Friday, June 16, 2006

By: Ryan Ball

Mike Young Prods.’ popular animated shows Pet Alien, ToddWorld and Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks will soon be entertaining kids on planes and trains. International rights, distribution and brand management company Taffy Ent. has signed a deal with portable in-flight entertainment provider digEcor, which will add the shows to its digEplayer kids` package.

All three cartoon shows will be shown on Alaska Airlines starting in July, and will be available to Amtrack passengers in August via a deal with partner company Railway Media. Springville, Utah-based digEcor hopes to sell the package to an additional sixteen international airlines.

DigEcor’s handheld digEplayer is a brandable, portable in-flight entertainment device that features a 7-inch screen and hard-drive that comes loaded with movies, music, TV shows and music videos. The company has content deals in place with major Hollywood studios and other leading distributors.

``This deal is indicative of our desire to reach out to non-traditional distribution

outlets.” says Taffy Ent. exec VP Regis Brown. “This is a non-exclusive ancillary rights deal and one that sets the foundation for many more to come. The strength of Mike Young Prods.` product is opening up non-traditional doors for us, while

helping to increase our brand presence in the market place.``

Jointly owned and operated by Mike Young Prods. and French animation company MoonScoop, Taffy Ent. handles a library that includes more than 2,400 half hours of animation. Key titles include MoonScoop`s Code Lyoko, Titeuf, The Fantastic Four, Funky Cops, Doctor Dog and Little Vampire, and Mike Young Prods.` Growing Up Creepie, I Got A Rocket! and Dive Olly Dive! The company also distributes third party properties including Sunwoo Ent.’s Mix Master: King of Cards and Entara’s Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks.

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