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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jennifer de Vallance (202) 395–6618
Steve Syatt, 4Kids (818) 501–0700
June 10, 2003
MULTI-MEDIA LEADER YU-GI-OH! AND WHITE HOUSE DRUG POLICY OFFICE ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP TO PREVENT YOUTH DRUG USE
4Kids Entertainment and Sandylion Sticker Designs
Join Drug Prevention Effort with Nationwide Honor: My Anti-Drug Collectible Giveaway
New York City, NY—A new initiative between YU-GI-OH! from 4Kids Entertainment and the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign will put collectible materials in the hands of over four and one-half million youth in the United States. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) today announced a partnership with 4Kids Entertainment as part of the Media Campaign's effort to reach kids with anti-drug messages in new and creative ways.
The "Honor: My Anti-Drug" initiative launches July 1 with the release of four exclusive YU-GI-OH! stickers featuring the animated cast and their "Anti-Drugs." Included on the collectible materials is original artwork of Yami-Yugi, the star of the hit animated series, along with his friends and duelist competitors Pegasus, Joey and Seto Kaiba, promoting the passions that keep them drug-free.
Produced by Sandylion Sticker Designs, the YU-GI-OH! anti-drug sticker collection will be distributed by Blockbuster Entertainment in all 4,500 of its stores during the month of July. Additionally, ONDCP's Media Campaign and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will distribute the exclusively-designed collectibles to a number of leading national organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Alfred R. Kahn, Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment, noted: "We are honored to join with the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign in lending the YU-GI-OH! characters to serve as drug-prevention spokespeople. We deeply appreciate the participation of Sandylion Sticker Designs in helping us realize this important national anti-drug initiative, and also our Japanese partners who have given us permission to use the YU-GI-OH! characters in this campaign. At the heart of this animated series are important values of character and teamwork—there is no room for even the consideration of drugs in Yugi's world."
"We are delighted to have YU-GI-OH! join us as a partner," said Alan Levitt, Director of ONDCP's Media Campaign. "Through the show's high profile and the support of 4Kids Entertainment, Blockbuster Entertainment and Sandylion Sticker Designs, young people will get the message that staying drug free is the only way to play."
YU-GI-OH! consistently ranks as the No. 1 show for boys on network television, where it airs seven times a week on Kids' WB! The show's characters will also make featured appearances online via ONDCP's youth Web site, www.freevibe.com, while the show's official Web site, www.yugioh.com, will showcase anti-drug information for kids.
In 1998, with the bipartisan support of Congress and the President, ONDCP created the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, an effort designed to educate and empower youth to reject illicit drugs. Counting on an unprecedented blend of public and private partnerships, non-profit community service organizations, volunteerism, and youth-to-youth communications, the Campaign is designed to reach Americans of diverse backgrounds.
About 4Kids Entertainment
Headquartered in New York City with international offices in London, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. is a global provider of children's entertainment and merchandise licensing. 4Kids, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, provides domestic and international merchandise licensing; product development; television, film, music and home video production and distribution, media planning and buying; and Web site development. For further information, please visit the company's Web site at www.4KidsEntertainment.com.
About Sandylion Sticker Designs:
Established in 1981, Sandylion Sticker Designs continues to be the world's leading sticker manufacturer with distribution in over 60 countries worldwide. Sandylion is a well-recognized name known for quality and innovation on both its own brand as well as its prestigious unrivaled license portfolio. Sandylion has carried on the spirit of its founders Sandra and Lionel Waldman by constantly giving back to the community as a successful children's brand conscious of its corporate responsibilities. The goodwill of Sandylion's generous philanthropic efforts as well its genuine concern towards the larger community, including its own employees and customers, has and continues to build goodwill towards the company and the Sandylion brand. For more information, please visit the company's Web site at www.Sandylion.com.
