gets into fights over what to watch. The boys attend ball games with their dad instead of watching them on TV. They read and are read to at all hours. Perhaps most importantly, my husband and I find we have tons of time to give them and they are there to receive it because we, not the networks, schedule our own lives. Many people ask me how I can possibly manage two very active little boys without a TV. I find this question puzzling. For thousands of years, parents reared children without TV. It's only in the last 40 years that Americans have come to view this as "impossible." Not only is it possible, it is a joy. True, I don't have the luxury of an electronic babysitter when I need to accomplish something -- take a shower, make dinner -- that can be difficult with kids underfoot. The Washington Post, April 25, 1997 True also, I find myself explaining sometimes that Mommy needs to make a telephone call so everybody needs to play a quiet game. And true, too, my children occasionally act up during these calls. But friends with TVs, VCRs and an endless supply of videos assure me their kids can also scream at inopportune moments. Being TV-free doesn't make my kids perfect, nor does it make us perfect parents. It just makes us free. Free to go to museums, or not. To hold barbecues in prime time or not. To plant a garden or not. We spend our lives doing things, not watching them. So will we be participating in TV-Turnoff Week? Well, yes and no. GRAPHIC: Illustration, bethann thornburgh for The Washington Post LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: April 25, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 40 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Times Mirror Company Los Angeles Times April 22, 1997, Tuesday, Home Edition SECTION: Business; Part D; Page 6; Financial Desk LENGTH: 1030 words HEADLINE: WALL STREET, CALIFORNIA; LOOKING FOR TROUBLE / SUSAN ANTILLA; NOT QUITE KIDS' STUFF; CHILDREN'S TV IS HOT NEW AREA OF 'INVESTMENT' BYLINE: SUSAN ANTILLA, Susan Antilla writes for Bloomberg News BODY: You know about Mr. Rogers, Big Bird and Barney, the saccharine-as-they-come purple dinosaur that raked in millions. Well, now, kiddies, there may also be a "fun-loving, magical farmer" named Mr. Buckethead coming to a television screen near you. Los Angeles Times, April 22, 1997 Mr. B, called Buckethead because he goes around wearing a bucket as a hat, is the host of what's been billed as the surest road to investment profits since Barney took over entire sections of F.A.O. Schwarz. And that means he and his show, "Barnyard Place," are a very hot investment opportunity for Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa. At least, this is what was pitched according to a two-page sales script written for cold callers who operated briefly out of a boiler room in Scottsdale, Ariz. "Barnyard Place" may indeed be a viable show. But Arizona regulators said April 6 that the telemarketers should cease efforts to sell interests in the show because the investments are unregistered and because the people doing the pitching were not registered brokers and were fudging the facts. No one connected with the sales operation could be reached for comment. Operations like the one in Scottsdale, which play off a perceived need for more children's television, have become a new avenue for swindles, according to regulators. "We're aware of it being a problem," says G. William McDonald, assistant commissioner in the enforcement division at the California Securities Los Angeles Times, April 22, 1997 Commission. "And we're looking at a company but haven't gone public with the case yet." "We're working on several cases with similar products--programs aimed at children," adds Philip A. Feigin, securities commissioner for the Colorado Division of Securities. It doesn't hurt the sales efforts that the public has heard about small entertainment production companies coming up with big hits lately, he adds. "With 'Shine' and other examples of independents making important movies for very little money, these guys are pitching that 'You can get in on the ground floor, too.' " And the public is well aware of profits from licensing characters for toys and other products. The Federal Communications Commission in 1996 inadvertently gave scamsters a new theme. The agency now requires that TV stations air at least three hours of educational programming for kids each week. According to a "Barnyard" video to be distributed to those expressing interest in investing, "Barnyard Place" was conceived "to meet the demand" for more good kids' shows. Investors also get a copy of a "Farm Pals" coloring book. "Get ready! We're going to be on television," reads the caption beneath an ebullient Mr. Los Angeles Times, April 22, 1997 Buckethead on one page. Arizona regulators provided a copy of the sales script after receiving a Freedom of Information Act request from Bloomberg News. It begins with an explanation that the caller--identified as an "associate producer," not a salesperson--worked for the Frank Capra family. "I'm sure you've heard of some of the mega films that the Capra family has been involved in," the script reads, citing such classics as "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." * Indeed, Frank Capra Jr., son of the renowned movie figure, is president and an initial member/manager of the limited liability company called Barnyard Place Partners, the Burbank company formed for the purpose of raising money to produce "Barnyard Place." Regulators aren't questioning the pedigree of Capra Jr., though. They're wondering about the sales pitch being used by Barnyard and are charging that the sales team was a group of unregistered brokers selling unregistered securities. Los Angeles Times, April 22, 1997 A classified ad appearing in the Arizona Republic in late February sought "PRO-CLOSERS" who would be like to "Earn big $ $ " working with a "1st class team" in Scottsdale. That, regulators said, turned out to be the Barnyard peddlers employed by an unregistered brokerage firm called Scottsdale Financial. Sharon Fox, an assistant director of Arizona's enforcement division, says salespeople in Arizona were directed to tell potential investors that they were calling from Burbank, "right next to NBC." To support the ruse, the callers were also instructed to tell the person on the other end of the line that the weather in Burbank was overcast, "because Burbank is always overcast and you won't go wrong," according to the legal complaint. Efforts by Bloomberg News to reach the company and its executives were unsuccessful. No one answered the telephones at Scottsdale Financial. Capra did not respond to messages left for him in Burbank. Chris Paulick, a "producer" at Silver Vision Entertainment, did not return a telephone call. There was no published telephone number for Jack Walton Combs Jr., president of Scottsdale Financial, who was a stockbroker with Harris Securities Inc. until last July, according to his records with state securities regulators. Fox says that so far as she knows, Scottsdale Financial was not in business long enough to collect any money from the investors it tried to woo. Los Angeles Times, April 22, 1997 "Scottsdale Financial was only organized a month ago," she said. Fox says her unit regularly scouts newspaper ads for outfits recruiting cold callers. "We have an investigative staff here that goes out and gets hired," she says. She wouldn't say whether that's how Arizona wound up shutting down Scottsdale Financial, but you can draw your own conclusions about how the investigators got the inside poop on the marketing of Mr. Buckethead. Scottsdale Financial may have been shut down, but be braced to hear your phone ring with solicitors from similar operations making pitches, securities cops warn. "Independent programming is hot stuff right now, and it takes very little money to get on local access channels, so they can say, 'There's our product,' " Feigin says. And with the public having heard all the fuss about improving programming for children, there's a strong subliminal message to assist with the pitch, Feigin adds. "These guys can say anything they want because there's no real market" for interests in television pilots, he says. "If you're not bound by the facts, Los Angeles Times, April 22, 1997 you can make up one hell of a product." LANGUAGE: English LOAD-DATE: April 22, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 41 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Times Mirror Company Los Angeles Times April 22, 1997, Tuesday, Home Edition SECTION: Business; Part D; Page 1; Financial Desk LENGTH: 2265 words HEADLINE: THE BIZ / CLAUDIA ELLER; COMPANY TOWN; Earning CAAchet BYLINE: CLAUDIA ELLER BODY: When Richard Lovett took over the top job at Creative Artists Agency in 1995, the widespread reaction was "he's no Ovitz." As it turns out, that's been the good news for Hollywood. Los Angeles Times, April 22, 1997 Today, the agency that dominated the industry for more than a decade under the visionary but imperious rule of Michael Ovitz is in the hands of a man more comfortable working a room than orchestrating a corporate mega-merger. At this year's Oscar ceremonies, Lovett, 36, was the last one to take his seat before the lights went down at the Shrine Auditorium. With his trademark ever-ready smile, the skillful agent was busy playing the role he knows best: glad-handing movie star clients, schmoozing studio heads and hobnobbing with colleagues as if there's nothing on Earth he'd rather be doing. It's been 18 months since Lovett--who represents some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Tom Hanks, Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese--took on a much-less-familiar role as the newly installed president of CAA. Lovett, who's worked at CAA his entire 14-year career, remains the quintessential Hollywood agent, flying to the sets of his star clients' movies to run interference, even as he's learned to manage an agency with more than 1,000 clients and a staff of about 120 agents. Many in Hollywood were initially skeptical of the boyish-looking Lovett, whose relentless cheeriness and sometimes glib, gee-whiz manner can make him Los Angeles Times, April 22, 1997 appear slick and superficial. Even some at CAA wondered how he could ever fill the power vacuum left by Ovitz, known for his breadth of experience and relationships in entertainment and Wall Street's upper echelons. But Lovett--who, unlike Ovitz, has no public profile outside Hollywood--has done much to win the respect of his peers and industry naysayers. Lovett, taking charge of an agency shaken to its core by the departure of its founders, has brought about fundamental changes at CAA. "He's risen to the occasion," says a top entertainment business executive who's had a lot of dealings with Lovett, "even though he doesn't have the clout or power base of an Ovitz." * Lovett's life took a dramatic turn in the summer of 1995 when CAA founder Ovitz returned from a two-week vacation and announced he was leaving the agency to become president of Walt Disney Co. Ovitz's co-founding partner, agency President Ron Meyer, had left six weeks earlier for a top post at MCA. Their other partner, Bill Haber, subsequently left entertainment to devote himself to charity work. Los Angeles Times, April 22, 1997 In the aftermath, dozens of key Ovitz and Meyer clients left the agency, among them Kevin Costner, Barry Levinson and Barbra Streisand. Morale plummeted, and Lovett had to assure everyone from nervous clients to the valet parking attendant "that everything was going to be OK." Lovett suffered a further blow when top agent Jay Moloney, 30, was forced to leave because of a battle with drugs. Lovett, Moloney and fellow agents Kevin Huvane, Bryan Lourd and David "Doc" O'Connor, were a tightknit group of aggressive, thirtysomething agents known as the Young Turks, whose ambition was to take over the agency. Competitors salivated at the prospect of CAA unraveling. "It was tough going, particularly the first six months," admits Lovett. With a number of new signings and the return of such clients as Sylvester Stallone, Madonna and director Joel Schumacher, Lovett is now confident the agency has "turned the corner." Last week's announcement that 17-year veteran agent Jack Rapke is leaving once again opened the agency to predators. So far, Lovett and his peers have been successful in keeping all of Rapke's clients, including film makers' Robert Zemeckis, Jerry Bruckheimer, Brian Grazer and Ron Howard. Los Angeles Times, April 22, 1997 Lovett's larger challenge is to create a solid direction for the reincarnated agency under a new generation of leaders. "We're a new-old company that needs to find its shape," says Lovett, who likes to think of himself as a "mouthpiece for ideas" at an agency no longer run as a monarchy but as a democracy. Asked whether he ever imagined he'd be in sitting in Meyer's former office in such a pressure-cooker position, Lovett laughs nervously. "I'm the luckiest man alive," says Lovett, who grew up in a suburban middle-class Jewish family in Milwaukee, the son of a gynecologist, and landed a job in CAA's mail room three days after moving to Los Angeles at 22. An actor-writer living in his uncle's Beverly Hills apartment complex arranged an interview for him at "this place called CAA." Fortuitously, two of the four people then working in the mail room had quit that same day, "and they literally needed someone to make deliveries on Monday," recalls Lovett, who'd been sleeping on the floor of a friend's apartment in Glendale "with nothing doing and no prospects." Los Angeles Times, April 22, 1997 Lovett--a yoga enthusiast who lives in Mandeville Canyon with his black Labrador puppy, Norman, and begins his daily routine with a morning hike or mountain bike ride--is much more ambitious than he lets on. After a year in the mail room, he moved up rapidly under the tutelage of veteran agent Fred Specktor. He learned how to work the studio system and lure clients by endearing himself to their close associates, loved ones and managers. Some industry insiders are leery of Lovett's smooth, hard sell. They say he reveals little behind the fashionable gold-rimmed glasses and designer suits. * "He's an enigma," says someone who's known him for years. "Most people can't break through to who he is, but there's much more depth and substance than he shows. His problem is he's moving at a nanosecond faster than it takes to connect as a human being." Five-year client Hanks says he finds Lovett to be "a pretty straight shooter. . . . I've never caught him lying to me or being duplicitous," whereas "there are representatives that are a million times more oily and slicker." Los Angeles Times, April 22, 1997 Lovett's agent skills have served him well as a manager. Specktor, who considers Lovett his "kid brother," says his onetime charge is a natural leader, evidenced by his propensity to mentor others. "He's always taken on more responsibility than he had to," Specktor recalls. "When he was on my desk, I sort of marveled at the fact that he was the leader of the trainees and when he left my desk he'd help young agents." * For the last five years, Lovett also has mentored young students at Venice High School, teaching a Thursday night class in self-esteem and goal-setting from a self-designed curriculum. Lovett pushed himself to the agency's forefront the instant Ovitz announced his leaving. Curiously, Ovitz left no succession plan in place, an unusual step for a man who was a stickler for order and organization. His last act was to appoint a 12-person transition team of senior and younger agents, of which Lovett was one. Lovett and nine others of that group (now seven with the loss of Moloney and Rapke) would take over the management and ownership. Los Angeles Times, April 22, 1997 Unlike some of his brethren who felt personally betrayed by Ovitz for misleading them about his future at the agency, Lovett says he harbors no such resentment. "I did not feel abandoned or betrayed," Lovett insists. "I and the group of us inherited the best agency in the world. . . . I'm very thankful to Michael for the opportunity." Lovett says he remains "very friendly" with Ovitz, from whom he sometimes seeks advice, and has remained close to Meyer, from whom he learned that "kindness is the most important thing." Meyer says he's not surprised that Lovett has done well. "He has great people skills, tremendous business acumen and a great sense of humanity," Meyer says. Yet even some of Lovett's closest peers were initially skeptical. "To physically see him standing at the podium where Michael stood so many times was kind of terrifying," recalls his best friend and fellow Turk, O'Connor. "I was terrified for all of us, thinking, 'Is this whole thing going Los Angeles Times, April 22, 1997 to work?' But Richard plowed straight ahead. He was funny, forceful, and he took charge." Although he is very much a CAA creation and is even referred to by some as "L'Ovitz" because of his confident (some say arrogant) agent instincts and tactics, most find Lovett affable rather than intimidating. "There was always this fear quotient that Mike was going to call and say, 'You've got to do this,' " says one top studio executive. "It was a quid pro quo relationship, and now you can negotiate things." Industry executives perceive Lovett, a sports fanatic who's passionate about his hometown Greenbay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers, as more of a hard-working, regular Joe in an agent's skin, rather than an imperious figure who ruled by fear. "No one quakes when they're told Richard Lovett is on the phone like they did when Ovitz was on the other end of the phone," one studio executive says. Nor is Lovett, in contrast with Ovitz, obsessed with his public image. Los Angeles Times, April 22, 1997 "I'm not a public figure," says Lovett. "We're in a small company town, and I want to stay under the radar." Just as the media spotlight means little to him, so do the usual trappings that could go along with his position--he doesn't have a personal driver and doesn't insist on the best table at Mortons or the Grill. "He's not a self-aggrandizer," says Specktor, who was surprised when he and Lovett lunched at a Hollywood hot spot one day and the newly installed president didn't ask to sit at the favorite tables. Colleagues say that despite his management duties, Lovett doesn't eschew the down-and-dirty drudge work of an agent--not unlike Ovitz in the early years at CAA--and is generous with giving credit to fellow workers, a practice less common in the former regime. Recent hire Risa Gertner says she was impressed when she and Lovett attended a client meeting and "his notes were much more comprehensive than mine." On another occasion, Gertner said she was pleasantly surprised to receive flowers with a note from Lovett complimenting her on what a great job she had done leading a client meeting. Los Angeles Times, April 22, 1997 Within the agency, Lovett's also known to share rather than covet information. "The company has changed," says Tory Metzger, who's been at CAA five years. "Michael was pretty inaccessible. You couldn't just walk into his office and discuss something. Richard's door is always open, and he has relationships with every agent in the company." O'Connor, who, like Lovett, is a 14-year vet of the agency, says: "So much of what Michael was doing was not shared with the company. There was a lot going on behind closed doors, and it gave an atmosphere of secrecy, which doesn't exist anymore." In effect, Lovett has refocused CAA on being a traditional talent agency, servicing and packaging its mega-stars in movie, television and music ventures that make clients and their representatives multimillions of dollars a year. Gone are Ovitz's flashy corporate clients such as Coca-Cola and the Baby Bells and the role he played in brokering such nontraditional deals as the sale of Columbia Pictures and MCA/Universal Pictures--all of which transcend the conventional role of an agent. Los Angeles Times, April 22, 1997 Today, CAA's nontraditional activities include helping such clients as the Smithsonian Institute and Children's Television Workshop and housing an on-site multimedia facility--the CAA-Itel Media Lab--to expose clients to new media technologies. It also was personally important to Lovett, who, friends say, realized five years ago that his own life was too one-dimensional, that CAA commit more to community service and start a foundation dedicated to educational initiatives. His first hire was Michelle Kydd, who coordinates a monthly charity drive at the agency and involves the company in community outreach projects. Ovitz was known for his personal support of various charitable causes, but not for the agency's commitment. "I want to redefine how a company defines its success," says Lovett. "If that stamps a generational change of what leaders in their 30s think a company is about, that it's not just about making money . . . then that's certainly a change from the past and absolutely a priority for me." The jury is still out whether Lovett, as one prominent Hollywood producer puts it, "can create his own legacy" and reinvent the agency out of the shadow of the man who left an indelible mark on an entire industry. Los Angeles Times, April 22, 1997 (BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC) Labor of Lovett Richard Lovett, 36, has spent his entire 14-year career at Creative Artists Agency, ascending from the mail room to represent some of Hollywood's biggest names and now running the most successful Hollywood agency. Lovett has been able to keep the agency at the top of its game in the wake of the departures of founders Michael Ovitz, Ron Meyer and Bill Haber. * Changes at CAA Under Lovett * A return to its roots as a traditional agency focused on booking and packaging movie star, writer, director and producer clients in motion picture, television and music ventures. Ovitz took the agency in several directions, including marketing for companies such as Coca-Cola and brokering mega-mergers of such entertainment companies as Columbia Pictures and MCA. *In contrast with Ovitz's autocratic rule, Lovett has improved working conditions, running the agency more collegially and encouraging a free flow of Los Angeles Times, April 22, 1997 ideas. * Lovett wants to redefine the success of a company by not only its annual billings but also its social conscious-ness. CAA now is routinely involved in charity work. GRAPHIC: PHOTO: (Richard Lovett) PHOTOGRAPHER: CLARENCE WILLIAMS / Los Angeles Times PHOTO: Creative Artists Agency's managing directors in a 1996 photo, front row from left: Jack Rapke, Richard Lovett, Rick Nicita and Lee Gabler. Back row: Tom Ross, Bryan Lourd, David O'Connor and Kevin Huvane. PHOTOGRAPHER: PATRICK DOWNS / Los Angeles Times LANGUAGE: English LOAD-DATE: April 22, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 42 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Business Wire, Inc. Business Wire April 21, 1997, Monday DISTRIBUTION: Business Editors LENGTH: 637 words HEADLINE: Kodak to help U.S. Forest Service launch new "Woodsy Owl" campaign DATELINE: ROCHESTER, N.Y. BODY: April 21, 1997--With a new look and a new theme, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service--with help from Eastman Kodak Company--is reintroducing "Woodsy Owl," a cartoon character created by the Forestry Service 25 years ago to bring conservation/ecology messages to children. Woodsy, complete with backpack, is launching his expanded mission, "Lend A Hand, Care for the Land," at six national events beginning Saturday, April 19, and extending to Earth Day, April 22. The public events are designed to make Business Wire, April 21, 1997 everyone aware of how children as young as five can play a personal role in conserving our natural resources. The Children's Television Workshop, creators of "Sesame Street," worked with the Forestry Service on the redesign of Woodsy Owl and on new teaching materials, including an activity book for children ages five through eight. Children's books and newsletters will help to reinforce the environmental message as a major licensing program gets underway. The popular spokesbird is being positioned by the Forest Service as "the children's eco-edutainment property for the next millennium." Kodak is printing thousands of 11 x 14-inch color posters featuring Woodsy, together with Bill Nye the Science Guy, and providing Eco-Tips and Photo Tips -- so that children can take important environmental messages home and hang them on their wall. The company is also sending one or more Kodak Ambassadors to each of four venues: Cypress Gardens in Florida and Knott's Berry Farm in California on April 19; and the Anacostia Urban Tree House in Washington, D.C. and the Atlanta Zoo on April 22, to