Nelvana partners with Michael Eisner's The Tornante Company and Topps to unveil new boys action series Mysticons at MIPTV

TORONTO, April 8, 2013 /CNW/ - Corus Entertainment's Nelvana Enterprises and The Topps Company, the preeminent creator and brand marketer of sports cards, entertainment products and distinctive confectionery, are entering into a partnership to develop a brand new boys action series, Mysticons. The 26 x 22-minute animated series for kids 6 to 11 will be produced by Nelvana Studio and written by veteran kids series writer Sean Jara (RedaKai, Hot Wheels: Battle Force 5, The League of Super Evil, Naturally Sadie).

Michael D. Eisner, who founded The Tornante Company, a privately held company that invests in, acquires, and operates companies in media and entertainment, acquired The Topps Company in 2007.

"We are thrilled to work with Corus Entertainment a globally renowned children's broadcaster and producer," said Eisner. "Nelvana has a strong history of success in building and launching hit boys action properties and the partnership with Topps sets the stage for Mysticons to be the next big global boys action franchise."

The original series is centered around four regular kids in the quiet suburb of Castletown who are called into action to double as a legendary line of heroes, known as Mysticons. After discovering a powerful mystical tome, the four friends transform into oath-bonded warriors who leave their regular life of homework, sports and video games to battle fire breathing dragons, evil knights and barbaric orcs, led by a trio of evil warlords set on destroying all of mankind.

"We're excited to be partnering with The Topps Company on a multi-platform series that has all the ingredients for success, including compelling characters and exciting stories," said Doug Murphy, President of Corus Television. "Leveraging the Topps brand will enable us to build game play into the DNA of the series."

A Mysticons trailer will be available during MIPTV at Nelvana Enterprises, Booth N6.04.

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 Corus Entertainment
Corus Entertainment Inc., a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in specialty television and radio with additional assets in pay television, television broadcasting, children's book publishing and children's animation. The Company's multimedia entertainment brands include YTV, Treehouse, Nickelodeon (Canada), ABC Spark, W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada), CosmoTV, Sundance Channel (Canada), Movie Central, HBO Canada, Nelvana, Kids Can Press, Toon Boom and 37 radio stations including CKNW AM 980, 99.3 The FOX, Country 105, 630 CHED, Q107 and 102.1 the Edge. Corus creates engaging branded entertainment experiences for its audiences across multiple platforms. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (CJR.B). Experience Corus on the web at www.corusent.com.

About The Topps Company, Inc.
Founded in 1938, The Topps Company is the preeminent creator and brand marketer of sports cards and related digital products, entertainment products, and distinctive confectionery. Topps leading sports and entertainment products include Major League Baseball, National Football League, English Premiere League, Bundesliga, Indian Premier League, Skylanders, WWE, UFC, Mars Attacks, Wacky Packages, Garbage Pail Kids and other trading cards, sticker album collections, and collectible games. The Company's top confectionary brands include "Ring Pop," "Push Pop," "Baby Bottle Pop," "Bazooka" bubble gum, "Sharkies" and "Juicy Drop Pop" products.

SOURCE: Corus Entertainment Inc.

Kate Calder   
Publicist, Corus Entertainment                                 
416.479.6319        
[email protected] 

Adam Schiff (For Topps)
212-981-5216
[email protected]