Indiantelevision.com Team

(24 June 2006 6:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Viacom Consumer Products in partnership with the Paramount Licensing Group announced adult-targeted merchandising programmes in the US.

This is tied to the upcoming high-profile motion picture releases of Beowulf and Dreamgirls. In addition, Viacom Consumer Products and Comedy Central announced at the Licensing Show in New York plans to celebrate the 10th season of Comedy Central’s hit series, South Park.

Beowulf tells the story of a fierce warrior defending his kingdom from a vicious monster. It will be relased next year and is is directed by Robert Zemekis Forrest Gump. Beowulf will be supported by consumer products that include collectible action figures, video games, and books.

25 years after it first brought Broadway audiences to their feet, the Tony Award-winning musical sensation Dreamgirls comes to the big screen, starring Oscar winner Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, and Eddie Murphy. Set in the turbulent early 1960s to mid-70s, Dreamgirls follows the rise of a trio of women who, under the direction of an ambitious talent manager, form a promising girl group called the Dreams.

Though the Dreams become a crossover phenomenon, they soon realise that the cost of fame and fortune may be higher than they ever imagined. Dreamgirls is directed by Bill Condon from a screenplay he adapted from the stage musical’s original book by Tom Eyen. The release of the film next year will bring merchandising opportunities in apparel, mobile phone applications, high-end collectible dolls, and social expressions.

Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products president Leigh Anne Brodsky says, “Dreamgirls and Beowulf are two of the most highly anticipated motion pictures coming to theaters in the next year and a half and South Park is as popular today as ever.

“With appealing movies and television programmes like these, the Viacom family has an unparalleled access to the widest variety of properties, appealing to the broadest range of consumers. We are thrilled to be presenting new merchandising opportunities for these three titles, which promise to be fantastic performers, and we’re looking forward to announcing more exciting programs soon.”

At this year’s Licensing Show, Viacom Consumer Products also offers opportunities to be part of the animated TV series South Park -- with merchandise timed to a special on-air event in September 2006.

South Park debuted in 1996. The show which is set in the small town of South Park, is making plans to celebrate its 10th season in a big way. It features the trials and tribulations of grade-schoolers Kyle, Stan, Kenny and Cartman. New DVD products will help celebrate the 10th season alongside new collectible figures, plush, apparel and home products.