assist picture-takers in photographing a costumed version of Woodsy. Newly developed and produced public service announcements in English and Spanish will bring an animated Woodsy Owl's words of wisdom to children Business Wire, April 21, 1997 through 1200 networks, individual stations and cable systems. Upwards of 95 percent of all US households are expected to get the message before Earth Day 1998. "We are excited about the friendships Woodsy is forming and the Forest Service's cooperation with companies such as Kodak," says Pamela Goddess, Natural Resource Conservation Education Program Manager, USDA Forest Service. "This type of collaboration will form the foundation of a new marketing program for Woodsy. We are especially pleased to be working with a company with a strong sense of environmental responsibility." "Not only should the Earth Day events be great family fun," says Jerry Johnson, Kodak Vice President, Consumer Imaging, "but everyone's attention will focus on Woodsy's message that each child can help improve the environment. We, at Kodak, believe Woodsy's message is a very important one and we're proud to play a part in getting it out." Kodak recently reached a recycling milestone, which is celebrated in a line at the bottom of the Woodsy Owl posters. More than 100 million one-time-use cameras have been reused or recycled in the company's highly successful closed-loop recycling program. (After removing the film for processing, photofinishers have the option of returning the cameras to Kodak for recycling Business Wire, April 21, 1997 and reuse.) The program is believed to be one of the most successful consumer product recycling and reuse efforts in the world. -0- Editor's Note: For additional information about Kodak, visit our web site on the Internet at: http://www.kodak.com/ CONTACT: Eastman Kodak James E. Blamphin Corporate Media Relations Phone:(716) 724-5036 Fax: (716) 724-0964 LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: April 22, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 43 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Crain Communications Inc. Electronic Media April 21, 1997 SECTION: People; Pg. 34 LENGTH: 2027 words HEADLINE: WHO IS NEWS BODY: Broadcast TV Rick Feldman to president and general manager, KCOP-TV, Los Angeles, from vice president and general manager. Janice Wilson to senior vice president for marketing and development, Maryland Public Television, Baltimore, from vice president, corporate support, PBS, Alexandria, Va. Electronic Media, April 21, 1997 Gwen Wood to vice president, distribution services, PBS, Alexandria, Va., from director, satellite services. Susan Bracey to vice president, controller, Fox Broadcasting Co., Los Angeles, from controller. Also at Fox, John Luma to senior vice president, on-air promotion, Los Angeles, from vice president, on-air promotion, Fox Sports Net. Rick Henry to vice president and general manager, WISN-TV, Milwaukee, from vice president, sales, WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh. Gene Robinson will retire as general manager of WMBD-TV/AM/FM, Peoria, Ill. A successor will be named in a few weeks. Carol Rueppel to general manager of WITI-TV, Milwaukee, from news director WDIV-TV, Detroit. She succeeds Andy Potos, who retired. Keith Lollis, general manager, KDRV-TV, Medford, Ore., and KDKF-TV, Klamath Falls, Ore., will retire April 30 after 42 years in the broadcast industry. Renard Maiuri, broadcast group news manager for Chambers Communications Corp., will succeed Mr. Lollis as general manager. Electronic Media, April 21, 1997 Jacqueline DeCosmo to director of graphics, WXYZ-TV, Detroit, from graphics manager. Jodee Bixler to on-air promotions manager, KTXA-TV, Dallas, from promotions producer. Cable Abby Terkuhle to president, MTV Animation, New York, from executive vice president, creative director, MTV. Heidi Diamond to senior vice president, marketing and business development, The Television Food Network, New York, from executive vice president, marketing and promotion, Channel One. Roger Keating to senior vice president, Comcast Cable Communications, Philadelphia, from vice president and head of online group. Raul de Quesada to vice president, marketing and communications, Travel Channel, Latin America, Miami, from vice president, communications and development. Electronic Media, April 21, 1997 Rebecca Bearden to vice president of research and strategic planning, MTV Networks Latin America, Miami, from executive director of International Television Research, Twentieth Century Fox. Jacqueline Raas to vice president, international distribution and affiliate relations, CBS Cable, New York, from director, TVA, a subsidiary of Grupo Abril, Brazil's pioneer multichannel television operator and programmer. Karen Flischel to managing director, Nickelodeon International, London, while continuing to serve as a member of Nickelodeon's worldwide development group. Barbara Pepe to director, special projects, international production, E! Entertainment Television, Los Angeles, from manager, field production. Also at E!, Karen Kaufman to director, sales, international development, from sales executive; and Dorothy Crompton to sales representative, international development, from international sales and marketing coordinator. Craig Hume to general manager of the central Florida cable news channel joint-venture between Tribune Co.'s Orlando Sentinel newspaper and Time Warner Cable, from consultant, MSNBC. Mr. Hume had previously been news director at KTLA-TV, Los Angeles. Electronic Media, April 21, 1997 Courtney Jewell to director of local ad sales, The Weather Channel, Atlanta, from regional manager, affiliate sales and marketing for the north central region. Doug Coblens to senior corporate counsel, International Channel, Englewood, Colo., from corporate counsel. Distribution Vanessa Coffey and Jim Ballantine have signed a development and production agreement with King World, New York. Ms Coffey was formerly a producer, animation, Nickelodeon. Mr. Ballantine was formerly a producer, ''The Ren & Stimpy Show.'' Janice Marinelli to executive vice president, sales, Buena Vista Television, Los Angeles, from senior vice president. Wendy Ferren, Philippe Maigret, Christine Lawton and Lisa Kramer to DreamWorks SKG's sales and marketing team responsible for distribution, Los Angeles. Ms. Ferren will oversee business development, strategy and all sales activity, from vice president, pay TV, Disney, Los Angeles; Mr. Maigret will oversee pay and free television sales activities in Europe, the Middle East, Electronic Media, April 21, 1997 Africa and Australia/New Zealand, and will be based in Los Angeles, from senior vice president, business operations, Studio Canal, France, Los Angeles; Ms. Lawton will head up business and legal affairs, from director, business and legal affairs, domestic home video, Buena Vista, Los Angeles; and Ms. Kramer will be responsible for operations and marketing for the division, from director, pay television, Latin American and Asia, Buena Vista, Los Angeles. New Media Greg Carlisle to president, Jones Cyber Solutions, Englewood, Colo., from chief operations officer. Bruce Judson, general manager, Time Inc. New Media, is resigning to pursue Internet-related opportunities. Journalism Ellen Hyker to director, news operations, WMAQ-TV, Chicago, from technical manager, NBC News and the ''Today Show.'' Kristi Shearer to reporter, KMOV-TV, St. Louis, from weekend anchor/reporter, KWCH-TV, Wichita, Kan. Electronic Media, April 21, 1997 Bob Walters to news director, WBOY-TV, Clarksburg, W.Va., from director, special projects, WWTV/WWUP-TV, Cadillac, Mich. John McQuiston to weekend sports anchor, WFLA-TV, Tampa, Fla., from WBTW-TV, Florence, S.C. Also, Murv Seymour to general assignment reporter, from reporter, KOVR-TV, Sacramento. Tom Edwards to news director, KTWO-TV, Casper, Wyo. and KKTU-TV, Cheyenne, Wyo., from interim news director. Derik Lattig to assignment editor, KTRK-TV, Houston, from assignment editor, KENS-TV, San Antonio. Production Tony Krantz to partner and co-chairman, Imagine Television, Los Angeles, from head of the prime-time television department, Creative Artists Agency, Los Angeles. Roger Kirman to senior vice president of business affairs, Big Ticket Television, Los Angeles, from senior vice president of business affairs, Viacom Productions, Los Angeles. Electronic Media, April 21, 1997 Mimi Steinbauer to vice president international television sales, Lakeshore International, Los Angeles, from vice president of international television, Trimark Television, Los Angeles. Also, Stephanie Denton to vice president, international film sales, from director of international film sales. Nora Reynolds to vice president, production, Paramount Network Television, from production executive. Jodi Nussbaum to vice president, production, Children's Television Workshop, New York, from producer of CTW's ''Ghostwriter.'' Davis Doi to supervising producer, production, Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, Hollywood, Calif., from producer, ''The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest.'' Wendy Wanderman to co-head, feature film division, 3 Arts Entertainment, Hollywood, Calif., from senior vice president, production, Trilogy Entertainment Group, Los Angeles. Also, Scott Solomon to co-head, feature film division, from senior vice president, production, Peters Entertainment, Los Angeles. Judy Meyers to co-executive producer, All American Television Productions' ''Arthel & Fred,'' Los Angeles, from executive in charge of production, FX Networks, Los Angeles. Also, Marla Kell Brown to executive consultant for the Electronic Media, April 21, 1997 new daily talk/variety show, from producer, ''Arsenio Hall Show.'' Radio Brent Hahn to vice president/creative director, World Wide Wadio, Hollywood, Calif., from senior writer/producer. Also, Stewart Sloke to vice president/production director, from senior producer. Harvey Nagler to general manager, CBS News, Radio, New York, from director, news and programming, WCBS-AM, New York. Also at CBS Radio, Marna Spizz to director of sales development, Chicago, from local sales manager, WJJD/WJMK-FM, Chicago. Bob McCuin to national sales manager, WSCR-FM and WXRT-FM, Chicago, from account executive, CBS Radio Sales Eastern sales office, New York. Obituaries William Carpenter, 69, former vice president of WTTG-TV, Washington, and an award winning producer, died April 8 of cancer. Electronic Media, April 21, 1997 Stephen Parker, regional manager, Eyemark Sales, died April 7 of a heart attack en route to Valhalla, N.Y. Medical Center. He was 45. Other Richard Winters to executive vice president, co-head of the television department, Hanson & Schwam public relations, Los Angeles, from vice president. Cindy McWethy to VP, finance, Beacon Communications, Los Angeles, from controller. Tom Kirby to senior consultant, Audience Research & Development, Dallas, from executive producer, WNBC-TV, New York. To have your personnel announcement considered for Who Is News, please mail, fax or e-mail information to Sara Teasdale, ELECTRONIC MEDIA, 740 N. Rush St., Chicago, Ill. 60611. The fax is 312-649-5465. The e-mail address is steasdal@crain.com GRAPHIC: JOHN LUMA, Fox Broadcasting; HEIDI DIAMOND, TV Food Network; JACQUELINE RAAS, CBS Cable; JANICE MARINELLI, Buena Vista; JOHN McQUISTON, WFLA-TV; MURV SEYMOUR, WFLA-TV; TOM EDWARDS, KTWO-TV; HARVEY NAGLER, CBS Electronic Media, April 21, 1997 Radio LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: April 25, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 44 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Phillips Business Information, Inc. HEALTHCARE PR & MARKETING NEWS April 17, 1997 SECTION: Vol. 6, No. 8 LENGTH: 632 words HEADLINE: BEST PR CAMPAIGN: YALE-NEW HAVEN HOSPITAL WRITES NEW CHAPTER WITH KIDS' BOOK BODY: Campaign: "Now I Know Better: Kids Tell Kids About Safety" Company: Yale-New Haven Hospital (New Haven, 203/785-2488) Campaign Budget: $50,000 (represents 12% of yearly PR budget) To distinguish Yale-New Haven's emergency pediatric center as the one to turn to for top-notch pediatric services, Tom Urtz conceptualized "Now I Know Better: Kids Tell Kids About Safety" in Fall of 1995 from the notion that "Many times kids won't listen to adults about safety, but they will listen to other kids." From that HEALTHCARE PR & MARKETING NEWS April 17, 1997 point forward, the PR team took the ball and ran with it, building a creatively strategic campaign that captured not only the interest of the media but the community's hearts as well. First, the team announced to the local media that it was looking for "real-life" stories from youngsters about accidents they'd experienced and prevention advice they could offer to other children. To solicit youth support, the PR department sent letters to local schools. Community response was incredible, generating 700 letters from dozens of Connecticut towns and schools. Seventy letters, from children ages 5 to 19, were ultimately selected for the 96-page book, which shared heart-wrenching youth accidents and advice on injuries that ranged from bee stings to burns, knife cuts to gunshot wounds. When the book was published in April 1996, this presented yet another exciting opportunity for mass media coverage. And the media responded in a big way: 58 media outlets (primarily newspapers, with some radio and TV) reached over four million readers and viewers from the New Haven Register and WTNH-TV (New Haven) to the New York Times Health Supplement and Orlando Sentinel. In addition, the book was such a hit that it caught the attention of Brookfield, Mass.-based Millbrook Press, Inc., a leading publisher of educational books, which released a national edition in August HEALTHCARE PR & MARKETING NEWS April 17, 1997 1996. Also, in February, the team worked with the state's agency on services for the blind to produce a braille version of the book. From the initial $50,000 investment, the hospital's return on investment was achieved through selling the book's rights to Millbrook Press ($10,000), minimal advertising to defray printing costs, and sell-through at local book stores and direct mail of 1,300 books. But the tremendous exposure this campaign achieved and continues to receive is what is most impressive. In addition to the heightened media coverage, immeasurable community awareness was cemented with the distribution of 10,000 books that were given to schools, doctors offices and the local Boy Scouts. This campaign, which gained momentum from the outset, "truly took on a life of its own," said Urtz. Now, the hospital is well-positioned to develop a host of follow-up community outreach programs. Among them, safety classroom programs and child-safety videos that can be sold to schools, libraries and even children's television programmers. Thanks to the campaign's innovation, Yale-New Haven's name is not only synonymous with expert emergency pediatric care, but compassionate pediatric safety and accident prevention. The Team HEALTHCARE PR & MARKETING NEWS April 17, 1997 David T. Bachman, M.D., editor; Mary Beth Esposito, RN, (pediatric emergency dept.); Ken Best, media coordinator; Jeanne Criscola, publication designer; Donna Donovan, RN, (pediatric emergency dept); Katie Krauss, asst. director of public relations; Michele Mastropetre, administrative assistant; Jan Taylor, senior writer; Tom Urtz, director of public relations and associate editor; and Cathy Zaorski, special projects coordinator. LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: April 17, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 45 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Information Access Company, a Thomson Corporation Company IAC (SM) Newsletter Database (TM) Phillips Business Information, Inc. Healthcare PR & Marketing News April 17, 1997 SECTION: No. 8, Vol. 6 LENGTH: 616 words HEADLINE: BEST PR CAMPAIGN: YALE-NEW HAVEN HOSPITAL WRITES NEW CHAPTER WITH KIDS' BOOK BODY: Campaign: "Now I Know Better: Kids Tell Kids About Safety" Company: Yale-New Haven Hospital (New Haven, 203/785-2488) Campaign Budget: $ 50,000 (represents 12% of yearly PR budget) Healthcare PR & Marketing News April 17, 1997 To distinguish Yale-New Haven's emergency pediatric center as the one to turn to for top-notch pediatric services, Tom Urtz conceptualized "Now I Know Better: Kids Tell Kids About Safety" in Fall of 1995 from the notion that "Many times kids won't listen to adults about safety, but they will listen to other kids." From that point forward, the PR team took the ball and ran with it, building a creatively strategic campaign that captured not only the interest of the media but the community's hearts as well. First, the team announced to the local media that it was looking for "real-life" stories from youngsters about accidents they'd experienced and prevention advice they could offer to other children. To solicit youth support, the PR department sent letters to local schools. Community response was incredible, generating 700 letters from dozens of Connecticut towns and schools. Seventy letters, from children ages 5 to 19, were ultimately selected for the 96-page book, which shared heart-wrenching youth accidents and advice on injuries that ranged from bee stings to burns, knife cuts to gunshot wounds. When the book was published in April 1996, this presented yet another exciting opportunity for mass media coverage. And the media responded in a big Healthcare PR & Marketing News April 17, 1997 way: 58 media outlets (primarily newspapers, with some radio and TV) reached over four million readers and viewers from the New Haven Register and WTNH-TV (New Haven) to the New York Times Health Supplement and Orlando Sentinel. In addition, the book was such a hit that it caught the attention of Brookfield, Mass.-based Millbrook Press, Inc., a leading publisher of educational books, which released a national edition in August 1996. Also, in February, the team worked with the state's agency on services for the blind to produce a braille version of the book. From the initial $ 50,000 investment, the hospital's return on investment was achieved through selling the book's rights to Millbrook Press ($ 10,000), minimal advertising to defray printing costs, and sell-through at local book stores and direct mail of 1,300 books. But the tremendous exposure this campaign achieved and continues to receive is what is most impressive. In addition to the heightened media coverage, immeasurable community awareness was cemented with the distribution of 10,000 books that were given to schools, doctors offices and the local Boy Scouts. Healthcare PR & Marketing News April 17, 1997 This campaign, which gained momentum from the outset, "truly took on a life of its own," said Urtz. Now, the hospital is well-positioned to develop a host of follow-up community outreach programs. Among them, safety classroom programs and child-safety videos that can be sold to schools, libraries and even children's television programmers. Thanks to the campaign's innovation, Yale-New Haven's name is not only synonymous with expert emergency pediatric care, but compassionate pediatric safety and accident prevention. The Team David T. Bachman, M.D., editor; Mary Beth Esposito, RN, (pediatric emergency dept.); Ken Best, media coordinator; Jeanne Criscola, publication designer; Donna Donovan, RN, (pediatric emergency dept); Healthcare PR & Marketing News April 17, 1997 Katie Krauss, asst. director of public relations; Michele Mastropetre, administrative assistant; Jan Taylor, senior writer; Tom Urtz, director of public relations and associate editor; and Cathy Zaorski, special projects coordinator. COPYRIGHT 1997 Phillips Business Information, LANGUAGE: ENGLISH IAC-ACC-NO: 03655244 ND LOAD-DATE: May 16, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 46 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 PR Newswire Association, Inc. PR Newswire April 16, 1997, Wednesday SECTION: Entertainment, Television, and Culture LENGTH: 864 words HEADLINE: Humphreys, Minnich End Relationship With Red Sky Interactive DATELINE: SAN FRANCISCO, April 16 BODY: Doug Humphreys and April Minnich, two of the founders of Red Sky Films and Red Sky Interactive have launched Skyrocket. Described as a "next generation" interactive design and technology company, Skyrocket will focus on creating web sites and other interactive projects for Fortune 500 companies. The launch follows closely Red Sky Films management's decision to sell their interest in Red Sky Interactive to ad agency holding company, Omnicom. Doug Humphreys, Skyrocket's president and CEO and April Minnich, vice president and director of marketing, continue as principals of Red Sky Films, an award-winning PR Newswire, April 16, 1997 producer of broadcast commercials, feature films, corporate video and children's television programming. Skyrocket will develop digital projects that maximize Fortune 500 companies' use of corporate intranets, extranets and web sites. The company will leverage Red Sky Films' commercial, training video and other traditional corporate communications production with state of the art business technology. As a result, Skyrocket will enable companies to deliver information to more audiences more profitably, more efficiently and with a heightened level of interactive communication with customers, employees and vendors. In addition to internal and external on-line development, Skyrocket projects will include distance learning, database integration and management, consumer profiling, personal agent development and partnering with clients to match their digital solutions strategies to their marketing and educational requirements. According to Humphreys, web sites, particularly those of Fortune 500 companies, have become obsolete because today's intranets and extranets need to progress far beyond their initial storytelling. These sites, Skyrocket believes, now require complex interactivity, robustness, data collection and performance that can only be accomplished through use of the latest tools and entertaining, creative implementation. "This kind of web performance requires the formidable technology framework we now offer our PR Newswire, April 16, 1997 clients, and takes advantage of a company's significant investment in existing legacy software," Humphreys said. According to April Minnich, "My previous work with Red Sky Interactive, one of the first wave of successful interactive companies, taught me a lot about building success. We have the human and technical resources to lead the next wave of interactive development by choosing the best practices from a wide array of media tools and business expertise and helping our clients develop profitable digital strategies." Detailing the company's mission and qualifications as a new interactive entity, Humphreys said, "My former partners and I launched Red Sky Interactive three years ago with a focus on strong design -- something that made the company an attractive choice for Omnicom. Skyrocket is different. With this new effort, we establish ourselves as top systems architects by bringing business and technology into the picture to complement our experience in creative media development." Two new management team members, Dan Goter and Gabi Hutter will play critical roles in Skyrocket's new direction. Goter, formerly of Coopers and Lybrand, will add new technology and business consulting services to Skyrocket while Gabi Hutter will function as the company's concept architect, providing interactive PR Newswire, April 16, 1997 structure and systems planning for new interactive projects. According to Humphreys, it is incumbent upon interactive developers to integrate marketing, client tracking and database systems to capitalize on the digital options that are most appropriate for their needs. "Today's interactive developers must take into consideration that larger companies have invested years of development and money in legacy software and systems." Dan Goter commented: "Combining deep understanding of the critical business issues and market realities with the creative edge of Red Sky Films positions Skyrocket in a unique place. We not only execute our clients' visions, but also help them conceive of them and then follow up to ensure that they reap the business results on the bottom line." Gabi Hutter added, "The majority of the content represented on the Internet today is largely informational in nature. Internet visitors experience frustration in their efforts to sift through the mounds of irrelevant content. Skyrocket designs solutions around customer experiences enabling intuitive effective navigation and content dissemination and absorption." PR Newswire, April 16, 1997 Red Sky Films was founded seven years ago as a provider of digital editing and special effects and film production and has since