Charles Falzon, Co-Chairman of CCI Entertainment, is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of GeoTrails; a national geocaching program based on the company’s latest transmedia property, GeoFreakZ.

The partnership with Parks Canada means that, beginning May, children and families can visit any of the participating national parks/historic sites, rent a free Magellan eXplorist GC and spend the day geocaching to uncover several GeoFreakZ caches. For participating, kids and families will receive bonus points for their online avatars on geofreakz.com and also be entered to win a Magellan eXplorist GC device of their very own.

Geocaching is commonly referred to as high-tech treasure hunting. It is an outdoor activity in which participants use GPS technology to “hide and seek” containers called “geocaches” anywhere in the world.

Other partnerships that have made the GeoTrails program possible include Magellan, Groundspeak, Energizer, TELETOON, Bell New Media and the OMDC
Falzon stated, “Kids will enjoy GeoTrails for the same reasons they love GeoFreakZ. It’s high-tech treasure hunting that allows them to compete with their friends, this time at some of the National Parks and National Historic Sites across the country. We have really enjoyed working with Parks Canada and hope to expand this model in to other markets.”

“Parks Canada has been working hard to introduce new, engaging initiatives that will help build deeper connections between young Canadians and our natural and historic heritage,” said Ed Jager Parks Canada’s Director of Visitor Experience. “The GeoFreakZ GeoTrails program will inspire families to develop strong and meaningful connections with Canada’s national treasures.”

GeoFreakz currently airs on TELETOON in Canada. It is an integrated social, web and TV experience combining the treasure-hunting family sport of geocaching, the social network potential of the web and the storytelling power of television. The property targets boys and girls ages 8 – 12 and takes them to a futuristic online world where they can hunt for treasure, find clues and help their GeoFreakZ friends.

Parks Canada.
Parks Canada works to ensure that Canada’s historic and natural heritage is presented and protected for the enjoyment, education and appreciation of all Canadians, today and in the future. Through a network of 43 national parks, 167 national historic sites, and four national marine conservation areas, Parks Canada invites Canadians, and people from around the world, to experience Canada’s treasured natural and historic places.

CCI Entertainment Ltd. (Cambium Catalyst International)
CCI Entertainment is one of Canada’s leading independent production and distribution companies with a successful track record spanning twenty years. CCI has been particularly recognized in the area of family programming, having been responsible for thousands of hours of award-winning television for the world market including: Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs, Erky Perky and Ghost Trackers as well as Monster By Mistake, Timeblazers, Shining Time Station and Sharon, Lois & Bram’s Elephant Show. CCI Entertainment’s mission is to create family entertainment that entertains, engages and fuels imaginations.

CCI Entertainment Ltd. is pleased to announce nine new sales in key territories worldwide for its preschool series Joe and Jack. The 39 x 7 minute series will appear on ABC Australia, Canal + (Piwi +) France, NPO Netherlands (Z@ppelin), RTP Portugal, Telequebec, Knowledge Network and BBC Kids in Canada, TVNZ New Zealand and Korea Hi Tel. The series will also air on Disney Junior Latin America.
In addition to television, CCI has also reached a home entertainment agreement with ABC Enterprises in Australia for the property.

Joe & Jack has been developed and is being produced by Maeve Mc Adam and Villi Ragnarsson of Ireland’s Dancing Girl Productions. Joe & Jack was funded by the Irish Film Board, RTE the Irish National Broadcaster, the Broadcast Authority of Ireland, the MEDIA programme of the European Union, Northern Ireland Screen, the Irish Language Broadcast Fund and the Section 481 tax incentive from the Republic of Ireland.

Arnie Zipursky, Co-Chairman and CEO of CCI Entertainment stated, “We are very happy with the response we have had from broadcasters on Joe & Jack. The charm of the series as well as the incredible art is garnering a lot of attention on all continents”.

Joe and Jack revolves around the comedic adventures of a boy Joe, and his best friend Jack. The only catch, Jack is a cat! The daring duo turn the ordinary into the extraordinary by using their imaginations to make dreams come true. The series embodies themes of friendship and fun and tackles preschool challenges.

CCI Entertainment Ltd. (Cambium Catalyst International) CCI Entertainment is one of Canada’s leading independent production and distribution companies with a successful track record spanning twenty years. CCI has been particularly recognized in the area of family programming, having been responsible for thousands of hours of award-winning television for the world market including: Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs, GeoFreakZ and Artzooka! as well as Monster By Mistake, Timeblazers, Shining Time Station and Sharon, Lois & Bram’s Elephant Show. CCI Entertainment’s mission is to create family entertainment that entertains, engages and fuels imaginations.

