Cannes, France, May 22, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Collectible dolls, toys and action figures designed after characters in the film will be part of the consumer marketing campaign and product offerings from Hannover House in support of the company's upcoming release of "Toys in the Attic." The acclaimed, stop-motion animated film from directors Jiri Barta and Vivian Schilling features actors Forest Whitaker, Joan Cusack and Cary Elwes, providing voice talent for the collection of misfit Toys. Principal characters in the film - Teddy. Sir Handsome, Laurent and Buttercup - will be available as premium, collectible action figures and dolls from Hannover House (Pinksheets: HHSE). The company will also offer a "Head of State" bust as well as a jigsaw puzzle, coffee mugs, 2013 Calendar and playing cards, each featuring the key-art image for the movie.
The action-figures and bust will be premium priced, limited edition items for animation fans and movie memorabilia collectors. The Jigsaw Puzzle and Playing Cards will be budget priced for retail distribution and consumer accessibility. All of the items will be made available through the film's website as well as through mainstream internet sellers such as Amazon.com.
"This is by far, one of the most unique films ever made," said Eric Parkinson, C.E.O. of Hannover House. "The characters that Jiri Barta created are classic, and the voice-talent performances that Vivian Schilling wrote and directed elevate the film to a magically-enchanting status. We've had so many requests for collectible dolls and merchandise that we did not want to ignore this opportunity. Our merchandising strategy will embrace both spectrums of the market, with high-margin, limited edition collectibles supported by high-volume, low-cost consumer items such as the Jigsaw Puzzle, Coffee Mugs and Playing Cards."
Hannover House plans to open "Toys in the Attic" in theatres across the country, beginning on August 24, 2012. Publicity and Public Relations will be handled by SNO-PR / Real PR Media and LBi (New York) with high-visibility marketing outreach to mainstream audiences, as well as animation fans and supporters of international cinema. Special event screenings are set for New York and Los Angeles, with additional media visibility from a Satellite Tour.
"Toys in the Attic" was produced in Prague, Czech Republic under the direction of renowned animation master Jiri Barta, whose team meticulously manipulated the toys one-frame-at-a-time during a tedious 2-1/2 year production shoot. Vivian Schilling was hired as the English-language adaptation writer-producer and director, and was responsible for the translation, rewriting of the screenplay and the recording of voice talent for the characters. USA Production recording occurred at Post-Haste Studios in Los Angeles and BAM Studios in Chicago. Final mastering and mixing facilities were Modern VideoFilm and Todd AO Studios. Hannover House is releasing the film under a distribution venture with Paris-based Eurocine International.
Prior to the release of "Toys in the Attic," Hannover House has been active only in direct media formats, including books, e-books, DVDs, Blu-Rays and audio CD releases. The addition of toy items and movie merchandise is expected to interface nicely with the company's existing network of retail and wholesale distribution, led most notably by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Blockbuster Video and Barnes & Noble.
"We expect to make money from the sale of these merchandising items," Parkinson continued. "Additionally, we will be promoting the film through the retail visibility and consumer impressions that these items will generate. It's a natural complement for a film with such a broad appeal, and is clearly why other studios have embraced merchandising opportunities for their primary releases."
Hannover House (Pinksheets: HHSE) is a full-service media company operating in the North American marketplace. The company produces and acquires feature films and video programming, and operates in-house distribution channels to theatres, video, video-on-demand and television media. The company also publishes books and e-books, and has released audio CD programs. The principal offices for Hannover House, Inc. are in N.W. Arkansas, nearby to the company's largest retail account, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. The company also offices in Los Angeles, with most of the publicity and public-relations activities originating out of New York City.
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Sections 27A & 21E of the amended Securities and Exchange Acts of 1933-34, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Although the company believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these statements included in this press release will prove accurate. Cann
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