become a leader in the West Coast film production community. The company has produced more than 400 commercials for such top ad agencies as Saatchi and Saatchi, Goodby Silverstein and Partners and Hal Riney and Partners. Skyrocket is located at 60 Green Street in San Francisco. For further information contact Pat Meier, Pat Meier Associates Public Relations, 415-392-4200 or e-mail patmeier@patmeier.com. SOURCE Red Sky Films CONTACT: Pat Meier of Pat Meier Associates PR, 415-392-4200, or patmeier@patmeier.com, for Red Sky Films LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: April 17, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 47 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Times Newspapers Limited The Times April 9, 1997, Wednesday SECTION: Features LENGTH: 541 words HEADLINE: Danger, children viewing BYLINE: Patricia Holland BODY: Fears over Love Bites mask a threat to children's TV itself, says Patricia Holland Are some television programmes made for children "stealing their innocence", as the Daily Mail accused the controversial Love Bites (LWT/Granada)? The worry is not new. Children's television viewing has long provoked high anxiety. Times Newspapers Limited, April 9, 1997 Parents are naturally worried about the secret moments children spend alone with their television sets. We are hearing about a threat to childhood itself. But the dangers came from another quarter altogether. While the perennial problem of teenage sexuality preoccupies the commentators, it may well be that the future of all children's television in its present form is under threat. Our familiar television environment is changing fast and will deeply affect children's programming. After the launch of Channel 5, as the last conventional terrestrial channel, our rapidly multiplying cable and satellite channels will soon be joined by an as-yet unknown number of digital channels. More television, especially more for children, is not in itself a bad thing. The problem is that more channels will mean that each will get a smaller share of a finite audience and necessarily smaller budgets. It could be that we will lose the programmes we love as well as those, such as Loves Bites, which we love to hate. Domestically produced children's programming, protected by a public service environment, is having the rug pulled from under its feet. From quality dramas to innovative cartoons, the quality and diversity of our present range of children's programmes was celebrated at Sunday's awards LEVEL 1 - 47 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Times Newspapers Limited The Times April 9, 1997, Wednesday SECTION: Features LENGTH: 541 words HEADLINE: Danger, children viewing BYLINE: Patricia Holland BODY: Fears over Love Bites mask a threat to children's TV itself, says Patricia Holland Are some television programmes made for children "stealing their innocence", as the Daily Mail accused the controversial Love Bites (LWT/Granada)? The worry is not new. Children's television viewing has long provoked high anxiety. Times Newspapers Limited, April 9, 1997 Parents are naturally worried about the secret moments children spend alone with their television sets. We are hearing about a threat to childhood itself. But the dangers came from another quarter altogether. While the perennial problem of teenage sexuality preoccupies the commentators, it may well be that the future of all children's television in its present form is under threat. Our familiar television environment is changing fast and will deeply affect children's programming. After the launch of Channel 5, as the last conventional terrestrial channel, our rapidly multiplying cable and satellite channels will soon be joined by an as-yet unknown number of digital channels. More television, especially more for children, is not in itself a bad thing. The problem is that more channels will mean that each will get a smaller share of a finite audience and necessarily smaller budgets. It could be that we will lose the programmes we love as well as those, such as Loves Bites, which we love to hate. Domestically produced children's programming, protected by a public service environment, is having the rug pulled from under its feet. From quality dramas to innovative cartoons, the quality and diversity of our present range of children's programmes was celebrated at Sunday's awards Times Newspapers Limited, April 9, 1997 ceremony at the British Academy for Film and Television Arts (Bafta). But budgeting constraints are already beginning to bite. Greater competition is putting pressure on broadcasters to deliver bigger audiences rather than risk developing new programme ideas. Factual programmes such as the Bafta winner Wise Up (Carlton, for Channel 4) may come under threat. The substantial budgets made available for programmes such as Teletubbies, the BBC's delightful new series for very young children, will no longer be available. An innovative and popular drama series such as the Bafta-nominated Demon Headmaster (BBC), which was previously made in runs of six, may now be required to expand to 13 or even 36 episodes, weakening the storyline and with less value placed on production. Already children are offered more easy-to-watch, bought-in programmes from America. The drive to find commercial funding means that programmes are often toy-based - little more than extended commercials for marketing spin-offs. There are Thatcher's Children, as the title of a recent book calls them, trailing the legacy of an exploitative market philososphy which reduces them to consumers. If television is to serve their needs, they should be recognised as a separate audience to whom broadcasters have a special responsibility. Times Newspapers Limited, April 9, 1997 And it will include programmes that are not always acceptable to adults. As well as the educational and the entertaining, it should indulge children's taste for the scary, appeal to the cruder side of their humour, and recognise their increasing desire to leave childhood behind. LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: April 10, 1997 LEVEL 1 - 48 OF 170 STORIES Copyright 1997 Reed Elsevier Inc. Variety April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 SECTION: SPECIAL REPORT: Spotlight: MipTV '97; Pg. M47 LENGTH: 39019 words HEADLINE: What's for sale at Mip BYLINE: Kirstin Swanson and Lee Simkins. BODY: The following are product listings, submitted by the companies, for the Mip TV market, which runs April 11-16 in Cannes. A Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 AB Prods. 132 Avenue du President Wilson B.P. 95 93213 La Plaine St. Denis Cedex, France (33-1) 4922-2001 Fax: (33-1) 4922-2216 Stand: 22.01 Attending: Frederik Range, VP sales & marketing; Guillaume Galliot, Valerie Vleeschouwer, intl. sales managers. Product highlights: "SOS Croco," animated series about three crocodiles, all of whom are secret service agents operating under the cover of a vehicle haulage and repair company; 39 x 26 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Barry Gray," documentary on a real gentleman-robber and crook; 52 min. "Elisa Top Model," series set in the fashion world; 26 x 52 min. "Platform 1," action/drama series centered on a female railway cop; 13 x 90 min. ABC Intl. G.P.O. Box 9994 Sydney, 2001, Australia (61-2) 9950-3177 Fax: (61-2) 9950-3169 Stand: 02.41 Attending: Wendy Hallam, manager; Rosi Krupa, European manager; Mark Slattery, senior sales exec; Liz Goldsworthy, European coordinator. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Product highlights: "Access All Areas," music makers talk about their art; 15 x 55 min. "What's Your Poison," how caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, marijuana and Ecstasy work and what they do to our bodies; 5 x 27 min. "Fallen Angels," ongoing drama series set in the legal center that satirizes our imperfect lives; 20 x 50 min. "Petals," five tiny animated flower people explore a garden world of oversized objects; 30 x 5 min. AFMA 10850 Wilshire Blvd., 9th floor Los Angeles, CA 90024 (310) 446-1000 Fax: (310) 4461600 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Stand: 09.24 Attending: Missy Huger, VP, member services. A.S.P. 23 Rue Raynouard 75016 Paris, France (33-1) 4224-5050 Fax: (33-1) 4224-6642 Stand: 08.28 Attending: Alain Siritsky, president; George Pilzer, sales. Product highlights: "The New Adventures of Emmanuelle," alien visitors to our planet choose Emmanuelle to teach them about human love and sexuality in a series of erotic adventures. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Justine," a young schoolgirl's daydreams of perilous and amorous adventures around the world with her professor. "The Click," series of erotic tales about a magic box that releases passions among those who dare to "click" the button. "Butterscotch," the secrets of Hollywood as seen by an invisible man. Abbey Broadcast Communications Warwick House 106 Harrow Road London, W2 1XD, U.K. (44-171) 262-1012 Fax: (44-171) 262-6020 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Stand: H4.10 Attending: Ian Miles, Anne Miles, managing directors; Catherine Bilsborough, senior product manager. Abrams/Gentile Entertainment 244 W. 54th St., 9th floor New York, NY 10019 (212) 757-0700 Fax: (212) 765-1987 Stand: 05.19 Attending: Marty Abrams, CEO; John Gentile, president; Jenny Gentile, senior VP, licensing; David Wollos, consultant, intl. licensing. Product highlights: "Sky Dancers," animated series about six young students with incredible powers; 26 x 23 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Dragonflyz," animated series featuring elite dragon fighters involved in a battle for the world's fate in the 24th century; 26 x 23 min. "Vanpires," a mysterious meteor crashes into an auto scrap yard and the derelict cars come to life; 26 x 23 min. "Little Orphan Annie," animated adventure series based on the long-running comic strip; 26 x 23 min. Action Time Wrendal House 2 Whitworth St. West Manchester, M1 5WX, U.K. (44-161) 236-8999 Fax: (44-161) 236-8845 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Stand: G3.28 Attending: Stephen Leahy, CEO; Trish Kinane, director of programs; Keri Lewis Brown, head of intl. sales; Andrew Pemberton, intl. marketing manager; Janet Bennett, intl. sales exec; Jo Rigby, program exec. Product highlights: "Pull the Other One," panel game in which celebrities compete against each other with tales of their lives. "Take a Letter," word game for three players in which contestants win letters rather than points. "Heaven Knows," lively and entertaining religious quiz where competing teams test their religious knowledge. Adler Media 6849 Old Dominion Drive, Suite 360 McLean, VA 22101 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 (703) 556-8880 Fax: (703) 556-9288 Stand: 14.28; phone: 9299-8261 Attending: Larry Adler, president; Ingrid Enzelsberger, director, intl. sales & acquisitions. Product highlights: "Cosmic Travelers: Comets and Asteroids," the effects of past impacts on Earth and plans to protect it from a comet impact in the future; 50 min. "Dream Jets," docu takes viewers aboard some of the most lavish aircraft ever built for world leaders and members of the social elite; 2 x 50 min. "James Dean at High Speed," Julie Harris, Eartha Kitt, Dennis Hopper and Liz Sheridan share memories of James Dean, who loved the thrill of high speed; 50 min. "Great Lakes of Europe," docu about the beautiful lakes of the Alpine region; 8 x 30 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 All American Fremantle Intl. 57 Jamestown Road London, NW1 7DB, U.K. (44-171) 284-0880 Fax: (44-171) 916-5511 Stand: 12.14/H4.21 Attending: Larry Lamattina, president; David Champtaloup, president, intl. TV; Doug Gluck, exec VP; Monica Galer, senior VP; Jennifer Chrein, VP, intl. sales; Jean Huang, director, intl. sales. Product highlights: "The Adventures of Sinbad --- Season 2," legendary hero Sinbad the Sailor is back, swashbuckling his way through a second live-action series; 22 x 60 min. "We the Jury," a jury must pass judgment on a popular celebrity, on trial for murdering her husband; 2-hour TV movie. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "On the Line," a female police officer must prove her ability and gain respect in her male-dominated homicide department; 2-hour TV movie. "Ghost Stories," series that blends the look of modern-day horror films with supernatural stories; 22 x 60 min. Alliance Communications 121 Bloor St. East, Suite 1500 Toronto, Ontario Canada, M4W 3M5 (416) 967-1174 Fax: (416) 960-0971 Stand: G3.14; phone 9299-8348 Attending: Robert Lantos, chairman-CEO; Victor Loewy, vice chairman; Todd Leavitt, chairman, Alliance TV; Michael Weisbarth, president, Alliance TV Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Prods.; Jeff Rayman, president, Alliance Equicap; Patrice Theroux, exec VP, Alliance Motion Picture Distribution; Laurie Pozmantier, exec VP, Alliance TV; John Fremes, president, Le Monde Entertainment; Jean-Michel Ciszewski, senior VP sales, Alliance Intl. TV; Christine Shipton, VP, creative affairs, Alliance TV Prods.; Lisa Pierce, VP marketing, Alliance Intl. TV. Product highlights: "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," drama based on Victor Hugo's classic Gothic epic. "The Inheritance," story of an Italian orphan who is taken in by a wealthy family as a governess for their youngest child. "Total Recall: The Series," sci-fi series based on the movie; 22 x 60 min. "Due South," a Canadian Mountie and a wisecracking cop with a flexible sense of morality find common ground amid their differences; 26 x 60 min. Alya Prods. 3 Avenue du President Wilson Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 75016 Paris, France (33-1) 4069-6600 Fax: (33-1) 4720-0231 Stand: G3.16 Attending: Laurence Bachman, managing director; Ariane Heyraud, Cecile Roger-Machat, producers. Product highlights: "Red & Black," new adaptation of Stendhal's masterpiece; 2 x 100 min. "Mister Justice," a legal reporter, unjustly imprisoned for the murder of his wife, carries out counter-investigations each time he feels a miscarriage of justice has occurred in a court case. "The Shores of Paradise," a mayor decides to build an amusement park on land that his family has owned for generations. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Doctor Sylvestre," series about a young physician who prefers to travel to see his patients; 19 x 90 min. Amaya Distribution 25 Rue Francois 1er 75008 Paris, France (33-1) 4723-2800 Fax: (33-1) 4723-2810 Stand: 10.06 Attending: John Rouilly, president; Bruno Le Sassier, general manager; Anne Magnol, Marie-Laure Hebrard, Jerome Marchand, VPs, sales; Peter Worsley, director of sales & development. Product highlights: "Champions of the Wild," wildlife documentary series featuring experts who have dedicated their lives to studying a particular animal and its behavior; 13 x 26 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Forests," documentary series looking at forests around the world; 6 x 60 min. "Paine Family," uproar ensues when a homeless family is placed in a middle-class apartment block; 2-hour TV movie. "Inside the Secrets of the Ice," documentary about an expedition to Greenland to explore the insides of the glacier that covers the island; 52 min. America Video Film 25 de Mayo 786 --- PB10 Buenos Aires, Argentina (54-1) 313-6253 Fax: (54-1) 313-6242 In Cannes: Hotel Martinez, Suite 314-315; phone 9298-7300 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Attending: Enrique Maya, president; Freddie Hancock, VP acquisitions. Product highlights: "Grand Avenue," a fammily leaves everything behind to start a new life, unfortunately on the wrong side of town; 120 min. "Safe," a Los Angeles housewife's life turns into a terror when the environment turns against her; 100 min. "Two Deaths," a deadly and passionate love affair set against the backdrop of a violent revolution; 100 min. Ampersand 28 Rue Beaubourg 75003 Paris, France (33-1) 4272-7210 Fax: (33-1) 4272-2518 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Stand: 09.16 Attending: Gilles Thion, president; Jean Dufour, VP, marketing; Cynthia Wambold, director of intl. sales. Product highlights: "Star Biographies," insightful portraits of top Hollywood movie stars; 19 x 26 min. "Ski Follies," program featuring skiing bloopers; 50 min. "The Dragon Legacy," portrait of ancient Chinese traditions that are preserved in modern Taiwan; 26 min. Angel Films 967 Highway 40 New Franklin, MO 65274-9778 (573) 698-3900 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Fax: (573) 698-3900 In Cannes: Alize Attending: William H. Hoehne Jr, chairman; Joyce L. Chow, CEO-chief financial officer; Linda G. Grotzinger, VP marketing; Matthew P. Eastman, VP production. Product highlights: "Adventures of the Lunds," children explore time and space while searching for their father, who disappeared while working for the government years earlier; 24 x 60 min. "Here in Time," scientiest and infant daughter travel through time to search for his lost wife; 22 x 60 min. "Serial Squad," elite police unit that solves serial crimes in Las Vegas; 22 x 60 min. "Kala," animated story of the first Christmas tree as told by the Indian Kala; 60 min. Antena 3 TV Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Avda. Isla Graciosa S/N S. Sebastian de los Reyes Madrid 28700, Spain (34-1) 623-0875 Fax: (34-1) 654-8520 Stand: EX.A19-20 Attending: Antonio Asensio, Jose Manuel Lorenzo, Manuel Campo Vidal, Francisco Ramos. Product highlights: "Osados," comedy series about current issues; 10 x 75 min. "Sorpresa, Sorpresa!" series about family celebrations and surprises; 49 x 90 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "La Casa de los Lios," sitcom; 26 x 60 min. The Kay Arnold Group 34 Krama Drive Paramus, NJ 07652 (201) 652-6037 Fax: (201) 612-8578 In Cannes: Hotel America Attending: Kay Arnold, president. Product highlights: "Jim Baugh's Outdoors," family-oriented outdoor program featuring fishing, cooking, travel tips; 70 x 30 min. "Behind the Veil," docu on life in Pakistan, especially for women; 60 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Video Spotlight," music series features celebrity interviews; 56 x 60 min. Arrow Films Intl. 135 W. 50th St., Suite 1925 New York, NY 10020 (212) 258-2200 Fax: (212) 245-1252 Stand: EX.C13; phone 9299-8817 Attending: Rafael Guadalupe. Artear Argentina Lima 1261(1138) Capital Federal Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Buenos Aires, Argentina (54-1) 304-1932 Fax: (54-1) 331-8573 Stand: 14.19 Attending: Lucio Pagliaro, general director, Hugo Di Guglielmo, programming director; Jorge E. Vaillant, intl. marketing director; Walter Sequeira, acquisitions exec; Sheila Hall Aguirre, intl. marketing manager; Mario Gonzalez, intl. marketing. Product highlights: "Man of the Sea," telenovela; 120 x 60 min. "Alen, Light of the Moon," telenovela; 147 x 60 min. "Man's Quest Into Nature," documentaries; 45 x 60 min. "Nano," telenovela; 195 x 60 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Artist View Entertainment 12500 Riverside Drive, Suite 201B North Hollywood, CA 91607 (818) 752-2480 Fax: (818) 752-9339 Stand: 13.26 Attending: Scott J. Jones, president; Jay E. Joyce, VP intl. sales; Marty Poole, intl. TV sales. Product highlights: "Don't Ask Too Much of Love," three friends are torn apart by passion, greed and unscrupulous jealousy; 90 min. "Little Cobras: Operation Dalmatians," four kids take on and ultimately foil a gang of Dalmatian dognappers; 90 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Pressure Point," a CIA assassin is embroiled in a deadly game of political intrigue across two continents; 90 min. "Taylor's Return," a man returns home to face the torments of his youth, a younger brother who feels abandoned and a father who is dying; 90 min. Aska Film Distribution 1600 De Lorimier, Suite 211 Montreal, Quebec Canada H2K 3W5 (514) 521-0623 Fax: (514) 521-6174 Stand: C1.05 Attending: Natasha Rybina, foreign sales director. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Product highlights: "Whirligigs," three Christmas decorations come to life and help a little girl to bring her separated parents back together; 90 min. "The Making of a Dancer," docu follows the transformation of a factory worker into a remarkable classical ballet dancer; 50 min. "King Vidor," portrait of Hollywood legend King Vidor; 28 min. "American Songs," concert/docu filmed during Farm Aid 1996; 56 min. Associated Television Intl. 6290 Sunset Blvd., 12th floor Hollywood, CA 90028 (213) 871-1340 Fax: (213) 469-6048 Stand: E3.08 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Attending: Richard Casares, VP, business affairs; Glenn Aveni, VP, intl. sales; Jim Romanovich, senior VP. Product highlights: "Visions," veteran police detective has a top-secret computer program downloaded in his brain that give him special powers while a shady government agent hunts him down to make this power its own; 90 min. "Evil," an intense psychological profile on what causes people to cross the line of sanity and commit heinous crimes; 2 x 60 min. "No Sweat!" a group of misfits try to keep a local health club open for business; 13 x 30 min. "Ghost Stories," new encounters with ghosts via evidence from photos, videos and audio equipment; 6 x 60 min. ATA Trading Corp. 50 W. 34th St., Suite 506 New York, NY 10001 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 (212) 594-6460 Fax: (212) 594-6461 Stand: 07.16 Attending: Harold G. Lewis, president; Susan Lewis, VP; Phil Saunders, head of production; Lucia Lo Russo, sales director. Product highlights: "Handel's Messiah From the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem," live recording of the traditional musical favorite; 60 or 120 min. "Champs," virtual-reality computer series for kids; 30 min. "Zoo Stories," drama series with characters set at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, providing the audience with a bird's eye view of life for both the animals and the workers; 30 min. "International Travel," intl. docu travel series; 50 x 30 min. Atlantic Celtic Film Corp. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Celtic House Amberley Place Windsor, Berks, SL4 1TN, U.K. (44-1753) 842-222 Fax: (44-1753) 842-244 Stand: H4.35 Attending: Jamie Doran, Leo Soloman. Product highlights: "SEXpionage/The Honey Trap," documentary concerning the struggle between East and West in which the pawns were young women forced by the KGB to seduce secrets from foreign businessmen, diplomats and military officers; 52 min. "Starman," the true story of the life and loves of Yuri Gagarin; 52 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Perceptions," series featuring six of the world's greatest photographers who have agreed to swap jobs and test their expertise in an alien environment; 3 x 52 min. Atlantis Releasing 65 Heward Ave. Toronto, Ontario Canada M4M 2T5 (416) 462-0246 Fax: (416) 406-0254 Stand: 01.27-03.29 Attending: Ted Riley, president; Marnie Sanderson, VP-general manager; Robyn Posner, director, creative services; Jeff Lynas, operations manager; Michael MacMillan, chairman-president-CEO, Atlantis Communications; Lewis Rose, exec VP & CFO, Atlantis Communications; Seaton McLean, president, Atlantis Films Ltd.; Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Peter Sussman, president, USA Atlantis Media. Product highlights: "Gene Roddenberry's Battleground Earth," sci-fi/action-adventure series; 22 x 60 min. "The Adventures of Sinbad," action-adventures series; 44 x 60 min. "Psi Factor --- Chronicles of the Paranormal," dramatic series hosted by Dan Akyroyd; 44 x 60 min. "Traders," drama looks into the high-stakes world of financial intrigue; 48 x 60 min. Australian Children's TV Foundation 145 Smith St., 3rd floor Fitzroy, Victoria 3065, Australia Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 (61-3) 9419-8800 Fax: (61-3) 9419-0660 Stand: 04.26 Attending: Dr. Patricia Edgar, director; Jenny Buckland, general manager & marketing manager; Phethra Bois, intl. sales exec. Product highlights: "Lift Off," series mixes live action, puppetry and animation for children ages 3-8; 78 x 26 min. "Sky Trackers Series," adventures of two families living underneath a massive space tracking station in Australia's outback; 26 x 26 min. "Round the Twist," family moves into a haunted old lighthouse on the Australia coast; 26 x 30 min. Australian Film Commission Level 4, 150 Williams St. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Woolloomooloo, NSW 2011 Australia (61-2) 9321-6444 Fax: (61-2) 9357-3631 Stand: 04.26 Attending: Sue Murray, director, marketing. Austrian Broadcasting Corp Wurzburggasse 30 A-1136 Vienna, Austria (43-1) 87878-4515 Fax: (34-1) 87878-2757 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Stand: 21.01 Attending: Dr. Elfriede Hufnagl, head of sales & purchases; Mag. Gerlinde Schollenberger, Martha Helm, sales execs. Product highlights: "Tales of the Shepherd Dogs," documentary on the use of dogs in the police service; 50 min. "The Secrets of the Ice Mountains," documentary looking at the rare animals that live on the high mountains of Upper Austria; 50 min. "Lamorte," story of 12 women who reunite to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their graduation; 90-min. TV movie. "Orth Castle Hotel," series centered on a family that owns a hotel situated on the banks of Lake Traun, Upper Austria; 13 x 50 min. B BBC Worldwide Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 80 Wood Lane London, W12 OTT, U.K. (44-181) 576-2000 Fax: (44-181) 740-1182 Stand: 17.02-19.01 Attending: Dick Emery, chief operating officer; Fabiola Arredondo, director of intl. distribution; Helen Jackson, head of distribution strategy; Candace Carlisle, VP sales, BBC Worldwide Americas. Product highlights: "Jonathan Creek," drama series featuring a detective who teams up with a novelist to take on cases that have baffled the police; 6 x 50 min. "Teletubbies," pre-school children's series that follows the adventures of the Teletubbies; 260 x 30 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Nazi --- A Warning From History," documentary series on the rise and fall of the Third Reich; 6 x 50 min. "Land of the Tiger," natural history series exploring the natural environment of the tiger; 6 x 50 min. BFI Films 21 Stephen St. London, W1P 2LN, U.K. (44-171) 255-1444 Fax: (44-171) 436-7950 Stand: H4.35 Attending: Martin Goldthorpe, head of sales; Dayle Hodgson, festivals coordinator; Jan Faull, archival footage sales officer; Helen Pike, press contact. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Product highlights: "American Artist," docu series offers revealing portraits of cinema's great artists; 2 x 55-57 min. "The Century of Cinema," docu series made by renowned filmmakers reflecting upon their national cinemas over the last 100 years; 16 x 52 min. "Made in Heaven: The Films," series of shorts based on rock group Queen's final album; 8 x 5-7 min. "Stella Does Tricks," drama about Scottish teenager attempting to escape a life of teenage prostitution in Glasgow and London; 97 min. B.R.B. Intl. Aut. Fuencarral-Alcobendas KM. 12,220 Ed. Auge 1 28049 Madrid, Spain (34-1) 358-6080 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Fax: (34-1) 358-9818 Stand: 19.16/21.13 Attending: Claudio Biern Boyd, president; Ignacio Orive, director of new business development; Pablo Chamorro, commercial director; Monica Iglesias, TV sales manager. Product highlights: "Yolanda, Daughter of the Black Corsair," in the 17th century, in the Gulf of Mexico, Yolanda lives the most incredible adventures; 26 x 30 min. "Football Stories," animated portrayal of the world of football; 26 x 30 min. "The New World of the Gnomes," series featuring the Gnome characters as they travel around the world trying to avoid the traps set for them by the evil Trolls; 26 x 30 min. "The Untouchables of Elliot Mouse," animated series parodies the old gangster movies set in the lawless atmosphere of Chicago during Prohibition; 26 x 30 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Jane Balfour Films Burghley House 35 Fortess Road London, NW5 1AD, U.K. (44-171) 267-5392 Fax: (44-1710 267-4241 Stand: 05.25 Attending: Jane Balfour, managing director; Mary Barlow, TV sales director; Sarah Banbery, TV sales exec; Helen Williams, Publicity manager. Product highlights: "Born Under the Red Flag," the story of China's remarkable transformation after the death of Mao Zedong; 2 x 55 min. "Colors Straight Up," documentary centered on America's gang kids who have joined the performing arts group Colors United, which becomes their only way Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 out of trouble and off the ghetto's violent streets; 95 min. "Miss India Georgia," documentary following four contestants in the run up to the Miss India Georgia Pageant, held every summer in Atlanta; 57 min. "Holy Cow Swami," documentary chronicling the astounding rise and fall of Swami Bhaktipada of the Hare Krishna movement; 3 x 60 min. Bavaria Film Bavariafilmplatz 7 82031 Geiselgasteig, Germany (49-89) 6499-2681 Fax: (49-89) 6499-2240 Stand: 19.02-21.01 Attending: Dr. Dieter Frank, Thilo Kleine, managing directors; Rosemarie Dermuhl, head of Bavaria Film Intl.; Michael Weber, assistant. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Product highlights: "Beyond Silence," a young woman is torn between her love of music and the love of her parents; 109-min. feature. "Life Is All You Get," while involved in a fracas with two police investigators, Jan bumps into Vera, who turns out to be his dream girl; 118-min. feature. "The German Bronx," series centered on a police department headed by two young women in a district rife with crime and prostitution; 26 x 50 min. "Konigstein," series about the turbulent life of a family involved in the shipping business; 13 x 50 min. Becker Group Ltd. 486 Pacific Highway, Level 2 St. Leonards NSW 2065, Australia Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 (612) 9438-3377 Fax: (612) 9439-1827 Stand: A0.16; phone 9299-8515 Attending: Russell Becker, chairman; Richard Becker, CEO-managing director; Ian Hogg, general manager; Paul Ridley, head of TV; Alana Dimsdale, operations manager, sales; Charles Hannah, head of intl. production; Derek Pola, head of production; David La Follette, president. Product highlights: "Snowy River: The McGregor Saga," continuing stories surrounding the legendary man 30 years after he made his famous ride; 13 x 60 min. "Outback Adventures," on-the-road adventures of a brother and sister on their family's Central Australia cattle property; 13 x 60 min. "Corrigan," eccentric barrister who can litigate circles around his opponents but cannot deal with his two adolescent daughters; 13 x 30 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Earthsearch," adventures surrounding the crew of the starship Stellanger as they try to locate Earth; 10 x 60 min. Bellon Entertainment 250 W. 57th St., Suite 1414 New York, NY 10107 (212) 265-1222 Fax: (212) 265-7318 Stand: 22.02 Attending: Greg Bellon, head of sales. Product highlights: "Ryutaro Kamioka vs. 50 Guests," talk format; 150 x 60 min. "Street Fight," competition format; 18 x 30 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 (612) 9438-3377 Fax: (612) 9439-1827 Stand: A0.16; phone 9299-8515 Attending: Russell Becker, chairman; Richard Becker, CEO-managing director; Ian Hogg, general manager; Paul Ridley, head of TV; Alana Dimsdale, operations manager, sales; Charles Hannah, head of intl. production; Derek Pola, head of production; David La Follette, president. Product highlights: "Snowy River: The McGregor Saga," continuing stories surrounding the legendary man 30 years after he made his famous ride; 13 x 60 min. "Outback Adventures," on-the-road adventures of a brother and sister on their family's Central Australia cattle property; 13 x 60 min. "Corrigan," eccentric barrister who can litigate circles around his opponents but cannot deal with his two adolescent daughters; 13 x 30 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Earthsearch," adventures surrounding the crew of the starship Stellanger as they try to locate Earth; 10 x 60 min. Bellon Entertainment 250 W. 57th St., Suite 1414 New York, NY 10107 (212) 265-1222 Fax: (212) 265-7318 Stand: 22.02 Attending: Greg Bellon, head of sales. Product highlights: "Ryutaro Kamioka vs. 50 Guests," talk format; 150 x 60 min. "Street Fight," competition format; 18 x 30 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 BetaFilm Robert-Buerkle-Strasse 2 85737 Ismaning, Germany (49-89) 9956-0 Fax: (49-89) 9956-2640 Stand: 11.08-13.07 Attending: Jan Mojto, managing director; Klaus Hallig, ITTC president; Michael Knobloch, director of intl. sales; Michaela Niemeyer, director of program, press & PR; Klaus Zimmermann. Product highlights: "The Odyssey," the celebrated travels of Odysseus after the Trojan War, as he is desperately trying to return home to his wife and son; 2 x 90 min. "Pippi Longstocking," animated adventures of the character created by Astrid Lindgren; feature & 26 x 30 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Father's Day," when Thomas Neumann discovers he is infertile, he decides to find out who fathered his kids; 2-hour feature. "Nobody Is Perfect," an unemployed man, on finding that the only jobs available are for women, decides to dress as one and becomes employed as a secretary in his former company; 2-hour pilot & 14 x 60 min. Beyond Distribution 53-55 Brisbane St. Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia (612) 9281-1266 Fax: (612) 9281-1153 Stand: H4.09 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Attending: Mikael Borglund, managing director; Marena Manzoufas, general manager; Torquil Macneal, VP, intl. sales; Marjie Woods, head of European sales. Product highlights: "Good Guys Bad Guys," an ex-cop from a family of hard-line criminals gets caught in the crossfire from both sides of the law; 15 x 60 min. "RAW FM," a group of young people set up community radio station 99.9 RAW FM; 13 x 60 min. "The Amazing World of Mini Beasts," docu looks at the lives of insects and small creatures; 60 min. "Human Race," three men compete in the ultimate endurance test in Australia's remote northwest; 60 min. The Big Events Co. CSI House 177-187 Arthur Road Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Wimbledon Park London, SW19 8AE, U.K. (44-181) 944-5222 Fax: (44-181) 944-5710 In Cannes: The Lady Jersey, Vieux Port; phone 9298-7146 Attending: Michael Bucks, chief exec; Christian Wilse, sales & acquisitions manager; Maro Korkou, acquisitions, development & sales exec. Product highlights: "Frank Sinatra: His Life and Times," the definitive program on Frank Sinatra from his earliest radio peformances until December 1995; 2 x 48 min. specials and 13 x 48 min. The Blum Group 494 Tuallitan Road Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Los Angeles, CA 90049 (310) 476-2229 Fax: (310) 471-8659 In Cannes: Hotel Majestic Attending: Harry N. Blum, Suzanna Blum. Product highlights: "Blue Angels: Around the World at the Speed of Sound," docu hosted by Dennis Quaid; 100 min. "Thunderbirds: Thunder Over the Pacific," docu hosted by Candice Bergen; 100 min. "Bloopertoons," digitally remastered sports bloopers; 13 x 28 min. "Hollywood Hall of Fame Biographies," docus; 54 x 27 min. Bohbot Intl. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 71 Avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt Paris 75008, France (33-1) 5377-2888 Fax: (33-1) 5377-2899 Stand: 15.26/17.21; phone 9299-8219 Attending: Nadia Nardonnet, exec VP & general manager; Leslie Nelson, Jean-Luc Bertin, VPs & directors of intl. sales; Veronique Angelino, senior VP, intl. licensing. Product highlights: "Extreme Dinosaurs," four dinosaurs return to Earth to settle the old score with a gang of ruthless raptors; 52 x 30 min. "Pocket Dragon Adventures," animated dragons live in a fantasy world reminscent of medieval England; 26 x 30 min. "Dot & Spot's Magical Christmas Adventure," two Dalmatians set out on an adventure to rescue Santa Claus and save Christmas; 30 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Bonneville Worldwide Entertainment 16255 Ventura Blvd., Suite 1100 Encino, CA 91436 (818) 379-9400 Fax: (818) 379-8511 Stand: EX.C29-EX.D28 Attending: Michael C. Green, exec VP, film/TV; Lawrence Garrett, head of sales; Wayne H. Wenske, administration. Product highlights: "Summer of the Monkeys," a young boy hopes to capture a band of escaped circus monkeys. "Let's Ruin Dad's Day," two young siblings set out to ruin their father's chances of landing a big new job that would take him away from the family for long stretches of time. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "City Boy," an orphan from the city finds a job as a watchman for a valuable section of virgin forest; 100 min. "Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris," an English maid fulfills her lifelong dream of flying to Paris and buying an original Dior gown; 100 min. Boreales 4 Rue de Pontoise 75005 Paris, France (33-1) 4432-1530 Fax: (33-1) 4325-1787 Stand: H4.35 Attending: Charlotte Luyen-Yakovlev, intl. sales & marketing manager. Product highlights: "Haya Safari," the history of the safari as seen through the eyes of one family living in Kenya; 52 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Kids, Music and Dance," series looking at the world of music and dance through profiles of children from various countries and cultures; 28 x 26 min. Bossa Entertainment 1325 Ave. of the Americas, 21st floor New York, NY 10019 (212) 977-9001 Fax: (212) 581-4954 Stand: H4.12 Attending: Regina Dantas, president & CEO Product highlights: "Absolute Truth" "Carriers" Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "What Love Sees" The Box Worldwide 10635 Santa Monica Blvd. Suite 305 Los Angeles, CA 90025 (310) 441-8420 Fax: (310) 441-8426 Attending: Alan McGlade, president-CEO; Gino Natalicchio, VP, intl. development; Mishka Harden, director, intl. marketing. BRITE London TV Centre Upper Ground Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 London, SE1 9LT, U.K. (44-171) 737-8603 Fax: (44-171) 261-8162 Stand: A0.01 Attending: Nadine Nohr, managing director; Suzie Giblin, head of sales; Sean Kearns, John Norman, senior sales execs; Sylvana Devito, Jayne Redpath, Adam Selly, Jonathan South, sales execs; Kevin Morgan, head of video. Product highlights: "Reckless," series in which a young doctor falls in love with his boss's wife; 6 x 52 min. "The Ebb-Tide," desperate and destitute, three men escape to the South Seas on a plague-infested ship; 104 min. "The Grand," series opening the doors on the lives of the guests and staff of a magnificent hotel in the '20s; 8 x 52 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Black Velvet Band," program set in the 1800s about a band of fugitives who jump ship in Cape Town and plunge headlong into an adventure beyond their wildest dreams. British Pathe 60 Charlotte St. London, W1P 2AX, U.K. (44-171) 323-0407 Fax: (44-171) 436-3232 Stand: 07.25 Attending: Robert Jackson, Chris Davis, managing directors; Andy Goodsir, VP, sales & marketing; Lilla Hurst, marketing & distribution exec. Product highlights: "A Woman of Her Century," documentary on the incredible life of the Queen Mother, who continues to be the rock behind the monarchy; 55 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Classic Century," docu series combining stunning footage from the last 100 years of film with the world's most beautiful classical music; 100 x 8 min. "Century," the story of our time in popular style; 13 x 60 min. "Gizmos," documentary series featuring the most peculiar achievements in the world of inventions; 13 x 5 min. Buena Vista Intl. TV 3 Queen Caroline St. Hammersmith London, W6 9PE, U.K. (44-181) 222-1000 Fax: (44-181) 222-2593 In U.S.: Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 350 South Buena Vista St. Burbank, CA 91521 (818) 560-1000 Fax: (818) 841-3225 Stand: G3.40 Attending: Herb Granath, chairman, Walt Disney TV Intl.; Etienne de Villiers, president, Walt Disney TV Intl.; Simon Kenny, VP, BVI TV; Ed Borgerding, senior VP, Walt Disney TV Intl., Asia Pacific; Joe Ahern, senior VP, broadcasting, Walt Disney TV Intl.; Tim Marshall, VP, Buena Vista Prods. (Intl.); Selby Hall, VP, marketing, Walt Disney TV Intl.; Diane Digit-Rebouche, director, marketing & publicity, Walt Disney TV Intl. Product highlights: "101 Dalmatians," animated series involving the world's most famous pups; 65 x 30 min. "Mummies," series following the exploits of four Egyptian warriors brought back to life to protect and serve the reborn spirit of the young pharaoh; 42 x Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 30 min. "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids," comedy series centered on the Wayne Sazlenski family and the hair-raising consequences of Wayne's inventions; 22 x 60 min. "Jitters," story of a woman who assumed she would never marry but then reluctantly accepts her boyfriend's proposal of marriage; 120 min. C CAPA 80 Rue de la Croix Nivert 75015 Paris, France (33-1) 4045-4700 Fax: (33-1) 4045-4760 Stand: 16.17 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Attending: Herve Chabalier, chairman; Alain Wieder, director of development, Claude Chelli, director of drama; Anne Escure, sales manager; Virginia Henry, sales exec. Product highlights: "Tales of the Heart," program on heart transplant surgery from its beginnings to the present day; 52 min. "Che Was Our Father," the story of Che Guevara's life as seen through his children's eyes; 52 min. "General Lebed," the life of a major contender for Russia's highest office; 52 min. "Sexual Criminals," documentary on the state of therapeutic measures practiced in prison and health care units in Europe and Canada; 26 min. CBC Intl. Sales Box 500, Station A Toronto, Ontario Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Canada M5W 1E6 (416) 205-3500 Fax: (416) 205-3482 Stand: 06.33/04.34 Attending: Thomas Howe, senior director, intl. co-prods, sales & acquisitions; Criss Hajek, deputy director; Susan Hewitt, head of intl. sales; Dina Vangelisti, manager of U.S. sales & co-prods; Veronique Verges, Michelle Payne, Janice Russell, sales execs. Product highlights: "Peacekeepers," a soldier's view of the dangerous work of United Nations peacekeeping as a Canadian platoon struggles to pull a Croatian village out of the chaos of war; 92 min. "Ekhaya: A Family Chronicle," the tale of writer Clarence Hamilton and his political awakening, arrest, torture, exile and escape to Canada; 13 x 60 min. "Martini & Underhill: Leap of Faith," nostalgic special celebrating the skating duo's 20th anniversary; 60 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Guess What?" pre-school science show; 40 x 15 min. CBS Broadcast Intl. 51 W. 52nd St. New York, NY 10019 (212) 975-8585 Fax: (212) 975-7452 Stand: EX.D7; phone 9299-8850 Attending: Ed Wilson, president, CBS Enterprises; Rainer Siek, exec VP, CBS Enterprises/president, CBS Broadcast Intl.; Bob Cook, Marvin Shirley, exec VPs, CBS Enterprises; Scott Michels, VP worldwide sales; Sonja Mendes, managing director, Europe; Anne Hirsch, director, European sales; Yuet-fung Ho, director, intl. sales, Asia; Frances Manfredi, director, domestic cable & special markets; Stephanie Pacheco, director, intl. sales, Latin America. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Product highlights: "Pensacola: Wings of Gold," action drama starring James Brolin as the leader of an elite task force of fighter pilots; 22 x 60 min. "20th Century With Mike Wallace," the CBS news correspondent explores the world events that shaped the second half of this century; 48 x 60 min. "The Barbara Walters Specials," in-depth interviews with world-class personalities; 60 min. "Promised Land," adventure follows a family down on its luck whose cross-crountry journey in search of work changes their lives and those of the people they encounter; 22 x 60 min. CDC United Network 184 Avenue de Messidor 1180 Brussels, Belgium (32-2) 347-4975 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Fax: (32-2) 343-4041 Stand: H4.33 Attending: Alexandre Lippens, managing director; Maximilian Weiner, intl. sales. Product highlights: "Perdida en Amor," young love, seduction, romantic dreams and the battle of wills in a dramatic love triangle; 150 x 60 min. "The Champion," series about the passion, political intrigue and financial power surrounding the game of football; 140 x 60 min. "Belmonte," the story of Juan Belmonte, the most famous Spanish bullfighter and one of the most exciting Spanish characters of the 20th century; 107-min. feature. "El Juego de los Annuncios," interactive TV gameshow. CLT-UFA Intl. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 45 Boulevard Pierre Frieden L-1543 Luxembourg Luxembourg (352) 421-42-3935 Fax: (352) 421-42-3771 Stand: D3.03 Attending: Heinz Lehmann, division head; Heinz Thym, head of intl. acquisitions & sales; Katja Jochum, head of German acquisitions & sales; Florian Bollen, head of business development; Vica Fajnor, acquisitions & co-productions exec; Clarissa Alvarez, sales exec; Jim Wells, marketing manager; Bob Krieps, head of business affairs & operations; Jane Sootheran, servicing manager; Martin Schuermann, L.A. office rep; Sandra Keser-Stajnberger, sales, Eastern Europe; Imke Thierfelder, sales exec. Product highlights: "Air Bud," story of an 11-year-old kid who meets a remarkable dog with a talent for basketball; 92 min. feature. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "The Classic Collection," four live-action series based on "The Enid Blyton Adventure Series," "The Enid Blyton Secret Series," "The Adventures of Swiss Family Robinson" and "Return to Treasure Island"; 74 x 26 min. or 24 TV movies. "Pocket Dragon Adventures," animated adventures of mischievous dragons in a whimsical, medieval world; 26 x 26 min. "The Untouchables of Elliot Mouse," only a few brave agents of the law, led by Elliot Mouse, can stop the gang of Al Catone; 26 x 26 min. CNDP 29 Rue d'Ulm Paris 75005, France (33-1) 4634-9310 Fax: (33-1) 4407-2789 Stand: G3.37 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Attending: Robert Jammes, deputy general director; Solange Ewenczyk, head of production dept; Michele Cohen, acquisitions & co-productions; Jacques Beaujean, sales. Product highlights: "A Passport to Languages II," English, German, Spanish and Italian for young children; 10 x 13 min or 30 x 5 min. "Streums," health education series for the 9-11 age group; 8 x 10 min. "Stories of Evolution," series about the theory of evolution with real images and computer animation; 10 x 13 min. CNET: The Computer Network 150 Chestnut St. San Francisco, CA 94111 (415) 395-7800 Fax: (415) 395-9205 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 In Cannes: Le Hameau des Grenadines, 161 Rue Yves Brayer; phone 9349-5141 Attending: Dan Sexton, VP, TV development; Martin Green, director, business development; Gillian Rose, intl. TV distribution. Product highlights: "CNET Central," the latest developments and feature stories from the world of computer technology; 39 x 30 min. "The Web," views the hottest Web sites, explains the latest tools and covers the Internet culture; 39 x 60 min. "The New Edge," amaxing technological breakthroughs and how they will change the way we live our lives; 26 x 30 min. "Tech Briefs," news and feature reports about the Internet, online services and high-tech industries in self-contained segments; 250 x 90 sec. CS Associates 102 East Blithedale Ave., Suite 2 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Mill Valley, CA 94941 (415) 383-6060 Fax: (415) 383-2520 Stand: 14.23; phone 9299-8288 Attending: Charles Schuerhoff, managing director; Annie Roney, VP, intl. sales. Product highlights: "America in the '50s," chronicles the birth of a new American pop culture that, spurred by military and economic ascendance, became a global export; 7 x 50 min. "Mystery of the Last Tsar," investigative docu that re-examines the Romanov mystery and introduces compelling new evidence; 78 min. "Scientific American Frontiers," docu chronicles topics from the world of science, hosted by Alan Alda; 57 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Frontline: Murder, Money and Mexico," follows this modern fable of two brothers, exploring the charges of corruption in the Salinas government and examining the fallout of Mexico's economic demise for America and the world; 52 min. CTE (Carlton) 35-38 Portman Square London, W1H ONU, U.K. (44-171) 224-3339 Fax: (44-171) 486-1707 Stand: EX.C1 Attending: Philip Jones, managing director; Anthony Utley, head of program sales; Clare Alter, representative, U.S.; Louise Sexton, Evi Nicopoulos, senior sales execs. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Product highlights: "Bliss," an unorthodox scientist's inquiring mind leads him down mysterious avenues of scientific phenomena; 5 x 90 min. "Bramwell 3," medical drama about a bride-to-be whose relationship with her father is tested to the full, while she awaits the return of her fiance from America. "Dangerous Lady," TV movie set in the gangland world of London in the '50s that charts the rise to fame of a poor Anglo-Irish family; 2-hour TV movie. "The Moonstone," when a priceless but cursed diamond, the moonstone, disappears from the Verinder household, Sgt. Cuff arrives to tackle the case; 1 x 2 hours or 2 x 1 hour. CTVC Hillside Studios Merry Hill Road Bushey, Herts, WD2 1DR, U.K. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 (44-181) 950-4426 Fax: (44-181) 950-6694 Stand: 12.15 Attending: Ann Harvey, head of acquisition & distribution; Barrie Allcott, director; John Cowling, finance director; Sue Bird, sales manager. Product highlights: "The Jesus Conspiracy," legal reporter David Jessel examines what may be history's greatest miscarriage of justice: the trial and execution of Jesus of Nazareth; 50 min. "The Way of Sorrows," Canon Martin Shaw of St. Edmundsbury Cathedral follows the Stations of the Cross along the Via Doloroso in Christ's footsteps; 30 min. "A Heavenly Story," Alan Bennett's thought-provoking, wryly amusing talk on the subject of the Christian Parables; 5 x 10 min. or 1 x 50 min. "Away in a Manger," program detailing the ways that animals have been represented in relation to the Nativity story; 60 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Cable Ready 1 Dock St., Suite 502 Stamford, CT 06902 (203) 425-2136 Fax: (203) 425-2140 Stand: 21.12 Attending: Gary Lico, president-CEO. Product highlights: "Inside the Actors Studio," one-on-ones with accomplished actors, directors and writers; 40 x 60 min. "Historic Traveler," tours of popular American historical destinations; 13 x 30 min. "Medical Detectives," investigative series takes a look behind the scenes of fascinating crime stories and rare medical cases to determine "who done it;" Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 26 x 30 min. "Dangerous Knowledge," proposed series about people who unintentionally find themselves in a position of knowing something they do not want to know; 13 x 30 min. Cambium Releasing 18 Dupont St. Toronto, Ontario Canada M5R 1V2 (416) 964-8750 Fax: (416) 964-1980 Stand: 07.30 Attending: Arnie Zipursky, chairman & exec producer; Rita Carbone Fleury, senior VP; David Piperni, director of sales; Donna MacNeil, distribution Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 assistant. Product highlights: "Guardians 4 Good Sense," animated gang uses brain power, not muscles, to rid their land of nonsense and chaos.; 26 x 30 min. "Beezoo's Attic," pre-school puppet series featuring a stuffed toy and his friends who live in an attic; 78 x 30 min. "Robin Hood: A Merry Family Musical," family musical that brings the classic fairy tale to life; 90 min. "In the Key of Eh!" series spotlights the unique sounds of some of the world's most recognized and respected jazz pianists; 6 x 30 min. Canal Plus Distribution 6 Boulevard de la Republique 92514 Boulogne Cedex, France (33-1) 4610-1200 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Fax: (33-1) 4610-1220 Stand: G3.16 Attending: Thierry Schluck, Andrew Milner, Belinda Menendez, Alix Goldschmidt, Diane Reynald, Pierre Weisbein, Carole Baraton. Product highlights: "Mike Hammer: The Legend Returns," series takes Mickey Spillane's famous detective from his native New York City to the fast lane of crime in Southern California; 24 x 60 min. "Trouble With Sophie," animated series based on the works of the Countess de Segur; 26 x 30 min. "Butterscotch," animated spesh about a young woman who leads a full but not quite fulfilling life, until she meets an invisible man; 75 min. "Pardaillan," swashbuckling costume drama telling the story of a young man who, when his lover disappears, discovers that his father had something to do with it; 2-hour feature. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Canamedia Prods. Ltd. 125 Dupont St. Toronto, Ontario Canada M5R 1V4 (416) 324-9190 Fax: (416) 972-6262 Stand: 00.01 Attending: Les Harris, president; Michael Shepard, North American sales manager; Charlotte L. Brotschi, intl. sales manager; Martina Van Zant, distribution coordinator. Product highlights: "Flightpath," aviation docu features the drama of aviation's role in modern life; 26 x 60 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "The Outdoor Journal," unusual outdoor adventures from catching rattlesnakes for their venom to unearthing dinosaur fossils; 21 x 30 min. "Fish'n Canada," shot in North America, each episode explores a new location with different varieties of fish; 215 x 30 min. "The Great Outdoorsman," panoramic adventures of the world's best outdoor activities, including sea kayaking, hiking ice fields, mountain biking and exploring caves; 78 x 30 min. Capitol Films 23 Queensdale Place London, W11 4SQ, U.K. (44-171) 471-6000 Fax: (44-171) 471-6012 Stand: 02.32 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Attending: Sharon Harel, managing director; Toby Melling, director of sales; Andrew Gardner, contract administrator. Product highlights: "The Truce," feature based on Primo Levi's acclaimed memoir about his journey through the chaos at the end of WWII, to home and freedom; 124 min. "Nirvana," a 21st-century inventor of videogames is confronted by one of his characters who comes to life and begs him to cancel the game and release him from his high-tech hell; 115-min. feature. "Kiss Me, Guido," the unlikely relationship between a macho Italian-American with dreams of becoming another De Niro and a gay out-of-work actor struggling to pay the rent; 91-min. feature. "Stiff Upper Lips," irreverent comedy is the English costume drama what "Airplane!" was to the disaster movie; 93 min. Sandra Carter Prods. 230 W. 79th St., Suite 102 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 New York, NY 10024 (212) 246-4765 Fax: (212) 246-4953 Booth: 13.30 Attending: Sandra Carter, president; Daniel Farkas, intl. sales. Product highlights: "Animal Tales," live-action adventure stories for children; 13 x 26 min. "Hermitage Masterpieces," complete global history of art; 18 x 30 min. "Today's Health," valuable information for healthier living; 26 x 30 min. "Women of the World," explores the lives of women around the globe; 26 x 30 min. Catalan Films Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Portal de Sta. Madrona 6-8 08001 Barcelona, Spain (34-3) 412-5640 Fax: (34-3) 412-1958 Stand: G3.31 Attending: Monika Ganzenmuller, coordinator; Gemma Barberan, assistant. Catalyst Distribution 495 Wellington St. West, Suite 212 Toronto, Ontario Canada M5V 1G1 (416) 591-6767 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Fax: (416) 591-6764 Stand: 10.30; phone 9299-8225 Attending: Charles Falzon, CEO; Jill Keenleyside, VP distribution; Stephen Kelley, intl. sales exec; Earl D. Weiner, director of acquisitions & distribution. Product highlights: "The Raccoons," animated raccoons strive to protect the Evergreen Forest; 65 x 30 min. "The Look," the glamour and gossip backstage of the models; 13 x 30 min. "Punch Me in the Stomach," performance drama; 60 min. and 72 min. "The Restless Planet," climatologists around the world examine and explain the weather phenomena; 60 min. Celluloid Dreams 24 Rue Lamartine Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 75009 Paris, France (33-1) 4970-0370 Fax: (33-1) 4970-0371 Stand: H4.35 Attending: Hengemeh Panahi, president; Eric Lagesse, intl. sales; Sally Ingleton, producer; Stephanie Fregnac, sales assistant. Product highlights: "Mao's New Suit," documentary about the changing attitude of people these days toward life in general; 51 min. "Paper Heads," documentary concerning the Czech and Slovak people, from the end of WWII to the present day; 96 min. "The Double Life of Anani Y," documentary on the renowned artist Christo and his brother Anani, who were separated for 26 years by the Cold War; 73 min. Channel 4 Intl. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 124 Horseferry Road London, SW1P 2TX, U.K. (44-171) 396-4444 Fax: (44-171) 306-8363 Stand: 03.34/05.33 Attending: Colin Leventhal, managing director; Stephen Mowbray, TV sales manager; Laurence Dawkin-Jones, Alison Sainsbury, Alix Wiseman, program sales execs. Product highlights: "Melissa," mystery detective series with baffling crimes, wild passions and unexpected twists; 6 x 52 min. "Family Money," a widow's life changes after she gets involved in a street brawl that leaves a man dead; 4 x 52 min. "Riding the Tiger," Hong Kong people deal with their chaotic present, and unknown future; 4 x 52 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "To the Ends of the Earth," documentary series focusing on human endeavor in exploration and adventure; 6 x 52 min. Chatsworth TV Distributors 97-99 Dean St. London, W1V 5RA, U.K. (44-171) 734-4302 Fax: (44-171) 437-3301 Stand: 07.29 Attending: Malcolm Heyworth, managing director; Halina Stratton, director; Isobel Hughes, sales & acquisitions manager; Leigh Collins, sales exec. Product highlights: "Ozzie the Owl," children's series combining 3-D computer animation with natural history film footage; 13 x 10 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Bridging the Gap," magazine inserts that follow the experiences of two individuals at opposite ends of the generation gap who swap jobs for a day; 6 x 6 min. "Cross Combat," children's gameshow combining the strategy of Noughts & Crosses (tic-tac-toe), the energy of an assault course and the stimulus of a quiz. "An Obsession With ... Rabbits," documentary exploring people's preoccupation with rabbits; 30 min. Children's Television Workshop Intl. TV Group 1 Lincoln Plaza New York, NY 10023 (212) 595-3456 Fax: (212) 875-6108 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Stand: 07.11 Attending: J. Baxter Urist, senior VP, intl. TV group; Marjorie Kalins, senior VP, programming & production; Douglas Lee, senior VP, New Kid City; Steven B. Miller, regional VP, Europe/Africa, Canada, Middle East, Caribbean; David Jacobs, regional VP, Asia/Latin America; Gregory Gettas, VP production & exec producer intl. TV group; Renee Mascara, director, marketing and program development, Europe/Africa, Canada, Middle East, Caribbean; Ryan Shiotani, director, marketing and program development, Asia/Latin America; Dolores N. Morris, VP, program development; Nina Elias Bamberger, exec producer, Big Bag. Product highlights: "Open Sesame," animated, live-action from the best of 25 years of "Sesame Street;" 104 x 30 min. "Risky Numbers," gameshow format that challenges contestants' skills in numbers, logic, shapes and patterns; 65 x 30 min. "CRO," comedy-action series introduces science to children 6-11; 21 x 30 min. "Ghostwriter," mystery adventure series designed to encourage literacy in kids 7-10, with an ensemble cast of seven youngsters who solve mysteries with the help of a ghost named Ghostwriter who communicates only through the Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 printed word; 74 x 30 min. Chrysalis Distribution The Chrysalis Building Bramley Road London, W10 6SP, U.K. (44-171) 465-6274 Fax: (44-171) 221-6286 Stand: 05.01 Attending: Christina Willoughby, managing director; Elfyn Morris, sales exec, Africa, Middle East, Southeast Asia & inflight; Anna Askew, sales exec, E. Europe, Latin America & Caribbean; Carolann Johnson, sales assistant. Product highlights: "The Broker's Man," action drama centered on an insurance fraud investigator; 3 x 100 min/6 x 50 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Midsomer Murders --- The Killings at Badger's Drift," the sleepy calm of an English village is shattered by a series of bizarre and brutal events; 102 min. TV movie. "Tom Jones For One Night Only," a retrospective on the singer's 30-year career; 60 min. "Crocodile Shoes --- Series II," the good life for the now successful rock star is still not trouble-free; 6 x 60 min. ChumCity Intl. 299 Queen St. West Toronto, Ontario Canada M5V 2Z5 (416) 591-1604 Fax: (416) 591-1757 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Stand: AO:12 Attending: Moses Znaimer, president-exec producer, CityTV/MuchMusic/MusiquePlus; Jay Switzer, VP, programming, Chum TV; Stephen Tapp, VP, general manager; Denise Cooper, director, business affairs; Isme Bennie, director, programming; Jim Willis, senior manager; Mary Powers, director, communication & marketing, CityTV/ChumCity Intl.; David Kines, director, music operations, MuchMusic; Pierre Marchand, general manager, MusiquePlus; Ralph Halek, president, MuchMusic Argentina. Product highlights: "Arts & Minds," series covering architecture and design, dance, film, literature, music, opera, theater and visual arts; 26 x 30 min. "Fashion Television," global search for top work of fashion creators; 39 x 30 min. "Ooh La La," irreverent looks at the world of fashion; 39 x 30 min. "MT-Movie Television," magazine-style insights into moviemaking; 39 x 30 min. "The New Music," music as seen in various social contexts; 39 x 30 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Ciby Sales 10 Stephen Mews London, W1P 1PP, U.K. (44-171) 333-8877 Fax: (44-171) 333-8878 Stand: 08.16 Attending: Fiona Mitchell, exec VP; Ann Seekins, sales exec. Product highlights: "Secrets and Lies," when her adoptive mother dies, Hortense decides to search for her natural mother; 141 min. "Kansas City," the mob takes over Kansas City on election day, intent on returning corrupt Sen. Stilton to office; 120 min. "Robert Altman's Jazz '34: Remembrances of Kansas City Swing," Robert Altman recreates a classic jam session with some of the best musicians of today Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 playing in the spirit of the Jazz legions of yesterday; 55-min. music spesh. "River Street," having punched a cop, a young property developer is sentenced to community service at a local day center and learns to see life differently when he falls in love with the center's manager; 89 min. Cinar Films 1055 Rene-Levesque East Montreal, Quebec Canada H2L 4S5 (514) 843-7070 Fax: (514) 843-7080 Stand: 09.34 Attending: Micheline Charest, chairman-CEO; Ronald A. Weinberg, president; Louis Fournier, VP, distribution & marketing; Mercedes Alvarez, senior sales Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 exec. Product highlights: "Wimzie's House," educational sitcom for pre-schoolers; 112 x 30 min. "The Country Mouse & the City Mouse Adventures," travels and adventures of two little friends around the world; 26 x 30 min. "Emily of New Moon," family series brings to life the endearing story of this heroine of classic Canadian literature; 26 x 60 min. "The Best Bad Thing," 12-year-old girl spends summer vacation with a recently widowed friend; 90 min. Cine-Groupe 1151 Alexandre-DeSeve St. Montreal, Quebec Canada H2L 2T7 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 (514) 524-7567 Fax: (514) 524-1997 Stand: 08.36/10.35 Attending: Jacques Pettigrew; president & exec producer; Hubert Gariepy, marketing director; Michel Lemire, producer & director; Hasmig Marangian, associate producer. Cinema Arts Entertainment 9350 Wilshire Blvd. Beverly Hills, CA 90212 (310) 550-1085 Fax: (310) 550-1182 In Cannes: Le Narval Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Attending: Pierre-Richard Muller, chairman; Chantal Lam, exec VP. Product highlights: "Tarzan: The Epic Adventures," Tarzan sagas with special effects; 22 x 60 min. "Last Train Out," Harvard law school graduate decides to leave his comfortable life to pursue a passion for a career in photofraphy; 90 min. "Frank & Harold," sacrilege of a sacred Indian land disturbing the balance of God and evil will revive the spirit of ancient Indian warriors until justice is avenged; 90 min. "Backlash," two lovers on a quest for kicks experience violence and murder; 90 min. Cinequanon Pictures Intl. 8057 Beverly Blvd., 2nd floor Los Angeles, CA 90048 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 (213) 658-6043 Fax: (213) 658-6087 Stand: G3.06; phone 9299-8325 Attending: Dan Sales, president; Jennifer Peckham, exec VP; Erik Jensen, director of acquisitions & sales; Laura Berwick, manager, domestic distribution. Product highlights: "Dilemma," a death-row inmate's bone marrow is the perfect match for a little girl dying of cancer. "The Treat," two bizarre and pivotal nights in a small town brothel, where the lives of three exotic and beautiful prostitutes are as strange as the men who come to buy love. "Death Valley," the widow of a murdered businessman learns that an obsessed ex-lover and a mad French land developer are trying to have her killed in order to acquire property to build the world's largest casino in Las Vegas. "Boys of Summer," a young sportswriter gets a first-hand look at how Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers integrated baseball during their quest for a Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 World Series championship over the rival New York Yankees. Cinetel Films 8255 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90046 (213) 654-4000 Fax: (213) 650-6400 Stand: 09.24 Attending: Marcy Rubin, senior VP, intl. distribution. Product highlights: "Below Utopia," a young man and his fiancee spend the weekend at his parent's house. When the entire family is murdered they find themselves in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse. "Carnival," a CIA agent in Rio is told that someone on his team will attempt an assassination on the Peruvian president. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Empty Pockets," a young man gets caught up in the world of a criminal and must examine his choices in life. "Bad Behavior," a female cop on a forced vacation falls in love with the key man in the international counterfeiting ring that she has been trying to break up for years. Columbia TriStar Intl. TV 10202 W. Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 (310) 280-8457 Fax: (310) 280-1874 Stand: 5.01 Attending: Michael Grindon, president; Lauren Cole, senior VP, intl. networks; Florent Gaignault, senior VP-general manager, Europe; John McMahon, senior VP, sales planning; William Pfeiffer, senior VP & managing director, Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Asia; Larry Smith, senior VP, worldwide pay TV; Leslie Tobin-Bacon, senior VP & general manager, London; Rachel Wells, senior VP, marketing & sales support; Ludwig Zu Salm, senior VP, intl. programming; Paul Gilbert VP intl. program development/format sales. Product highlights: "Just Shoot Me," an unemployed news writer takes a job at her father's fashion magazine; 7 x 30 min. "Lawless," a former solder and special operative, disillusioned with his former employer under dark circumstances, goes into business for himself ; 6 x 60 min. "Vibe," latenight talk-variety show aimed at the young adult audience; 60 min. "Intensity," after her best friend is murdered, a college student takes it upon herself to go after the killer; 4 hours. Concorde-New Horizon 11600 San Vicente Blvd. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Los Angeles, CA 90049 (310) 820-6733 Fax: (310) 207-6816 Stand: 09.24; phone 9299-8054 Attending: Brian O'Shea, VP worldwide distribution. Product highlights: "Jack London's The Sea Wolf," after being rescued from the sea, a young man must fight for his honor and survival on a ship that is ruled by a brutal captain. "Not of This Earth II: Final Contact," a beautiful alien feeds on the blood of humans in an effort to find a cure for a plague on her own planet. "Black Scorpion: The Series," this superhero is a ruthlesss, dangerous and sensual creature who rules the night. Coral Pictures Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 4380 NW 128th St. Miami, FL 33054 (305) 688-7475 Fax: (305) 685-5697 Stand: 18.1; phone 9299-8129 Attending: Marcel Granier, president-CEO; Antonio Paez, exec VP & general manager; Dan Waite, VP sales, Africa, Asia, Middle East; Guadalupe D'Agostino, VP sales, U.S., Canada, South America; Karina Bruno, VP, marketing & sales, Europe. Product highlights: "Maria de los Angeles," woman finds herself in the midst of a feud over a family fortune and tries to solve the enigma behind the mysterious death of her father. "The Other Side of the Sun," pair who has loved one another through past lives find each other with the possibility of consummating their great love; 80 x 60 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Llovizna," an 18-year-old begins to unearth the terrible secrets from her past when she meets up with her wealthy father and discovers that he was the one who murdered her mother. "Starting Over," devasted by her husband's infidelity after nine years of marriage, woman makes the abrupt decision to leave him; 127 x 60 min. Coscient/Astral Distribution 2100 Ste. Catherine St. West, 10th floor Montreal, Quebec Canada H3H 2T3 (514) 939-5000 Fax: (514) 939-1515 Stand: B.33/C.34 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Attending: Stephen Greenberg, president; Richard Laferriere, president-COO; Jean Poureau, VP, intl. distribution; Heather Wyer, director, intl. distribution; Claude Jolicoeur, VP, legal & business affairs. Product highlights: "Pudding Chomeur," satirical comedy makes a mockery of the happiness-through-faith business practices by preachers and other gurus. "Jerome's Secret," true story of a mute young man with both legs severed who was abandoned in 1863 on a beach in Nova Scotia; 100 min. "Black List," a prostitute stages her own arrest in order to further a blackmail scheme; 86 min. "Innocence," a woman discovers that her husband of 35 years has been cheating on her and she hires a private investigator to uncover the secrets of his past; 4 x 50 min. D DCM Documedia Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Heckenstallerstrasse 22 Freising, Germany 85354 (49) 8161-230005 Fax: (49) 8161-230006 In Cannes: 7 Ave. van Loo; phone 9399-6220 Attending: Aleth De Crecy, managing director, Herbert Koch, director, licensing, Robert Haines, project development manager. DLT Entertainment 31 W. 56th St. New York, NY 10019 (212) 245-4680 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Fax: (212) 315-1132 Stand: EX.D14 Attending: John Fitzgerald, CEO; Donald L. Taffner Jr., VP; Nigel Emery, VP, intl. sales; Paul Fisher, VP, sales & development. Product highlights: "Charles Rennie Mackintosh: A Modern Man," docu traces the life of the internationally renowned Scottish artist and designer described as one of the greatest, most innovative architects of the 20th century; 60 min. "Dame Edna's Work Experience," the Australian superstar nouveau riche housewife tours Britain and reports on the state of the nation; 8 x 30 min. "Power Play," sports reality series about extreme sports; 26 x 30 min. "Talk to the Animals," stories about beloved family pets and endangered species; 51 x 30 min. DOC & Co. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 59 Rue Charlot 75003 Paris, France (33-1) 4277-5687 Fax: (33-1) 4272-6482 Stand: 06.12 Attending: Silvere Moreau, sales manager; Stephanie Roussel, assistant. Product highlights: "Corpus Christi," series exploring the story of Jesus seen historically and through the texts that tell us about his life; 5 x 52 min. "Le Theatre du Soleil," documentary about filmmaker/legit director Arianne Mnouchkine; 3 hours. "Planete CNN," story of the many people who work for the CNN network and how their lives intertwine; 90 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Jazz Collection '97," portraits of some of the jazz greats; 7 x 52 min. Dandelion Distribution 5 Churchill Court 58 Station Road North Harrow Middlesex, HA2 7SA, U.K. (44-181) 863-1888 Fax: (44-181) 863-0463 Stand: Palm 28 Attending: Noel Cronin, managing director; John Clutten, sales director; Simon Wheeler, head of production; Emma Gunnell, sales exec. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Product highlights: "The Leading Edge," series looking at the history of the Royal Air Force; 7 x 60 min. "Tales From Oceania," colorful series exploring the exotic lives, customs and beliefs of the people of the Asian Pacific; 13 x 26 min. "The Legend of the Hidden City --- Series 2," action-adventure series shot on location in South Africa; 13 x 26 min. "The Dark Kingdom," series following the fortunes of three children who are transported back in time by an ancient, magical Zulu spear; 26 x 30 min. Dargaud Films 6 Rue Gager Gabillot 75015 Paris, France (33-1) 4045-3535 Fax: (33-1) 4045-3569 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Stand: G3.26 Attending: Claude de Saint Vincent, managing director; Julie Fox, sales & acquisitions manager. Product highlights: "Tintin, the Forgotten Friends," 8 x 7 min. "Gulliver's Travels," live-action/animated version of the literary classic; 80 min. "Ladybird!," animated shorts featuring the world's most famous works of art and a rather naughty ladybug; 65 x 56 min. "Mary of Nazareth," feature recounting the life of Mary, mother of Jesus; 110 min. HD-Desclez Prods. 