CCI Entertainment’s Executive Producer, Arnie Zipursky is pleased to announce that CCI began production February 2012 on an original feature documentary for Animal Planet Canada. Entitled “Paws For Autism” this unique concept investigates the roles animals can play in changing the lives of those with Autism. Under the creative vision of Writer & Director Fern Levitt, CCI is set to deliver documentary August 2012.

Can an eighty pound, bouncy, fur ball of unconditional love and loyalty change the life of a lonely little boy who lives in the mysterious world of autism? “Paws for Autism” takes an in depth look at the lives of two autistic children, Braydon & Ezra, their world before being introduced to their service dogs and the subsequent effects of sharing their lives with these beloved animals. Are these dogs able to penetrate into Braydon & Ezra’s closed off world and open them to ours?

There is no cure for autism, some respond to treatment, some have little or no response at all, and many parents are left desperately searching for a window into their child’s world. The answer could very well lie in the intuitive ability of “mans best friend” to break through the fortress of autism and find the child within.

“CCI is thrilled to be working with Animal Planet on this ground-breaking documentary,” says Zipursky. “Our hope for ‘Paws for Autism’ is that it sheds much needed light on an incredibly complex condition while exploring the extraordinary role service dogs can play in the life of a child with autism.”

CCI Entertainment Ltd. (Cambium Catalyst International)
CCI Entertainment is one of Canada’s leading independent production and distribution companies with a successful track record spanning twenty years. CCI has been particularly recognized in the area of family programming, having been responsible for thousands of hours of award-winning television for the world market including: Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs, Erky Perky and Ghost Trackers as well as Monster By Mistake, Timeblazers, Shining Time Station and Sharon, Lois & Bram’s Elephant Show. CCI Entertainment’s mission is to create family entertainment that entertains, engages and fuels imaginations.

 CCI Entertainment is pleased to announce three nominations from the Cynopsis: Kids !magination Awards. Artzooka! has been nominated in two categories: EDUCATIONAL SERIES/SPECIAL PARENT/TEACHER CURRICULUM and KIDS 2-11 SERIES EDUCATIONAL. GeoFreakZ, the latest transmedia offering from CCI has been nominated in the category of VIDEOGAME BASED ON A SERIES. The Cynoposis: Kids !magination Awards will take place in New York City on June 6th, 2012.

Artzooka! is a live action/ cgi blended art series for boys and girls age 4-10 showing them that art is everywhere, in everything and that there is an artist in everyone! What will you Artzooka! today? Artzooka! currently airs in over 60 markets including France Television, Nickelodeon Asia and Discovery Latin America.

The series is produced in association with the Canadian Broadcasting Commission and with the financial participation of the Shaw Rocket Fund.

GeoFreakZ is a unique transmedia experience for kids ages 7-12 that follows a comedic team of teenagers who are working their way through training at the GeoFreakZ Academ. Here they embark on geocaching adventures in order to save the planet. Components include: Multi-Media Online Game, Minisodes, & multiple live events. The property launched on TELETOON last year an will be launching in other key markets over the coming months.

The property is produced with the participation of the Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund and the Ontario Media Development Corporation.

CCI Entertainment is one of Canada’s leading independent production and distribution companies with a successful track record spanning twenty years. CCI has been particularly recognized in the area of family programming, having been responsible for thousands of hours of award-winning family movies and television for the world market including: Sharon, Lois & Bram’s Elephant Show, Shining Time Station, Timeblazers and Monster By Mistake. CCI Entertainment’s mission is to create family entertainment that entertains, engages and fuels imaginations.

 CCI Releasing and Dolphin Entertainment have acquired the world-wide distribution rights for six movies produced by Rome-based Leader Film Company. These titles initially debuted on Italy’s Mediaset earlier this month.  All of the made-for-television thrillers will be premiered next month to world buyers at the upcoming MIP TV, making them an exciting addition to CCI Entertainment’s first-run offerings.

The titles include; Visions of Murder, The Captives, Souvenirs, Under Protection, Twins and Tailor-Made Murder and feature several talented actors including: Rob Estes, Erica Durance, Kevin Sorbo, Katrina Law, Marco Leonardi, and Craig Bierko.

“We are so pleased to add these titles to CCI’s expanding film library and very excited to build our relationship with U.S. based Dolphin Entertainment,” says Arnie Zipursky, CEO of CCI Entertainment. “The acquisition of these titles just prior to MIP TV demonstrates our on-going commitment to the movie space and our ability to meet the needs of buyers in all genres”

“Dolphin is thrilled to be collaborating with CCI on these very commercial titles,” says Christine Perrin, SVP of International Sales for Dolphin Entertainment.  “We look forward to an ongoing relationship with CCI, and are confident that their stellar distribution team will enjoy great success placing these movies in both leading and emerging markets around the world.”

