LIONSGATE ACQUIRES THE EXCLUSIVE HOME ENTERTAINMENT DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS FOR LALALOOPSY™ ONE OF THE HOTTEST TOY PROPERTIES IN THE MARKET

First Movie Set For Distribution Early This Year

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 5, 2012 /CNW/ - Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), a leading diversified global entertainment company, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with leading consumer entertainment products company, MGA Entertainment, to acquire the home entertainment distribution rights to one of the hottest toy properties in the market, Lalaloopsy™. Lionsgate will serve as the exclusive distributor of Lalaloopsy™ product for all packaged media and digital platforms in several territories, including the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.  The announcement was made by Lionsgate EVP of Family Entertainment Anne Parducci and MGA Entertainment CEO Isaac Larian.

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Since hitting the market in 2010, the cute and magical Lalaloopsy dolls have captivated the market in a way that hasn't been seen since the introduction of Cabbage Patch Kids in the 1980s. The announcement of Lionsgate's entry into this whimsical world comes soon after the property dominated all wish lists during the holiday shopping season.  Called "This year's Tickle Me Elmo" by MSNBC and "the 'IT' doll for the holidays" by the Today Show, the Lalaloopsy™ dolls were featured in just about every major hot toy list for the holidays including Amazon.com, Toys R Us, Time To Play, toys.com and many more. Lionsgate's initial home entertainment feature release - Adventures in Lalaloopsy Land: The Search for Pillow - will launch in March.   

"We have been very impressed by Lalaloopsy's exponential growth as a brand since their launch in 2010, developing beyond the initial doll line into several additional categories such as apparel, fashion accessories, video games and books," said Parducci.  "We are excited to help bring the highly successful Lalaloopsy doll line to life through the first Lalaloopsy movie. The unique stories that each doll has combined with all of their wonderful friends and accessories lends itself perfectly to the type of high quality, engaging premiere children's entertainment that has become the trademark of our Family division." 

"MGA has enjoyed a great partnership with Lionsgate through the years as witnessed by the popularity of Bratz home entertainment," said Larian.  "They have an amazing library of family friendly films and we are thrilled to add the magic of Lalaloopsy to the Lionsgate family this spring!"

ABOUT LALALOOPSY™

Lalaloopsy are collectible, magical dolls that come to life when the very last stitch of their clothing is sewn. Each character has her own extra-cute pet and a background story based on the fabrics used in her fashion. The Lalaloopsy line is truly magnificent and includes imaginative playsets, large dolls and accessories, fashion packs, a multitude of miniature collectibles and carrying cases. With your love and a little imagination, the magic can go on forever!

ABOUT LIONSGATE

Lionsgate is a leading global entertainment company with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, family entertainment, digital distribution and new channel platforms. The Company has built a strong television presence in production of prime time cable and broadcast network series, distribution and syndication of programming through Debmar-Mercury and an array of channel assets. Lionsgate currently has 15 shows on more than 10 networks spanning its prime time production, distribution and syndication businesses, including such critically-acclaimed hits as "Mad Men," "Weeds" and "Nurse Jackie" along with the comedy "Blue Mountain State," the critically-acclaimed drama "Boss" and the syndication successes "Tyler Perry's House Of Payne," its spinoff "Meet The Browns," "The Wendy Williams Show" and "Are We There Yet?".

Its feature film business has been fueled by such recent successes as THE LINCOLN LAWYER, TYLER PERRY'S MADEA'S BIG HAPPY FAMILY, MARGIN CALL, THE EXPENDABLES, THE LAST EXORCISM, TYLER PERRY'S WHY DID I GET MARRIED TOO?, KICK ASS and the critically-acclaimed PRECIOUS, which won two Academy Awards®. The Company's home entertainment business has grown to more than 7% market share and is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rate. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 13,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate brand remains synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.

ABOUT MGA ENTERTAINMENT

MGA Entertainment, a consumer entertainment products company headquartered in Van Nuys, California, manufactures innovative lines of proprietary and licensed products including toys and games, dolls, consumer electronics, home decor, stationery and sporting goods. The MGA family includes award-winning brands such as Little Tikes®, Lalaloopsy™, Bratz®, Moxie Girlz™, BFC, Ink.™, Rescue Pets® and Zapf Creations®. The Company is continuing its tradition of creating imaginative doll brands for girls. For more information please visit: www.mgae.com, www.littletikes.com, www.lalaloopsy.com, www.bratz.com, www.moxiegirlz.com, www.moxieteenz.com, and www.bfcink.com.

SOURCE Lionsgate

http://www.lionsgate.com

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