3575 Boulevard St. Laurent, Suite 760 Montreal, Quebec Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Canada H2X 2T7 (514) 288-4483 Fax: (514) 288-0907 Stand: 9.09 Attending: Henri Desclez, president; Norma Denys, VP development; Joelle Levie, VP finance. Product highlights: "Little Star," futuristic fantasy series using puppets and 3-D animation; 156 x 14 min & 78 x 26 min. "Turtle Island," tropical island boasts a blue lagoon, a small river shaded by coconut trees, a volcano and pirates; 26 x 33 min. "Mirob," children's series brings poetry to the small screen; 26 x 5 min. "Iris, the Happy Professor," children's series in which the professor reveals the extraordinary behind the ordinary; 156 x 15 min. & 78 x 30 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Devillier Donegan Enterprises 4401 Connecticut Ave., NW Washington, DC 20008 (202) 686-3980 Fax: (202) 686-3999 Stand: C3.59 Attending: Ron Devillier, president-CEO; Brian Donegan, exec VP; Joan Lanigan, VP, legal & business affairs; Linda Ekizian, VP, intl. sales; Greg Diefenbach, director, program development. Product highlights: "Secrets of the Ocean Realm," behaviors of sharks, whales and dolphins; 5 x 60 min or 10 x 30 min. "The Living Edens," natural history filmmakers capture the remote mountains of Madagascar to the pristine reefs of Palua; 20 x 60 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Mysteries of Deep Space," new achievements in modern astronomy; 3 x 60 min. "The Adventurers," compilations of the lives and achievements of historic explorers; 5 x 60 min. Discovery Communications 7700 Wisconsin Ave. Bethesda, MD 20814 (301) 986-1999 Fax: (301) 986-4826 Stand: G3.13 Attending: Greg Moyer, president, chief editorial and creative officer; Joyce Taylor, managing director, Europe; Michela English, president, Discovery Enterprises Worldwide; Johnathan Rodgers, president, Discovery Networks US; Domenick Fioravanti, senior VP, Discovery Networks Intl.; Michael Quattrone, senior VP & general manager, Discovery Channel; Clark Bunting, senior VP & Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 general manager, Animal Planet; John Ford, senior VP & general manager, the Learning Channel; Robert Wise, VP, acquisitions, development & production management, Discovery Networks. Product highlights: "Jerusalem: City of Heaven," history of the sacred city and how modern realities influence the way of life of the people who walk every day amid ancient relics of the world's great faiths; 90 min. "Choppers on Patrol," soar into the New York City skies with helicopter pilots on missions to save live, catch thieves or cover news stories; 120 min. "Oceans," scientific and fun examination of the world's oceans; 50 min. "Invisible Places," travel through underground passageways in Ireland, Poland, Rome and Boston; 3 x 50 min. D'Ocon Films C/Calaf 3 08021 Barcelona, Spain Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 (34-3) 414-3408 Fax: (34-3) 209-7103 Stand: 11.01 Attending: Antoni D'Ocon, president; Jose Salcedo, managing director, D'Ocon Entertainment France; Tony Church, head of intl. affairs; Christopher Pettersson, intl. sales. Product highlights: "Sylvan," series set in the Europe of the middle ages about the adventures of Sylvan, a young rider who has been chosen to defend the interests of good and keep evil at bay. 65 x 26 min. "The Little Witches," the elegant queen of the witches and her helpers spoil the evil plans of the devious Walt Street in his attempts to convert the world to his ideals; 26 x 26 min. "The Herlufs," the adventures of a family of morphable creatures who live in the potted plants in a village flower shop; 26 x 13 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Dad X," series revealing the preparations for Santa Claus' big day; 26 x 26 min. Dolmatch Group PO Box 3298 Saratoga, CA 95070-1298 (408) 399-4690 Fax: (408) 399-4689 Stand: 05.23 Attending: Murray Dolmatch, president; Sandra Dolmatch, VP. Product highlights: "What!" comedy series featuring new talent and cutting-edge skits; 26 x 30 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Seduction of Innocence," adult movie based on a true story; features beautiful women in steamy settings and dramatic action; 90 min. "Dervishes --- Mystics of the East," powerful, unforgettable docu about religious rituals of Moslem Dervishes; 24 min. Dorling Kindersley Vision 62 Chandos Place London, WC2E 8PS, U.K. (44-171) 836-5411 Fax: (44-171) 379-7058 Stand: 22.14/24.11 Attending: Katherine Thompson, managing director; Simon Jollands, creative director; Hilary Downie, Catriona MacGregor, Mary Morton, sales execs. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Product highlights: "Eyewitness Series III," series taking an entertaining and informative approach to popular natural history subjects; 13 x 30 min. "Beasts and Monsters," an exploration into the origins of myth and legends; 13 x 30 min. "Amazing Animals Series II," wildlife series for young children; 13 x 30 min. "PB Bear," PB Bear lives in a fantasy world full of adventures; 6 x 30 min. Dream Entertainment 8489 W. Third St., Suite 1038 Los Angeles, CA 90048 (213) 655-5603 Fax: (213) 655-5501 Stand: 03.14; phone 9299-8191 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Attending: Ehud Bleiberg, chairman-CEO; Yitzhak Ginsberg, president; Yael Yomtov, VP, intl. sales; Gil Dayan, VP, multimedia & interactive. Product highlights: "The Last Hippie," an L.A. gang leader needs help from a reclusive Vietnam hero to prove his innocence in the killing of a police officer. "Time Wizards," a young teenage genius accidentally brings six animated characters to Earth from the past. "Hit and Run," three slackers become gangsters when they accidentally kill the court's prize witness and then try to collect the mob bounty. "Amnesia," a forbidden love between a minister and a school teacher exposes a past murder. E E! Entertainment TV 5670 Wilshire Blvd. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Los Angeles, CA 90036 (213) 954-2727 Fax: (213) 954-2657 Stand: 20.18 Attending: Chris Fager, senior VP, intl. development; Jon Helmrich, VP, intl. development; Sarah Lesch, VP, public relations; Julie Fields, VP, creative services; Karen Kaufman, director, intl. sales; Dan Hoskins, manager, intl. development. Product highlights: "Model," docu series chronicles the personal and professional lives of top fashion models; 26 x 30 min. "The E! True Hollywood Story," real-life dramas taken from the lives of the famous; 12 x 120 min. & 12 x 60 min. "Talk Soup," a humorous look at the best moments from the week's morning, daytime and latenight U.S. talkshows; 52 x 30 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Uncut," in-depth look at the life and career of a major celebrity; 66 x 30 min. ELMA Prods./ELMA Animation 3 Rue de Liege 75009 Paris, France (33-1) 4023-4800 Fax: (33-1) 4082-9128 Stand: G3.16 Attending: Paul Rozenberg, general manager; Dana Hastier, manager, fiction dept.; Brigitte Sabban, series producer; Jean-Paul Boucheny, head of special productions; Enzo Gallo, production manager, documentaries & specials; Serge Rosenzweig, producer, animation. Product highlights: "The Coast Guards," in the tropics, a team of coast guards upholds the law; 4 x 90 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Animals at War," documentary on how and why man has used animals during wars; 52 min. "The Cities of Rock," musical journey through different cities; 10 X 52 min. "Nanook's Great Hunt," as he hunts a legendary bear, Nanook, a young Inuit, gradually becomes a man; 26 x 26 min. EM Entertainment Muenchner Strasse 14 85774 Unterfoehring, Germany (49-89) 95715-0 Fax: (49-89) 95715-111 Stand: 11.26 Attending: Thomas Haffa, president; Florian Haffa, managing director; Rainer Tschierschwitz, head of TV sales & acquisitions; Jonae Kurtenbach, intl. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 licensing. Product highlights: "Tabaluga," animated series about a little green dragon exploring the natural wonders of his exciting world; 26 x 30 min. "Lapitch, the Little Shoemaker," a shoemaker has problems with his cruel master and decides he must go into the world and live by his own rules; 26 x 30 min. & 85 min. feature. "Castillo," animated series featuring a young dragon thirsty for knowledge; 13 x 30 min. "The Mystery of Sagala," story of a young boy who starts a fantastic journey through different times and places in order to find the missing parts of a magic stone named Sagala; 14 x 30 min. ESPN 605 Third Ave. New York, NY 10158 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 (212) 916-9200 Fax: (212) 916 9325 Stand: C1.09 Attending: Steve Bornstein, president-CEO/president, ABC Sports; David Zucker, senior VP/managing director, ESPN Intl.; Mark Reilly, VP, intl. sales; Richard Lefler, Ben Nicholas, directors, intl. sales; Bernard Stewart, VP, programming & productions; Minard Hamilton, VP, programming acquisitions; Richard Stone, VP, intl. sales; Simon Yu, VP & general manager, affiliate sales. Product highlights: "Major League Soccer," U.S. Professional Soccer League. "Brazilian National Soccer '97-'98," Brazilian National Soccer Championship with the best teams for the state leagues. "Latin Futbol Weekly," magazine with the latest news and action from Latin America. "Summer X-Games '97," radical sports championship. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 EVA Entertainment Studio 8, 125 Moore Park Road London, SW6 4PS, U.K. (44-171) 384-1022 Fax: (44-171) 371-5958 Stand: 11.25 Attending: Steve Walsh, Mikael Shields, managing directors; Genevieve Dexter, Chantal Keast, sales managers; Tony Stern, head of business affairs; Fran Barlow, head of marketing. Product highlights: "Flatworld," animated spesh about a road mender who lives in Flatworld, but who has access into Flipside, a parallel toon universe; 26 min. "Pond Life," animated series centered on Dolly Pond, a thoroughly confused heroine for the '90s; 13 x 11 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Lava Lava," an anarchic collection of short films from Federico Vitali; 14 x 3 min. "Romauld the Reindeer," soap about an incompetent reindeer who is rarely allowed by Santa to pull the sleigh; 13 x 10 min. Eaton Films 10 Holbein Mews Lower Sloane Street London, SW1W 8NN, U.K. (44-171) 823-6173 Fax: (44-171) 823-6017 Stand: 08.24 Attending: Judith Bland, director; Liz Cook, director of intl. sales; Patricia Brown, Central Europe & Far East sales manager; Louise Rimoldi, U.K. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 sales manager; Carol Thrupp, Latin American sales manager. Product highlights: "The Last of the Ryans," the true story of the conviction and hanging of Ronald Ryan. "State Coroner," series combining police, medical and courtroom drama; 13 x 60 min & 2-hour TV movie. "Global Bears Rescue," the adventures of a group of highly trained and specialized bears that have joined forces to help anywhere in the world where there is a crisis; 13 x 30 min. "Seven Little Mice," animated series about the mouse family living in the surroundings of nature; 9 x 10 min & 3 x 30 min. Ellipse Programme 42 Rue Emeriau 75015 Paris, France Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 (33-1) 4392-5800 Fax: (33-1) 4392-5801 Stand: G3.16 Attending: Robert Rea, exec VP, children's & family programs; Stephane Bernasconi, director, Ellipse Animation; Sophie Glaas, producer; Philippe Bedfert, production director; Laurence Bachman, exec VP, drama programs; Antoine Perset, Cecile Roger-Machart; producers, Ellipse Fiction; Alain Tortevoix, associate producer, Ellipse Fiction; Jean-Louis Saporito, managing director, PDJ Production; Adrienne Frejacques, head of sales & development, PDJ Production; Jean-Jacques Pasquier, director, Ellipse Jeux & Magazines; Anne Gastou, general manager, Ellipse Licence; Deborah Shaw, managing director, Ellipse Licence Germany; Yves Fleury, director of intl. co-productions; Sylvain Pascaud, producer; Raechel Crossen, director, business affairs; Franck Arguillere, producer, ELIMCA. Product highlights: "Blake & Mortimer," series capturing the magic of a world where our heroes are fighting against gothic horror with the help of a science that's not always under control; 26 x 24 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Fennec," non-violent detective series for children; 52 x 13 min. "Trouble With Sophie," series based on the famous novels by the Countess de Segur; 26 x 24 min. "Laos, the Opium Heights," documentary on poppy-growing in the Laos Mountains; 52 min. Ellis Enterprises 1231 Yonge St., Suite 201 Toronto, Ontario Canada M4T 2T8 (416) 924-2186 Fax: (416) 924-6115 Stand: 13.20-15019; phone 9299-8093 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Attending: Stephen Ellis, president; Douglas Smith, sales exec; Kip Spidell, development manager; Bailey Belman, sales coordinator. Product highlights: "Bullbustin'," action-packed series featuring top bull riders; 8 x 25 min. "Gator!" a canoe in the Florida Everglades provides the vantage point from which to study the American crocodile in its environment; 50 min. "The Wild Pacific Northwest," extensive sea kayak expedition from the pristine shoreline of Washington State north to the Queen Charlotte Islands; 50 min. "The Last Jungles in Africa," Kihale and Bwindi National Parks in Uganda have become two of the last refuges of Africa's rapidly disappearing wilderness; 50 min. Emerald Entertainment 2001 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 505 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Santa Monica, CA 90403 (310) 828-2359 Fax: (310) 821-0613 Stand: 02.22 Attending: Robin Baker, president of worldwide sales; Veronica Pepe, acquisitions & sales. Product highlights: "Animals Uncensored," everyday experiences of animal life through a comedic narration describing wildlife interactions; 26 x 30 min. "Creative Genius Series: Storytelling in Hollywood," a contemporary look at 22 creative geniuses of the 20th century; 22 x 60 min. Endemol Entertainment Intl. Bonairelaan 4 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 1213 VH Hilversum The Netherlands (31-35) 539-9999 Fax: (31-35) 539-9980 Stand: H4.32 Attending: Pim Van Collem, president; Matthew Ody, exec VP, intl. sales; Jan-Michiel de Pont, Annette Wichmann, sales. Product highlights: "Medical Center West," Holland's most popular hospital drama; 100 x 50 min. "DeKok," detective series set in Amsterdam; 26 x 40 min. "Now or Never," entertainment show in which people face incredible challenges; 60 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "All You Need Is Love," program aims to reunite people in love and friendship worldwide; 60 min. Energee Entertainment 23 Cleg St. Artarmon NSW 2065, Australia (61-2) 9906-6800 Fax: (6-12) 9906-5785 Stand: EX.A26 Attending: John Travers, managing director; Gerry Travers, head of acquisitions & development; Katie Cordes, distribution manager. Product highlights: "Crocadoo," a tropical paradise where tacky tourism meets a crop of crazy crocodiles; 52 x 24 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "The Digswell Dog Show," living in suburbia with his owner Daisy, Digswell often gets the urge to submerge, digging to a new adventure daily; 13 x 24 min. "Scrooge Koala's Christmas," a lost reindeer brings the magic of Christmas to the Outback; 30 min. "Fables From the Far East," stories and fable with simple, honest messages from the Orient; 26 x 12 min. Enoki Films USA 16501 Ventura Blvd., Suite 306 Encino, CA 91436 (818) 907-6503 Fax: (818) 907-6506 Stand: 13.26 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Attending: Yoshi Enoki, president; Zen Enoki, chairman; Ricki Ames, VP, worldwide distribution; Susan McMurray, VP, worldwide licensing. EuroArts Intl. Teckstrasse 64 D-70190 Stuttgart, Germany (49-711) 268-7646 Fax: (49-711) 268-7676 Stand: 18.22-20.17 Attending: Bernd Hallthaler, managing director; Hagen Bossert, general manager, distribution; Nadja Goriup, senior manager, intl. sales; Nishrin Abdoollader, Sandrin Laffont, managers, intl. sales. Product highlights: "Rock on Tour," enter the glamorous world of the hottest music of our time; 26 x 60 min or 5 x 5-hour specials. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Europa Konzert 1997," the Berliner Philharmoniker remembers the anniversary of its founding by performing in a different European city each year; 120 min. "Waldbuhne 1997 --- St. Petersburg Night," program on one of the most appealing outdoor amphitheaters in Europe; 90 min. "Blue Note --- A History of Modern Jazz," story of the early recordings of jazz music; 2 x 60 min. Eurocoral TV Villanueva 21 1o dcha 28001 Madrid, Spain (34-1) 435-0905 Fax: (34-1) 435-0827 Stand: 18.01 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Attending: Marcel Granier, president-CEO; Karina Bruno, VP marketing & sales; Tania Smith, sales dept. coordinator; Bernardo Granier, acquisitions consultant. Product highlights: "Unforgettable," an intriguing story of romance set in Venezuela in the '30s; 120 x 60 min. "Llovizna," a beautiful girl's destiny is ruled by past sins and lies. "Maria de Los Angeles," two children's secret romance will become, over the years, the most turbulent and vindictive relationship that two humans can bear. "Expedition," documentary series featuring Latin America's most exotic locations, wild life and cultures. Europe Films 58 Avenue de Wagram 75017 Paris, France Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 (33-1) 4440-2277 Fax: (33-1) 4053-8359 Stand: H4.02 Attending: Michel Weill. Product highlights: Biographies on Frank Capra, Gary Cooper, Clark Gable, James Stewart, Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth, James Dean, Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift. Europool Herzog-Wilhelm-Strasse 16 80331 Munich, Germany (49-89) 558760 Fax: (49-89) 554120 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Stand: 19.02-21.01 Attending: Horst Vetter, Dr. Horst Schering, managing directors; Marc Gabizon, head of intl. co-productions. Expand Images 89 Rue Escudier 92107 Boulogne Cedex, France (33-1) 4712-4090 Fax: (33-1) 4712-4094 Stand: C1.01 Attending: Denis Mermet, director of intl.; Jean-Luc Deloire, Kirsten Calteau, intl. Product highlights: "Nature's Inventions," docu series exploring the fascinating world where reality is truly stranger than fiction and where Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 nature ingenuity dwarfs man's own; 26 x 26 min. "Fort Boyard," adventure gameshow in which contestants try to reach the treasure room of a fort situated in the open sea. "One for All," gameshow in which contestants compete for a cash prize with the help of a champion from the world of sport. "The Minichums," children's tales told by popular puppet characters. Explore Intl. 7 Stratton St. London, W1X 5FD, U.K. (44-171) 493-4495 Fax: (44-171) 493-5055 Stand: G3.16 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Attending: Helen Grattan, managing director; Alastair White, director of sales; Jennifer Buzzelli, sales exec; Paola Cunsolo, Italian consultant; Joanna Rowley, Nada Cirjanic, sales assistants. Product highlights: "Hong Kong; Countdown to July 1," documentary providing an insider's view of the events leading up to the ceremonial handover of Hong Kong from the British to the Chinese government; 52 min. "National Geographic TV's Dinosaur Hunters," a National Geographic film crew uncovers the secrets of the Gobi; 52 min. "Wild!Life Adventures II," a second series on daring adventures, courageous explorations and the unique wildlife that inhabits planet earth; 13 x 52 min. "Force of the Wild," series exploring the essential components of a living, breathing planet --- earth, water, air and fire; 4 x 52 min. Export Union Tuerkenstrasse 93 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 D-80799 Munich, Germany (49-89) 390095 Fax: (49-89) 395223 Stand: 01.15 Attending: Christian Dorsch, managing director. F F for Film 16 Rue de L'Ancienne Forge 27 120 Fontaine sous/Jouy, France (33-2) 3226-2539 Fax: (33-2) 3236-8649 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Stand: H4.35 Attending: Margarita Seguy, head of sales & acquisitions; Paul Belle, head of development; Christine Ferial, assistant. Product highlights: "Sylvie's Words," docu recounting the last year of a young woman dying of AIDS; 52 min. "Home to Tibet," docu concerning a man's return to his homeland and his meeting with the Dalai Lama; 52 min. "Hunted by Mussolini, Erased by Stalin," documentary about a group of people who were forced into exile from Italy and expelled from many countries, until they finally arrived in the Soviet Union; 53 min. "Scheherazade," the legend of the Thousand and One Nights; 16 min. Filmoption Intl. 3401 St. Antoine Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Westmount, Quebec Canada H3Z 1X1 (514) 931-6180 Fax: (514) 939-2034 Stand: 10.35 Attending: Maryse Rouillard, president; Lizanne Rouillard, VP; Nathalie D'Souza, director, intl. sales; Muriel Rosilio, senior exec, sales & co-production; Paul Dadieux, producer; Isabelle Marin, co-production & development. Product highlights: "Earthwatch," follow volunteers as they travel to remote and exotic locations to help scientists with research on environmental-based projects; 13 x 55 min. "A Century of Hot Licks," some of the world's greatest guitar players and why they chose to play a Gibson guitar; 60 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Great Canadian Parks," visit the wilds of Canada's most incredible parks; 26 x 26 min. "Tradewinds," international business magazine; 12 x 30 min. Film Roman 12020 Chandler Blvd., Suite 200 North Hollywood, CA 91607 (818) 761-2544 Fax: (818) 985-2973 In Cannes: Royal Casino Attending: Phil Roman, president-CEO; Regis Brown, director, intl. distribution; Neil Court, consultant. Product highlights: "C-Bear & Jamal," a hip-hop teddy bear comes to life for a 10-year-old African-American boy; 13 x 22 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Bruno the Kid," young computer whiz lets his cyber-alter ego roam the world of international espionage, starring the voice of Bruce Willis; 36 x 22 min. "Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm," animated series following a group of chosen warriors that form the Outer World Investigation Agency; 13 x 22 min. First Floor Features Bolderweg 22 1332 AV Almere, The Netherlands (31-36) 532-7003 Fax: (31-36) 532-7940 Stand: H4.35-L5.02 Attending: Tom de Mol, managing director; Volkert Struyken, exec VP; Mirelle van Rijbroek, sales exec. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Product highlights: "Long Live the Queen," a girl's dreams come to life when her imagination transports her into the palace of a fairy-tale queen; 115 min./6 x 25 min. "Flodder TV," the Flodder family moves into a fashionable residential area and soon disrupts the carefully manicured suburban bliss; 36 x 25 min. "Westside Posse," series centered on seven young people living in a typical blue-collar district in a port city; 26 x 25 min. "Character," story of a detective's investigation into the murder of a bailiff. Forefront Entertainment Group 700-402 W. Pender St. Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6B 1T6 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 (604) 682-7910 Fax: (604) 682-8583 Stand: 00.01 Attending: Helena Cynamon, principal & producer; Mickey Rogers, head of releasing & principal. Product highlights: "Madison," high school teens confront growing up in the '90s; 52 x 24 min. "The Adventures of Shirley Holmes," gifted 12-year-old seeks adventure to live up to the legacy of her great-great-uncle, Sherlock Holmes; 13 x 25 min. "Girl Talk," up-front view of attitudes and lifestyles of boys and girls in their teens; 44 x 30 min. "The Perfect Man," romantic comedy about relationships, art and following dreams; 90 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Forefront Films 507 17th St. Brooklyn, NY 11215 (718) 832-3395 Fax: (718) 832-4951 Stand: E.305; phone 9299-8513 Attending: Harold Warren, president; Megan O'Neill, VP sales. Product highlights: "Urban Legends," based on actual modern legends woven together into a continuing storyline revolving around the Twist of Fate pub and its patrons; 26 min. "Night Flyers," U.S. women pilots ferry fighters to and from areas behind Allied lines; 15 min. promo. