Nelvana and The Bridge Direct Partner on Pinkie Cooper - New Girls Fashion Doll Brand with a Canine Twist

TORONTO, June 27, 2013 /CNW/ - Corus Entertainment's Nelvana Enterprises and toy company The Bridge Direct are teaming up for the launch of Pinkie Cooper and the Jet Set Pets™. This summer will see the launch of the Pinkie Cooper toy line, a unique range of dolls and accessories -fashion dolls with a canine twist. In support of the toy launch, Nelvana will develop and create all Pinkie Cooper digital content including original webisodes, a new Pinkie Cooper website, several apps and all social media marketing for the launch. Nelvana will also oversee the consumer product merchandising and marketing plans associated with the brand going forward.

Beginning in July 2013, Nelvana will roll out seven three-minute webisodes to be seen on the Pinkie Cooper website and a dedicated YouTube channel. Up to four Pinkie Cooper apps are also slated to launch this year. The toy line from The Bridge Direct will launch shortly after in August, and will feature nine-inch Pinkie Cooper dolls that include aspects of fashion play, hair play, travel and pet collectibles.

"We're thrilled to be partnering on Pinkie Cooper with The Bridge Direct, one of North America's hottest new toycos," said Andrew Kerr, Head of Consumer Products, The Americas and Australasia. "We love how original and innovative Pinkie Cooper is, and we're excited to bring all of Nelvana's content production and consumer product expertise to bear to get the brand launched in 2013, and ensure its long term global success."

"We are delighted to have Nelvana as our partner on the Pinkie Cooper brand," said Jay Foreman, President and CEO, The Bridge Direct. "Their track record for creating children's entertainment content is second to none. They clearly recognize the power of toy brands to connect with kids and that a unique program like Pinkie Cooper has incredible breakout potential."

The brand centers around Pinkie Cooper and her best friends Ginger and Pepper, who turn their fascination with fashion into intriguing international adventures. Pinkie, Pepper and Ginger travel the world reporting on red carpet events for Pinkie's fashion web channel, as well as creating new designs, music and fashion statements along the way.

About Nelvana
Founded in 1971 as a small independent studio, Nelvana is now one of the world's leading international producers and distributors of children's animated and live-action content. Nelvana is comprised of Nelvana Studio and its distribution arm Nelvana Enterprises and owned by Corus Entertainment Inc. Nelvana Studio is a globally recognized studio that produces a stable of award-winning and globally renowned brands that focus on comedies, preschool, boys and live action. Leading boys action brands include anime series BEYBLADE: Metal Fury, BEYBLADE: Shogun Steel and Bakugan. Nelvana's content airs on Corus Entertainment's kids channels in Canada and in over 160 countries around the world. The Nelvana library has well over 3,800 episodes of programming and has received over 70 major international program awards including Emmys® and Geminis. Visit the Nelvana website at www.nelvana.com.

About The Bridge Direct, Inc.
The Bridge Direct, Inc. is a global children's consumer products company that designs, manufactures and distributes a wide range of toy lines based on top entertainment licenses, as well as proprietary brands. The company's products include: the new Pinkie Cooper and the Jet Set Pets^™ fashion doll line; Inkoos™ draw, wash and redo activity plush; Justin Bieber dolls; Flying Heroes airborne superhero figures; Looney Tunes plush and figures; and The Hobbit figures and role play toys. To find out more about The Bridge Direct, please visit www.thebridgedirect.com or follow the company on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TheBridgeDirect.

For high-resolution images, please visit Nelvana's media centre.

This release is available online at: http://www.corusent.com/home/Corporate/PressReleases/tabid/1697/Default.aspx?Id=2523

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SOURCE: Corus Entertainment Inc.

Kate Calder   
Publicist, Corus Entertainment                                 
416.479.6319        
[email protected]