Warner Brothers Consumer Products Soars Into Licensing 2004 International With The Much Anticipated Worldwide Resurgence Of Batman Franchise

Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) is bringing Gotham City to New York City at Licensing 2004 International with a strategic global licensing program surrounding the resurgence of Batman. The company, which retains the rights to some of the world's greatest entertainment brands, provides licensees and promotional partners with industry-leading programs based on its extensive roster of theatrical and television franchises.

For decades, Batman has entertained legions of fans around the globe through comic books, television shows, made-for-video releases, feature films and merchandise, making Batman one of the world's most popular super heroes and one of the largest and most-celebrated franchises the world over. The legend of Batman has inspired generations who can relate to his humanity and aspire to be like him. With Batman Begins, a new feature film scheduled for release by Warner Bros. Pictures in Summer 2005, and "The Batman," a new animated television series from Warner Bros. Animation debuting in Fall 2004 in the U.S., the legend is set for an unprecedented worldwide resurgence in 2005.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products' licensees, such as Mattel, the global toy licensee for the Batman brand, will support Batman Begins and "The Batman" with a worldwide product offering in the all-important toy category.

"With the new film and animated content set to arrive in 2004 and 2005, we are excited to connect our partners to the global strength of the franchise," said Dan Romanelli, President, Warner Bros. Worldwide Consumer Products. "Batman has long been one of our strongest properties, and we believe this resurgence will really take the franchise to a whole new level for fans around the world."

Warner Bros. Consumer Products is getting set to deliver more Batman action then ever before with a licensing strategy that will capture the integrity of this property in all its new forms. Warner Bros. Consumer Products will segment the product offering into three distinct product lines that speak to the diverse audiences of the franchise. For the comic book fan, a product line will be created featuring artwork inspired by today's hottest Batman comics. Fans of the animated series will see products based on the show that bring the series to life. And fans of the upcoming feature film, Batman Begins, will see a product line that speaks uniquely to the movie.

Entire Film Slate Flies High

Batman is not the only Warner Bros. Consumer Products entertainment franchise being supported by innovative licensing and merchandising programs in 2004, 2005 and beyond. Warner Bros. Consumer Products has strong licensing programs for a host of Warner Bros. Pictures film releases -- from the mystical Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and spellbinding Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire to the purr-fect prowess of Catwoman, the holiday favorite The Polar Express, as well as the whimsical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Tim Burton's touching tale, Corpse Bride.

Additionally, ongoing programs and support for Warner Bros. Consumer Products legendary core properties, such as Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, Hanna-Barbera, The Powerpuff Girls, Baby Looney Tunes, Justice League, The Wizard of Oz, among many others will make a strong statement at Licensing 2004.

Bringing the small screen to life, Warner Bros. Consumer Products will feature the vast collection of television franchises in its portfolio, including "¡Mucha Lucha!," "The O.C.," "Xiaolin Showdown," as well as several popular series from Cartoon Network, including "Adult Swim," "Codename: Kids Next Door" and DC Comics' "Teen Titans," which is produced by Warner Bros. Animation and also airs on Kids' WB! Other new television series that air on Cartoon Network and that will also be showcased at this year's show include "Hi Hi Puffy Ami Yumi," "Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends," "Megas XLR," and "The Life and Times of Juniper Lee."

"Warner Bros. Consumer Products continues to prove its leading role in the licensing world by providing its partners with access to fresh, innovative licensing campaigns that broaden the consumer experience with our entertainment properties," concluded Romanelli.