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Chop Suey!," series of short films from the chopsocky films of Hong Kong and Taiwan; 21 x 3 min. "Death in El Valle," filmmaker returns to Spain where her grandfather was murdered by the Loyalist forces in the 1930s; 50 min. Fox Lorber Associates 419 Park Ave. South New York, NY 10016 (212) 686-6777 Fax: (212) 685-2625 Stand: 03.24-05.23; phone 9299-8206 Attending: Richard Lorber, president-CEO; Sheri Levine, exec VP & managing director, worldwide program sales; Krysanne Katsoolis, VP acquisitions; Kerry Novick, director, intl. sales & co-prods; Cynthia Banach, VP, worldwide operations; Ed Galton, director, intl. sales; Richard De Croce, director, Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 programming sales & acquisitions; Amber Richmond, manager, intl. sales. Product highlights: "The Soccer Explosion," profiles of soccer's superstars, distinguished coaches, dedicated fans and the big money being poured into the sport; 10 x 30 min. "Quest," docu series travels around the world to shed light on the meanings behind the sacred rituals, books, icons and sites of a particular belief system; 10 x 60 min. "Caught on Camera," eyewitness footage of the most shocking catastrophes, heroic rescues and perilous events known to man; 6 x 60 min. "Schizopolis," a satire on late-20th-century anxiety in the shape of cult-like organizations; 96 min. France Animation 51/63 Rue Gaston Lauriau 93100 Montreuil, France Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 (33-1) 4878-4444 Fax: (33-1) 4858-3647 Stand: 01.08 Attending: Olivier Tcherniak, chairman; Marie-Christine Grollemund, CEO; Christophe Izard, artistic director; Jean Gaillard, director of operations; Clement Valvet, business affairs. Product highlights: "Patrol 3," animated series featuring wacky toon cops whose job it is to save the city from the monsters created by the wicked Professor Mole; 26 x 26 min. "The Babaloos on Vacation," the Babaloos join Kevin and his parents as they go on holiday in their mobile home; 65 x 5 min. France TV Distribution 1 Boulevard Victor Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 75015 Paris, France (33-1) 4425-0101 Fax: (33-1) 4425-0107 Stand: 14.02 Attending: Marc Bonduel, general manager; Herve Poirson, program sales manager; Jacqueline Le Corre, sales manager, French-speaking territories; Cyril Lolliver, manager, news & current affairs; Katina Matsis, sales exec, news & current affairs. Product highlights: "The Woman in White," series about a young surgeon making her way in the competitive medical profession; 6 x 90 min or 12 x 45 min. "The Aruzza Years," docu on famous Mexican bullfighter Carlos Aruzza; 52 min. "Atomic Park," documentary on the American military's testing of a nuclear bomb on Bikini Atoll in the South Pacific in 1946; 52 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "India of Gods and Men," explore India through its three main religious groups: Sikhs, Buddhists and Hindus; 3 x 55 min. Sandy Frank Entertainment 954 Lexington Ave., Suite 255 New York, NY 10021 (212) 772-1889 Fax: (212) 772-2297 Stand: 09.12; phone 9299-8209 Attending: Sandy Frank, chairman; Phil Oldham, exec VP; Barbara Kalicinska, Mary Byrne, European sales reps. Product highlights: "You Asked For It," light entertainment; 1200 x 3-5 min. "Face the Music,"' musical gameshow; 30 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Name That Tune," musical gameshow; 30 min. Fremantle Corp. 660 Madison Ave. New York, NY 10021 (212) 421-4530 Fax: (212) 207-8357 Stand: 05.19 Attending: Paul Talbot, president; Josh Braun, senior VP; Julie Zulueta-Corbo, VP, intl. sales & homevideo; Dianbo Xie, VP, China sales; Randy Zalken, VP, sales & acquisitions (Canada); Anthony Gruner, chairman (U.K.); Richard Becker, managing director (Australia). Product highlights: "3rd Rock From the Sun," extraterrestrials assume human form to build a family unit and observe Earth life; 44 x 30 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Grace Under Fire," divorced mom raises three kids and works at an oil refinery; 123 x 30 min. "Baywatch" (series I-VII), dedicated group of lifeguards battles seaside hazards; 177 x 60 min. "Little Orphan Annie and the Funtastic Orfun Force," animated, updated Annie discovers gold tickets detailing a journey to a place that could only exist in our imagination; 26 x 30 min. Full Moon Intl. 3030 Andrita St. Los Angeles, CA 90065 (213) 341-5959 Fax: (213) 341-5960 Stand: Palm 25; phone 9299-3045 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Attending: Charles Band, president; Eric Taub, intl. sales agent. Product highlights: "Filmonsters," classic monster tales recreated with a youthful point of view; 13 x 60 min. "Forbidden Worlds," collection of science-fiction feature films; 10 x 90 min. "Hideous," an eccentric collector of biological oddities acquires his greatest specimen, a horrible mutant born of toxic sewage; 90 min. "The Vampire Journals," a vampire hunter's eternal pursuit of the deadliest beast of them all; 90 min. Futura Film Rambergstr. 5 80799 Munich, Germany (49-89) 3817-0030 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Fax: (49-89) 3817-0020 Stand: 01.15 Attending: Antonio Exacoustos Jr., head of world sales. Product highlights: "My Heart Is Mine Alone," love story involving a Jewish woman and a Nazi in World War II; 90 min. "The Little Punk," animated adventures of a little punk and his friends in the city-jungle of Berlin; 82 min. Futurikon 13 Rue Alphonse de Neuville 75017 Paris, France (33-1) 4401-2270 Fax: (33-1) 4380-3541 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Stand: H4.35 Attending: Philippe Delarue, exec producer. G GRB Entertainment 12001 Ventura Place, Suite 600 Studio City, CA 91604 (818) 753-3400 Fax: (818) 753-3401 Stand: EX.C43/EX.D42; phone 9299-8840 Attending: Gary R. Benz, president; Kim Relick, VP intl. distribution & business development; Paula Hawes, director, intl. sales; Ute Cichocki, intl. sales coordinator; Reed Shelly director of development; Debby Levin, production exec; Todd Barasch, marketing manager. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Product highlights: "M3: Mega Movie Magic," fast-paced series that takes kids into the world of Hollywood special effects and demonstrates how their favorite characters and big movie scenes are created; 13 x 30 min. Martin Gates Prods. 29a Wimpole St. London, W1M 8LE, U.K. (44-171) 580-8440 Fax: (44-171) 580-9110 Stand: 05.29 Attending: Martin Gates, Tom Parkhouse, Rob Dunbar, Emma Macgregor. Product highlights: "Bimble's Bucket --- Series II & III," series centered on the place where all the fairy tales in the world begin; 26 x 10 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "The Ugly Duckling," animated family feature based on the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairytale; 75 min. "The Snow Queen's Revenge," animated feature following Ellie and Peeps' adventure to rescue Dimly from the Snow Queen's palace in the South Pole; 65 min. "Jack and the Beanstalk," animated family feature based on the traditional fairytale; 76 min. Gaumont 30 Avenue Charles de Gaulle 92200 Neuilly, France (33-1) 4643-2134 Fax: (33-1) 4643-2033 Stand: 25.02 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Attending: Mickie Steinmann, Thomas Kornfeld, intl. sales. Product highlights: "Home to Rent," five monsters from a distant galaxy crash-land on Earth and hide in the attic of an empty house, but the house is for rent; 26 x 30 min. "The Magician," a magician travels across the land presenting his famous stage show and uses his powers of illusion to fight off the evil he encounters along the way; 26 x 30 min. "Jason and the Argonauts," action-adventure series set on the high seas; 22 x 60 min. "Off Limits," miniseries concerning the French Secret Service who travel abroad to train, advise and assist local policemen and armed forces in their struggle against international terrorism. Gestmusic Endemol Serrano 32 --- 2oE Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 28001 Madrid, Spain (34-1) 576-0645 Fax: (34-1) 576-3280 Stand: H4.32 Attending: Toni Cruz, Josep Maria Mainat, general managers; Joan Ramon Mainat, creative director; Isabel Raventos, director of intl. development; Jaume Santacana, director of drama; Belen Muniz, intl. division. Product highlights: "Parodia Nacional," light entertainment show. "Sonrisas de Espana," light entertainment show. "Menudas Estrellas," light entertainment show. "Moros y Cristianos," talkshow. William Gilbert Associates Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 16 Brook Mews North London, W2 3BW, U.K. (44-171) 258-3620 Fax: (44-171) 723-5100 Stand: 14.15 Attending: William G. Gilbert, managing director; Monique Gilbert, company secretary; W. Leigh Gilbert, production controller. Product highlights: "Mephisto's Web," animated feature about the supreme villain of our time, who has a plan to control all the rare animals on the planet; 96 min. "The Dinky Di's," animated series featuring an international, high-tech rescue organization dedicated to protecting endangered species around the world; 26 x 30 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Plus 24 features. Global Telemedia 1 Dock St., Suite 102 Stamford, CT 06902 (203) 425-2136 Fax: (203) 425-2140 Stand: 13.30 Attending: Greg Kimmelman, president-CEO. Product highlights: "The Ultimate Extreme Sports Series," spectacular, dangerous and competitive sports; 4 x 30 min.; 8 x 58 min. "The New Children's Series," series conveys messages of individuality with cultural diversity and an emphasis on physical expression through original music and dance; 8 x 30 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "UFOs and Paranormal Phenomena," international series examines the existence and influence of new information on paranormal behavior; 5 x 60 min. "Womanwatch," profiles of women with unusual jobs; 48 x 30 min. Global TV Services 167 Wardour St. London, W1V 3TA, U.K. (44-171) 468-3434 Fax: (44-171) 468-3469 Stand: 02.02 Attending: Tim Buxton, managing director; Gary Mitchell, sales director; Jane Baker, sales manager; Matt Creasey, sales exec; Annie Protheroe, management exec. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Product highlights: "Hunt for the CM24," drama set in the world of genetic engineering involving a young research scientist who discovers a drug that may one day cure cancer; 92 min. feature. "Joe Razz," teenage hero travels through time to save the world from the clutches of evil superbeings from another dimension; 13 x 11 min. "Frighteners," series explores paranormal phenomena; 5 x 30 min. "Little White Lies," the wife of an aspiring politician is caught up in a deadly web of scandal, blackmail and deception; 93-min. feature. Globo Intl. (London) 29 Princes St. London, W1R 8QL, U.K. (44-171) 409-1712 Fax: (44-171) 491-3167 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Stand: 13.13 Attending: Roberto Filippelli, director for Europe & Asia; Vincent Menendez, sales manager; Laetitia Floquet, representative, France & Eastern Europe. Product highlights: "The King of the Cattle," in the struggle for land, a vicious feud erupts between two men, who commit their families to a war without a truce; 130 x 60 min. "Gym & Tonic," soap set in a sports club, where youngsters discuss their dreams, relationships and problems; 150 x 30 min. "Tabloid Stories," series on the emotions, hopes and insecurities that surround all human relationships; 36 x 15 min. "A Comedy of Private Lives," series of self-contained TV movies on the funny side of marriage; 13 x 60 min. Goldcrest Films Intl. 65-66 Dean St. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 London, W1V 6PL, U.K. (44-171) 437-8696 Fax: (44-171) 437-4448 Stand: 09.30 Attending: Stephen Johnston, president, Los Angeles office; Alison Trumpy, VP/head of library & TV sales intl.; Steve Turney, sales manager; Claudette Collins, VP, theatrical sales; Natasha Fowler, sales. Product highlights: "Annabelle's Wish," drama based on the farm legend that Santa gives voices to animals at Christmas. "Driftwood," erotic psychological thriller, set in the wilds of the Irish countryside, about a fatal obsessive relationship with strong sexual overtones. "Space Truckers," two space truckers traveling to Earth defend the planet from biomechanical warriors. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "No Way Home," an ex-con's relationship with his brother is tested as he is drawn back into the criminal world. Samuel Goldwyn Co. See Metromedia Entertainment Group GoodTimes Entertainment 16 E. 40th St. New York, NY 10016 (212) 951-3000 Fax: (212) 679-6857 In Cannes: Carlton Hotel, Imperial Suite; phone 9306-4706 Attending: Andy Greenberg, president; Seth Willenson, VP; Catherine Branscome, VP, intl. distribution. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Product highlights: "The Greatest Heroes and Legends of the Bible," contemporary interpretations of classic Bible stories; 13 x 60 min. "Animated Classics," classic stories updated with humor, songs and talking animal characters; 38 x 60 min. "Camelot," legend of Guinevere, Lancelot, Merlin and King Arthur. H Alfred Haber Distribution 321 Commercial Ave. Palisades Park, NJ 07650 (201) 224-8000 Fax: (201) 947-4500 Stand: 02.05 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Attending: Alfred Haber, president; Robert Kennedy, exec VP; Rachel Nathan, VP operations; Ted Bookstaver, director, intl. sales; Andrew Haber, manager, intl. sales; Adam Haber, intl. sales. Product highlights: "The Victory Garden," gardening advice show; 156 x 30 min. "Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures," adventures into the multidimensional world of animals; 97 x 30 min. "The World's Scariest Police Chases," the most harrowing car chases ever caught on tape; 60 min. "The World's Deadliest Volcanoes!," special explores the uncontrollable fury of volcanoes and man's attempts to understand and predict the natural disasters; 60 min. Hallmark Entertainment 1325 Ave. of the Americas, 21st floor Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 New York, NY 10019 (212) 977-9001 Fax: (212) 977-7404 Stand: 20.02 Attending: Robert Halmi Jr., president-CEO; Peter von Gal, exec VP & chief operating officer; Joel Denton, senior VP, managing director, intl. sales; Erik Pack, Bonnie Low, VPs, intl. sales; K.C. Schulberg, senior VP, worldwide marketing; George Stein, president-CEO, Hallmark Entertainment Network; Martha Strauss, senior VP, acquisitions, Hallmark Entertainment Network; Richard Buchanan, senior VP, creative services, Hallmark Entertainment Network; Steve Beeks, exec VP, Hallmark Home Entertainment. Product highlights: "The Odyssey," Odysseus outwits colossal captors and other worldly temptresses; 4 hours. "True Women," miniseries follows the fortunes of two young girls, best friends, separated at an early age whom fate and their contrasting natures lead along very different paths; 4 hours. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Moby Dick," a sea captain's obsessive hunt for the great white whale brings a cataclysmic end to himself and his crew; 4 hours. "Stanley and Livingstone," legendary expedition of Stanley into central Africa to find Dr. David Livingstone that was commissioned by the New York Herald newspaper in 1871; 120 min. Hamdon Entertainment 12711 Ventura Blvd., Suite 300 Studio City, CA 91604 (818) 753-6363 Fax: (818) 753-6388 Stand: EX.D27 Attending: Stephen J. Davis, CEO; Gary Goldberger, senior VP, acquisitions & business affairs; Michael J. Appleby, VP, worldwide sales; Kimberly Burke, manager, contract administration. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Product highlights: "The Disappearing Act," true story of an abusive woman who kills her boyfriend and the dogged efforts by the victim's mother to locate her son and bring his murderer to justice; 120 min. "Murder in a College Town," true story about an innocent young man who goes to college, gets caught up in the get-rich-quick ambitions of an amoral friend and an older woman and pays the ultimate price for it; 120 min. Harmony Gold 7655 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90046 (213) 851-4900 Fax: (213) 851-5599 Stand: 8.20, 10.21; phone 9299-8187 Attending: Frank Agrama, chairman-CEO; Colleen Morris, president, intl. TV; Alan Letz, VP sales; Joanne Hoffman, director, legal affairs. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Product highlights: "Railrunners," live-action saga depicts the exploits of a band of freedom fighters and their battle against tyranny; 22 x 60 min. Hearst Entertainment 235 E. 45th St. New York, NY 10017 (212) 455-4000 Fax: (212) 983-6379 Stand: 05.11 Attending: Bruce L. Paisner, president; William E. Miller, president, entertainment distribution & animation productions; Tom Devlin, senior VP, intl. sales; Michael Doury, VP, intl. sales; Jerry Diaz, director, intl. sales, Latin America; Rick Karo, exec VP, general manager, animation productions; Stacey Valenza, senior VP, marketing services; Bill Jemas, senior VP, entertainment licensing. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Product highlights: "Prison of Secrets," a middle-class wife and mother, serving time for a white-collar crime, uncovers a prostitution ring run by the prison guards. "When the Cradle Falls," a young couple's worst nightmare comes true when their baby is kidnapped by a professional ring of black-market baby brokers. "High Stakes: The Melanie Morgan Story," a family-in-crisis drama involving a wife and mother who becomes a gambling addict and must fight her way to recovery before she destroys herself and her family. "Two Small Voices," two women expose a large pharmaceutical company's disregard for the health and safety of 2.5 million women who have received breast implants. Henninger Media Development 2601-A Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22201 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 (703) 243-3444 Fax: (703) 243-4023 Stand: 3.24-5.23 (with Fox Lorber) Attending: Steven J. Schupak, general manager. Product highlights: "Secrets of the Warrior's Power," the history and unbelievable aspects of the martial arts from the Far East to Hollywood; 3 x 60 min. "In the Grip of Evil," the real story behind "The Exorcist" and a look at exorcism today; 60 min. "The Invisible War," action-packed history of electronic warfare from WWII to Star Wars; 5 x 60 min. "The Story of 'Top Gun'," special explores the true story behind the Hollywood blockbuster; 60 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Highpoint Films & TV 25 Elizabeth Mews London, NW3 4UH, U.K. (44-171) 586-3686 Fax: (44-171) 586-3117 Stand: 02.49 Attending: Carey Fitzgerald, managing director; Ronald de Neef, director; Julie Murphy, head of TV sales; Sital Maria, sales exec. Product highlights: "Canary Wharf," soap centered on the tangled lives and loves of a young production team working on a celebrity TV show; 186 x 30 min. "Deadly Fortune," series involving a fight for power between two families trading in Africa; 26 x 60 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "An Australian Odyssey," series presented by Oz Clarke that travels across Australia and its vineyards; 4 x 30 min. "O.J. Simpson: Beating the Rap," the true account of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman; 60-min. docu. Hit Entertainment The Pump House 13-16 Jacobs Well Mews London, W1H 5PD, U.K. (44-171) 224-1717 Fax: (44-171) 224-1719 Stand: 02.17 Attending: Peter Orton, managing director; Charlie Caminada, sales director; Henrietta Hurford-Jones, head of sales; Dorian Langdon, exec VP, Hit-U.S. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Product highlights: "The Mighty Hercules," Hercules and his friends bring justice and order to ancient Greece; 13 x 30 min. "Percy the Park Keeper," animated adventures of Percy the Park Keeper and his animal friends; 4 x 30 min. "Worlds Apart --- Series 2," natural history series emphasizing the opulence and variety of our fascinating planet; 13 x 30 min. "Postman Pat --- Series 2," pre-school animation featuring everyone's favorite postman and his adventures in Greendale; 13 x 15 min. Thomas Horton & Associates 2020 Alameda Padra Serra, Suite 223 Santa Barbara, CA 93103 (805) 963-3577 Fax: (805) 963-3157 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Stand: 02.18; phone 9299-8314 Attending: Thomas F. Horton, president; Jean Horton Garner, VP; Kevin L. Rose, director, legal & business affairs. Product highlights: "The Shark Files," unlock the mysteries and explore the facts about sharks; 17 x 60 min. "Rogues Gallery," the stormy lives of the most notorious criminals of the 20th century; 5 x 60 min. "Hunt for Amazing Treasures," discover fantastic treasures hidden around the world; 13 x 30 min. "Comedy Club Superstars," round-table discussion about the early careers with some of today's big comedians; 60 min. I IDTV Intl. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Sarphatikade 12 1017 WV Amsterdam The Netherlands (31-20) 6270726 Fax: (31-20) 6221205 Stand: 17.15 Attending: Harry de Winter, CEO; Jessica Haagmans, director, finance & organization; Maarten Noyons, manager, sales & acquisitions. Product highlights: "24-Hour City Race," 24-hour endurance and skill-testing gameshow; 50 min. "Birds of Paradise," documentary about people with the courage to be different; 25 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Taxi," light entertainment show; 50 min. "Lingo," gameshow; 25 min. IFM Film Associates 1541 N. Gardner St. Los Angeles, CA 90046 (213) 874-1607 Fax: (213) 874-2654 Stand: 09.24 Attending: Antony I. Ginnane, president; Ann Lyons, exec VP. Product highlights: "Dead Innocent," top woman attorney is terrorized by a former client; 93 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Insomnia," a sex historian and mother of two is an insomniac; 89 min. "Timeless," a small-time criminal and his girlfriend try to leave New York for a better life; 90 min. "Point of No Return," special forces veteran breaks out of jail to avenge his brother's death; 90 min. IMC Intl. Godalming Business Centre Woolsack Way Godalming GU7 1XW, U.K. (44-1483) 427366 Fax: (44-1483) 419205 Stand: EXA.32 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Attending: Ken Gray, programming & marketing director; Steve Hogan, intl. sales manager; Michelle Chillingworth, sales exec. Product highlights: "A Little Night Music," musical concerning the lives of a troupe of actors and actresses, engaged in playing their parts all around the country; 121 min. "Sexual Breakthroughs," "fly on the wall" docu following couples on a weekend retreat for the broad-minded; 52 min. "The Christmas Story," children's animation program retelling the story of Christmas; 27 min. "Diane Youdale's Dance Aerobics," former "International Gladiator" Diane Youdale provides a fun and effective fitness regime; 55 min. ITEL 48 Leicester Square London, WC2H 7FB, U.K. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 (44-171) 491-1441 Fax: (44-171) 389-8745 Stand: EX.B50 Attending: Andrew Macbean, CEO; Chris Fletcher, head of sales, London; Joe Kennedy, VP, North American sales & programming; Peter Pas, VP, sales & programming. Product highlights: "Fire From the Sky," scientists from NASA and other experts explore the nature of comets and collisions and how they could affect our very existence on Earth; 60 min. "Soul Music and Wyrd Sisters," series based on two books from writer Terry Pratchett; 13 x 30 min. "The Vanishing Man," thriller in which a man takes part in a medical research experiment and then finds he can become invisible; 92 min. "Wild Islands," series on the origin of tropical islands, their colonization by plants and animals and the evolution of unique ecosystems; 3 x 60 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Icon Entertainment Intl. 37 Soho Square London, W1V 5DG, U.K. (44-171) 543-4300 Fax: (44-171) 543-4301 Stand: 01.12 Attending: Ralph Kamp, CEO; Jamie Carmichael, head of sales; Joshua Andrews, Simon Crowe, sales execs; Isabelle Lherondel, sales assistant. Product highlights: "Shadow Run," two men want to steal 100 million pounds in 20 minutes and all they have to fear is each other. Features from the libraries of Icon and Majestic. Ideale Audience Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 6 Rue de L'Argent Bailly 75009 Paris, France (33-1) 4970-0810 Fax: (33-1) 4970-0811 Stand: 06.12 Attending: Susanna Scott, intl. sales & co-productions; Anne Rousselet, sales exec Product highlights: "La Comedie Francaise Ou L'Amour Joue," a behind-the-scenes look at the Comedie Francaise showing how its 400-strong staff makes this great theater function; 223 min. feature. "Death and the Maiden --- The Alban Berg Quartet," on their 25th anniversary, the famous foursome perform the most well known of all works ever written for string quartets; 58 min. feature. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Amsterdam Global Village," documentary filmmaker, Johan van der Keuken, portrays his home town of Amsterdam and the people who live there; 245 min. "Madame Butterfly," adaptation of Puccini's opera by Frederic Mitterrand; 130 min. Igelfilm Friedensallee 7-9 22765 Hamburg, Germany (49-40) 390-8765 Fax: (49-40) 390-3607 Stand: 14.20 Attending: Christian Lehmann, managing director; Claudia Peterson, director of business affairs; Marife Blanco, program sales. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Product highlights: "Paradiso," animated series about a world where dreams become reality and imagination knows no bounds; 26 x 5 min. "Urpo & Turpo," animated stories concerning the anxieties, hopes, desires and impulses that are common to children and adults alike; 13 x 9 min. "A Walled Existence," documentary about women who are prosecuted for murder and have to leave their children behind; 50 min. "Italian Nature Watch," docu series covering the wide variety of Italian wildlife; 11 x 27 min. Interactive TV Entertainment Skelbaekgade 2 DK-1717 Copenhagen Denmark (45-33) 265-600 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Fax: (45-33) 255-680 Stand: EX.B19/C.20 Attending: Ivan Solvason, president; Carlos Zalve, managing director, ITE Latin America; Tom Vedel, managing director; Jesper Helbrandt, sales & marketing director; Klaus Aamann, sales manager, PC games; Kim Ritzau, sales manager, TV; Tine Falther, sales manager, merchandising. Product highlights: "Throut & Neck in Sheepheaven," interactive TV format for the 15-25 age group; 13 x 26 min. "Hugo," Hugo the troll must battle the evil witch who has captured his family. "Hugo & Bonker," 3-D animation, high-speed action and two-player scenarios. "Crazy Cartoon Soccer," animated interactive sports game with 10 funny characters from around the world. Intl. Creative Exchange Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 35745 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Suite 475 Hollywood, CA 90068 (213) 850-8080 Fax: (213) 850-8082 Stand: 14.15; phone 9299-8145 Attending: Oliver de Courson, president; Phillip Catherall, VP. Product highlights: "Little Heroes," a girl and her dog show a town the meaning of courage and sacrifice; 78 min. "Miss Peach," comic strip teacher and her irascible students come to life as puppets; 4 x 23 min. "Thomas Jefferson: A View From the Mountain," recounts the story of one of America's most complex figures; 120 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "North to Alaska," Merrill Osmond hosts this winter holiday special in Alaska with help from his singing Osmond siblings; 60 min. Intl. Entertainment Enterprises 5481 Katherine Ave. Sherman Oaks, CA 91401 (818) 994-0801 Fax: (818) 787-5472 Stand: Ex.D5 Attending: Joseph Adelman, CEO. Product highlights: "Frank Capra 100th Anniversary Special," definitive special on the film career and personal life of Frank Capra, produced by his family; 100 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "A Hole In the Head," the struggling owner of a Miami Beach hotel lies to his rich brother that he needs money; 120 min. "A Pocketful of Miracles," re-release of Frank Capra's last film; 136 min. Ironstar Communications 65 Heward Ave., Suite 202 Toronto, Ontario Canada M4M 2T5 (416) 466-2522 Fax: (416) 466-0876 Stand: 13.20-15.19; phone 9299-8093 Attending: Derek McGillivray, president; Heather McGillivray, VP. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Product highlights: "A Passion for Prairie: (Wind, Grass and Sky)," special focuses on a small area of original prairie in southwestern Alberta; 60 min. "The Jesus Trial," 2,000 years after the trial of Jesus Christ, the evidence is reviewed and a clear verdict offered; 3 x 60 min. "The Alternative Medicine Show," modern guide to alternative health care treatments and remedies; 13 x 30 min. "Wonder Why," children's series looks at scientific issues; 65 x 30 min. J J&M Entertainment 2 Dorset Square London, NW1 6PU, U.K. (44-171) 723-6544 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Fax: (44-171) 724-7541 Stand: 01.11 Attending: Michael Ryan, co-chairman & CEO; Gary Phillips, senior VP, head of TV distribution; Tony Lytle, senior VP, head of TV; Clare Crean, TV sales exec. Product highlights: "Eye of the Eagle," story set in medieval times about the heir to the Danish throne, who discovers a plot by the evil one-eyed knight to usurp the throne; 92 min. "Robert Ryland's Last Journey," a professor's sudden return to Oxford after a mysterious 10-year absence has a profound effect on his friends and former lovers; 103 min. "Martin Beck Series II," detective series based on the novels of Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo; 8 x 90 min. "Human Bomb," drama inspired by a real event that took place in 1993, when a man walked into a children's classroom with dynamite strapped to his waist and held the kids and teacher hostage; 92 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 K Keller Entertainment Group 14225 Ventura Blvd. Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 (818) 981-4950 Fax: (818) 501-6224 Stand: EX.C37; phone 9299-8835 Attending: Cord Douglas, director, sales & acquisitions; Max Keller, chairman; Francois Lesterlin, production exec Product highlights: "The Sam Hill Chronicles," investigations of the dark-cloaked mystery man whose covert missions lead him through the surreal hamlets and hollows of the old Southwest; 20 x 60 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Showtime at the Apollo," performances from the historic theater in New York; 234 x 60 min. "Conan the Adventurer," the barbarian hero battles sorcery and armies on his quest for justice; 20 x 60 min. "Grizzly Adams," contemporary remake of the TV series; 20 x 60 min. KIDCON GmbH c/o Igelfilm Friedensallee 7-9 D-22765 Hamburg, Germany (49-40) 390-8765 Fax: (49-40) 390-3607 Stand: 14.20 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Attending: Bettina Matthaei; Christian Lehmann. Product highlights: "Plonsters," clay animation series; 52 x 3 mins. King World Intl. 1700 Broadway New York, NY 10019 (212) 315-4000 Fax: (212) 582-9255 Stand: C1.07 Attending: Fred Cohen, president; Ellen Politi, VP, intl. sales; Steve Friedman, VP, intl. programming; Greg Heim, director, intl. operations; Anne Darer, manager, intl. programming. Product highlights: "Candid Camera's 50th Anniversary," comedy special features more than 100 clips from the past half-century; 3 x 60 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Adam & Eve," relationship gameshow where a woman gets to create her perfect Adam and a guy gets to create his perfect Eve; 30 min. "Treasure Hunt," audience hunts for a treasure chest of prizes; 30 min. "The Reppies," live-action reptile rock group and their magical tutor Miss Summerhayes; 26 x 30 min. Kinnevik Media Properties 805 3rd Ave., 8th floor New York, NY 10022 (212) 755-4742 Fax: (212) 755-4628 Stand: 04.11 Attending: Joseph E. Kovacs, president; Todd C. Jackson, VP, intl.; Steve Nurkin, VP; Almira Malyshev, director, intl. sales; Donna Tracey, director, Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 operations. Product highlights: "Showcase Eight," TV features capturing electrifying performances by some of America's greatest actors. "Sea Rescue," international maritime law enforcement teams engage in dramatic missions; 50 x 30 min. Kushner-Locke Intl. 11601 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2030 Los Angeles, CA 90025 (310) 445-1111 Fax: (310) 445-1181 Stand: 03.06-05.05; phone 9299-8038 Attending: Gregory Cascante, president-CEO; Eleanor Powell, VP, theatrical U.K.; Marvinia Anderson; president, intl. TV; Mevelyn Valladares, director, Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 sales administration. Product highlights: "Could It Be a Miracle?" series that visits ordinary people who have had amazing experiences; 24 x 60 min. "Erotic Confessions," provocative series takes a voyeuristic journey beyond all limits into the secret sensual fantasies and desires of one's own mind, body and soul; 13 x 30 min. "Gun," series that follows the events surrounding a nickel-plated, pearl-handled Colt .45 as it passes through the hands of various individuals; 6 x 60 min. "Magic Adventures," characters travel on mystical journeys and experience the magic and adventure of being kids; 10 x 120 min. L Lacey Entertainment 1414 Ave. of the Americas Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 New York, NY 10019 (212) 754-5482 Fax: (212) 754-5481 Stand: 02.16; phone 9299-8123 Attending: Brian Lacey, president. Product highlights: "America's Dumbest Criminals," light entertainment series that highlights some of the unluckiest, most inept criminals at work; 52 x 30 min. "Sushi TV," showcases the best of Japanese animation; 26 x 60 min. "Pigasso's Place & M3D," children's series that combines live action, puppets and computer-generated 3-D animation; 26 x 30 min. "Heritage One," music specials featuring the biggest names in U.S. country music; 4 x 60 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 The David Lamping Co. Royalty House 72-74 Dean St. London, W1V 5HB, U.K. (44-171) 465-0796 Fax: (44-1710) 437-6295 Attending: David Lamping. Product highlights: "The Tidings," animated series featuring the "seven little wonders of the world," narrated by Robert Powell and Susan George; 26 x 15 min. "Asterix," the famous animated character and friends in six feature films; 6 x 75 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Emmanuelle," more adventures with the erotic heroine; 3 x 90 min. features & 7 x 90 min. series. "Eva Peron --- The True Story," feature on the life of Eva Peron; 114 min. Les Films FM 30 Rue de Miromesnil 75008 Paris, France (33-1) 4266-0310 Fax: (33-1) 4266-0309 Stand: H4.35 Attending: Sahbi Alovi, manager; Jean-Luc Pellier, administrator; Isabelle Perrot, promotion coordinator. Product highlights: "The Eagles Struck Down," documentary chronicling the last years of domination by the Romanov, Hapsburg and Hohenzollern dynasties; Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 7 x 75 min. "Philippe Soupault in Tunis," docu on French surrealist poet Philippe Soupault and his life in Tunisia at the time of the Nazi occupation; 26 min. Leucadia Film Corp. 535 E. South Temple St. Salt Lake City, UT 84102 (801) 521-1094 Fax: (801) 524-1760 Stand: 09.24 Attending: Yoram Pelman, intl. sales; Dylan Shepherd, business affairs. Product highlights: "Wish Upon a Star," when an innocent wish made on a shooting star switches their bodies, the Wheaton sisters bring new meaning to the term "sibling rivalry"; 90 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Just in Time," after the death of Lily's mother, her father embarks on an ill-fated search for the right nanny; 96 min. Link Entertainment 7 Barons Gate 33-35 Rothschild Road London, W4 5HT, U.K. (44-181) 996-4800 Fax: (44-181) 742-1945 Stand: 02.36 Attending: Claire Derry, managing director; David Hamilton, chairman; David Llewellyn-Jones, director of intl. sales; Jo Kavanagh-Payne, senior VP, Link TV Entertainment; Katherine Ilbury, sales exec. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Product highlights: "Chatterhappy Ponies," live-action series set at a farm where it's the ponies who do the talking and the humans who are in the background; 16 x 10 min. "Bug Alert," educational programs for 3- to 8-year-olds; 52 x 30 min. "The Music Shop," using musical instruments and everyday household items, the show develops a child's imagination and knowledge of the world; 130 x 30 min. "The Forgotten Toys," new adventures of two toy characters; 13 x 25 min. Live Intl. 15400 Sherman Way, Suite 500 Van Nuys, CA 91406 (818) 778-3204 Fax: (818) 778-3188 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Stand: EX.B38 Attending: Mark Reinhart, senior VP, intl. distribution; Nancy Lund Screen, senior VP, sales; David Garber, exec VP, TV & new media, Live Entertainment; Rick Mischel, senior VP, acquisitions & production, Live Entertainment. Product highlights: "The Animated Adventures of Tom Sawyer," Tom and Huck Finn get into their usual mischief in this updated, animated musical version of Mark Twain's novel; 75 min. "The Littlest Angel," animated special based on the book by Charles Tazewell; 30 min. "Moonbase," exiled to head a lonely garbage dump on the moon, a man and his crew must deal with deranged escaped inmates from an orbiting prison satellite; 87 min. "Somebody Is Waiting," when Leon's mother dies, he accidentally kills his violent father and is forced to go on the run; 90 min. Llaniaulliw Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Ty Cefn Rectory Road Canton Cardiff, CF5 1QL, Wales (44-1222) 255630 Fax: (44-1222) 255631 Stand: H4.35 Attending: Peter Edwards, managing director. Product highlights: "Bride of War," love story set in war-torn Poland; 4 x 60 min. "The Glass Shot," a stalker kidnaps and threatens his way across strike-torn South Wales. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "The Owl Service," a fractured family has its rites-of-passage controlled by Celtic myths. "Dic Penderyn," the life of the Welsh working-class hero. London TV Service Hercules House Hercules Road London, SE1 7DU, U.K. (44-171) 261-8592 Fax: (44-171) 261-8874 Stand: A0.02 Attending: Jackie Huxley, head of sales; David Faulkner, John Ridley, regional sales managers. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Product highlights: "Perspective Plus --- Tapes 37-40," series of 2- to 5-minute science and technology magazine items. Sold by the hour, each hour comprises three tapes and each tape has five reports. "Perspective Series 13," programs on topics including backache, nanotechnology, consciousness and the environment; 6 x 30 min. "U.K. Today," monthly magazine program looking at life and events in the U.K. Lumiere Latin America Rua Mexico 11/11o. Andar Centro Rio de Janeiro, Brazil CEP 22031-144 (55-21) 262-8484 Fax: (55-21) 240-8142 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 In Cannes: The Conquest, docked behind the Palais Attending: Marc G. Beauchamps, president-CEO; Carla Niemeyer, head of intl. sales; Andrea Baffa, intl. sales. Product highlight: "Little Book of Love," look at love and the nature of relationships and their profound effect on our daily lives. M MGM/UA Telecommunications Group 2500 Broadway St. Santa Monica, CA 90404 (310) 449-3775 Fax: (310) 449-3034 Stand: EX.D4; phone 9299-8854 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Attending: Gary Marenzi, president; Bill Lee, senior VP, sales & business development; Marcia Spielholz, senior VP, creative & business affairs; Gilberte de Turenne, senior VP, sales & co-productions, Europe, Middle East, Africa; Patricia Jennings, VP, pay TV & business development, Europe; Carolyn Stalins, exec director, European TV sales; Sylvie Lebosse, exec director, European operations; Guy Petty, exec director, sales planning & business development; Mina Patel, director, intl. TV distribution; Jim Hurlock, VP, sales, planning & business development, Australasia. Product highlights: "All Dogs Go to Heaven: The Series," continuation of the antics of Charlie and Itchy as they resume life on Earth as heaven's special guardian angels; 26 x 30 min. "Fame L.A.," drama series based on the 1980 movie; 22 x 60 min. "LAPD: Life on the Beat,"' action/reality series centered on the L.A. police force; 365 x 30 min. "Convict Cowboy," coming-of-age story about a young, first-time convict criminal who learns responsibility and discipline; 120 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 MLR Films Intl. 59 Westminster Ave. Bergenfield, NJ 07621 (201) 385-8139 Fax: (201) 385-8196 Stand: 13.30 Attending: Alan Miller, president. Product highlights: "Animals for Kids," 11 episodes. Nine animated features. Package of 12 1990s horror movies. MP Consulting Intl. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 947 Second Ave., Suite 2 New York, NY 10022 (212) 223-4112 Fax: (212) 421-9187 In Cannes: Noga Hilton Attending: Alex Massis, president. Product highlights: "Super Kid," a super child and his super friends in the year 2023 battle evil forces; 52 x 25 min. "Women," tale about a love triangle in Old Jerusalem; 98 min. "Gimlet," story about one man's dangerous passion for a woman; 89 min. "Premeditated Murder," romance seems doomed to fail when surrounded by the inhumanity of wartime politics in the former Yugoslavia; 98 min. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 MTM Intl. 70 Conduit St. London, W1R 9TQ, U.K. (44-171) 478-2600 Fax: (44-171) 478-2601 Stand: 01.01 Attending: Chuck Larsen, president, worldwide distribution; Greg Phillips, president, intl.; Tim Robertson, president-CEO, Intl. Family Entertainment; Tony Thomopoulos, CEO, MTM Entertainment; Michael Ogiens, president, MTM TV; Greg Phillips, president-CEO, MTM Worldwide Distribution; Gus Lucas, president, Family Channel; Mike Gwartney, VP, intl. programming, Intl. Family Entertainment; Victoria Ryan, managing director/VP, intl. sales; Gavin Reardon, VP, sales. Product highlights: "The Cape," series taking viewers inside the personal and professional lives of the men and women who will lead NASA and the space Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 program into the future; 20 x 60 min. & 2-hour pilot. "The Pretender," series concerning an "intellectual equalizer" on the run from the nefarious think tank that raised him; 22 x 60 min. "Sparks," comedy series set within an African-American law firm in Los Angeles; 22 x 30 min. "Us & Them," follow the day-to-day happenings of two men and two women living in the same apartment building; 13 x 30 min. MTV: Music Television 1515 Broadway New York, NY 10036 (212) 258-8762 Fax: (212) 258-8759 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Stand: 07.19, 05.20 Attending: Van Toffler, exec VP, program enterprises/MTV Prods.; Donald Silvey, senior VP, programming enterprises & business development; Eduardo Braniff, director, intl. new business; Caroline Beaton, director, European sales; Richard Cunningham, director, MTV Asia network development; Christine Roman, coordinator, intl. program sales. Product highlights: "Jenny McCarthy Show," sketch comedy series; 13 x 30 min. "Oddville, MTV," bizarre, twisted take on the talkshow genre; 65 x 30 min. "Daria," animated teen and her family move to a plush suburb; 13 x 30 min. "The Rodman World Tour," Dennis Rodman travels the globe as he works and plays with some of Hollywood's hottest celebs; 13 x 30 min. Magus Entertainment Kooltjesbuurt 11 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 1411 RZ Naarden-Vesting The Netherlands (31-35) 695-0371 Fax: (31-35) 694-1705 Stand: 16.18 Attending: Rick van den Heuvel, managing director. Product highlights: "She Good Fighter," feature centered on an ex-con who is wrongly accused of stealing a priceless collection of art and decides to go into hiding. "A Gift From Heaven," drama set in the rural backwoods of North Carolina about the relationship between a mother and her two children. "The Initiation," three freshmen law students participate in an initiation event but the whole thing gets out of hand and one of them gets killed. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Boys," feature about love, girls and great friendship. Mainline Releasing 1801 Ave. of the Stars, Suite 1200 Los Angeles, CA 90067 (310) 286-7208 Fax: (310) 286-0518 Stand: 09.18 Attending: Marc Greenberg, president; Richard Goldberg, VP. Product highlights: "Hot Line," series explores the erotic, thrilling and humorous nature of passionate encounters; 18 x 30 min. "Indecent Behavior 4," Shannon Tweed stars in a story about fashion, sensuality and murder. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 "Compromising Situations," collection of dramatic stories about lovers in provocative situations exploring their sexuality and testing the limits of the forbidden and unexpected; 30 x 30 min. "Savage Land," in 1870, a family searching for a better life out West must fight for survival after their stagecoach is ambushed by bandits. Malofilm Intl. 2221 Yonge St., Suite 400 Toronto, Ontario Canada M4S 2B4 (416) 480-0453 Fax: (416) 480-0501 Stand: 9.13 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Attending: Natalie Vinet, senior manager, acquisitions & operations; Loredana Cunti, director of sales; Natalie Osborne, sales exec; Jenn Kuzmyk, sales & marketing coordinator; Robert Hogan, president-chief operating officer, Malofilm Communications; Joelle Levie, VP financing, Malofilm Communications; Caroline Maria, creative producer/head of adult animation, Malofilm Communications. Product highlights: "Children From Elsewhere," two families on opposite sides of the Atlantic struggle to survive in 1939 with the threat of a world war on the horizon; 10 x 60 min. "Ballroom Dancing," docu explores the world of ballroom dancing, the politics, the personalities, the business and the compeititors; 52 min. "Turtle Island," comedy series combining adventure and cartoons; 26 x 26 min. "The Adventures of Professor Iris," educational series with the zany yet goodhearted teacher and his pupils; 26 x 26 min. Marathon Intl. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 27 Rue de la Faisanderie 75116 Paris, France (33-1) 4434-6600 Fax: (33-1) 4434-6605 Stand: 02.37 Attending: Olivier Bremond, managing director; Thorunn Anspach, sales manager; Monica Levy, sales exec; Valerie Tailland, press & PR manager. Product highlights: "The Secret World of Santa Claus," accompanied by his three elves and his faithful reindeer, Santa Claus has a lot of surprises in store for children all over the world; 26 x 30 min. "Mr. Men and Little Miss," series based on the books by Roger Hargreaves; 40 x 26 min. "Enigma," animated series introducing Agatha Cherry who leads a double life; one as a quiet schoolgirl, and one as a super hero who fights crime and solves Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 mysteries; 26 x 26 min. "Kassai and Leuk," animated story of a bush child and his voyage into the Africa of legends and wild animals; 26 x 26 min. Marina Prods. 13 Rue Madeleine Michelis 92200 Neuilly Sur Seine, France (33-1) 4640-2800 Fax: (33-1) 4640-2828 Stand: 09.29 Attending: Claude Berthier, chairman-CEO; Maureen Sery, exec VP; Wendy Griffiths, VP, animation production; Thierry Berthier, VP program & development; Valerie Seban, director of marketing & communication, Emmanuelle Adler, R&D, entertainment & live programs. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Product highlights: "Caius the Roman," animated series following the Emperor Trajan's four "musketeers" across the Empire, as they serve and protect their beloved Rome; 52 x 26 min. "Princess of the Nile," animated series that discovers the captivating mysteries of ancient Egypt under Ramses II; 26 x 26 min. "The Last Reservation," animated series offering a comic vision of our modern world, with teepees and totem poles in the middle of a major modern metropolis; 52 x 26 min. The Marketplace Turfpoortstraat 27 1411 ED Naarden The Netherlands (31-35) 695-0196 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Fax: (31-35) 695-0449 Stand: H4.35-L5.02 Attending: Franca Pelster, project coordinator, Anne Hauman, Mieke Verhees, participants liaison officers; Pierre Hupin, database coordinator. Maryland Public TV 11767 Owings Mills Blvd. Owings Mills, MD 21117 (410) 581-4083 Fax: (410) 581-4338 Stand: 12.26-14.25 Attending: John Potthast, VP, national/intl. production. Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Product highlights: "Into the Rising Sun," blending history, travel and culture, the series commemorates the 500th anniversary of the Portuguese voyage opening the first European sea rout to the East in 1498; 4 x 60 min. "Exodus 1947," Morley Safer narrates this docu portraying the story of the ship and its voyage to carry 4,500 Holocaust survivors to Palestine; 60 min. "Boatworks,"' series focuses on the world of boating; 13 x 30 min. "A Woman's Place," portrayals of the struggles and triumphs of women making a difference politically, socially and economically worldwide; 60 min. Media Intl. Corp. NR Building 5-5 Kamiyama-cho, Shibuya-ku Tokyo 150 Japan (81-3) 3468-6984 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Fax: (8-13) 3466-9530 Stand: 07.01 Attending: Hisateru Furuta, director of sales & VP; Nobuyuki Haba, exec manager, North and South America; Tomoko Maruda, sales manager, Asia; Chie Kojima, sales manager, Europe, Oceania, Middle East. Product highlights: "Asia: The Legend Goes On," docu series; 5 x 45 min. "Strangers Within," drama miniseries; 6 x 44 min. "The Last Veterans: Final Days of a Kuomintang Bastion in Hong Kong," docu; 52 min. "Refuge in Ryukyo: Rare Lives on an Island Ark," docu exploring the Galapagos of the Orient; 54 min. Medialab 104 Avenue du President Kennedy Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Paris, France (33-1) 4430-4430 Fax: (33-1) 4430-4470 Stand: 3.10 Attending: Gerard Mital, president-CEO; Jacques Peyrache, managing director; Maja Tubiana, exec producer; Emmanuel Javal, senior VP, performance animation & TV. Mediaset Viale Europa 48 20093 Cologno Monzese (Mi), Italy (39-2) 2514-9623 Fax: (39-2) 2514-9097 Variety, April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997 Stand: 06.24 Attending: Carlo Bernasconi, CEO; Giovanni Stabilini, senior VP; Riccardo Tozzi, director of TV production; Giuseppe Proietti, director of TV co-productions; Danielle Lorenzano, director of program acquisitions; Guido Pugnetti, intl. acquisitions manager; Francesco Mozzetti, intl. sales manager; Margherita Pedranzini, head of press & PR. Product highlights: "Desert of Fire," a small boy survives a plane crash and is found, adopted and brought up by a couple as if he were their own son. Twenty years later, he discovers the truth and goes in search of his roots; 3 x 100 min. "The Fourth King," against his wishes, a poor beekeeper finds himself involved in the journey of