“Leader is extremely excited for this strategic distribution partnership with both Dolphin and CCI,” explains Cristina Zucchiatti Monteverde, Producer for LeaderFilm Company.  “We have taken great pride in producing these English-language titles for Mediaset, and hope to share them with audiences around the world.” 

CCI Entertainment Ltd. (Cambium Catalyst International)

CCI’s movie library boasts films including the BBC Co-Production I Was a Rat (starring Tom Conti and Brenda Fricker), Fast Food High (starring Alison Pill), Alice Upside Down (Alyson Stoner and Penny Marshall), THE RIDE nominated for five Monte Carlo Film Festival Awards and the critically acclaimed feature film and mini series IRON ROAD – winner of both the Gemini & Roma Fiction Fest Award for Best Actress Sun Li. The film also stars Peter O’Toole and Sam Neil.

CCI Entertainment continues to be an industry leader by developing and distributing content that entertains, engages and fuels imaginations including its most recent Transmedia Productions, Geofreakz and Artzooka!.

CCI Entertainment is one of Canada’s leading independent production, distribution and licensing companies with a successful track record spanning twenty five years. CCI has been particularly recognized in the area of family television, lifestyle programming, documentaries and movies having been responsible for thousands of hours of award-winning entertainment for the world market.

 Dolphin Entertainment Inc.

 Founded by Executive Producer Bill O’Dowd, Dolphin Entertainment has been a leading player in international television financing, co-productions, and distribution for nearly 20 years.  Over the past 2 decades Dolphin has produced over 400 hours of quality television programming.  The company is notable for their versatility in genres, having financed, produced, and distributed a wide range of content including: Live-Action Tween Series, Family TV movies, Thrillers, Event Mini-Series and Telenovelas. Dolphin’s programming can be seen in over 300 million homes worldwide.  Though proudly independent, Dolphin’s unique financing & co-production capabilities have enabled collaboration with some of the world’s leading media companies, such as:  Warner Brothers, Viacom, Sony, Turner, and Astral Media.

TORONTO (March 12, 2012) CCI Entertainment Ltd. is pleased to announce that preschool series Joe and Jack has been acquired by Disney Junior Latin America. The series (39 x 7 mins) is being produced by Ireland’s Dancing Girl Productions.

Joe and Jack will be dubbed into both Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese for Disney Junior Latin America.

Joe and Jack revolves around the comedic adventures of a boy Joe, and his best friend Jack. The only catch, Jack is a cat! The daring duo turn the ordinary into the extraordinary by using their imaginations to make dreams come true. The series embodies themes of friendship and fun and tackles preschool challenges.

“We are thrilled that Joe and Jack has found a great home with Disney Junior in Latin America” said Federico Vargas, Director of Sales, Latin America, Iberia, CEEMEA. “We are confident that the series will perform well in the territory and look forward to a successful launch.”

CCI Entertainment Ltd. (Cambium Catalyst International) CCI Entertainment is one of Canada’s leading independent production and distribution companies with a successful track record spanning twenty years. CCI has been particularly recognized in the area of family programming, having been responsible for thousands of hours of award-winning television for the world market including: Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs, Erky Perky and Ghost Trackers as well as Monster By Mistake, Timeblazers, Shining Time Station and Sharon, Lois & Bram’s Elephant Show. CCI Entertainment’s mission is to create family entertainment that entertains, engages and fuels imaginations.

 For further information contact:

Joanna Bryden

CCI Entertainment

+1 (416) 583-2919

CCI Entertainment’s Co-Chairman, Arnie Zipursky is pleased to announce that CCI Releasing will be introducing 26 episodes of a new CGI series, JERRY AND THE RAIDERS, which has been officially green lit and begins production next month. The property has been developed and will be co-produced in partnership with CCI Entertainment and Montreal’s Fake Studios and First Star Studios. The series is created by Mark Shekter and Nancy Trites Botkin of First Star Studios. Funding also from CMF and Shaw Rocket Fund.

The property, aimed at kids 4 – 8, will launch in 2013 on TVO in Ontario and SRC in Quebec and will hit the ground running with 26 x 11 minute episodes. The property will also include an exciting online experience using specially created apps for mobile, tablet and other platforms that blend cutting-edge technology with augmented reality that will redefine how a child interacts with entertainment.

JERRY AND THE RAIDERS follows the life of Jerry, a naturally curious 7 year old boy whose life is turned upside down when two of his toy action figures – THE GALACTIC RAIDERS – mysteriously come to life. Jerry’s life spins comically out of control as his toys try to solve the mysteries of the everyday world of a child, and get Jerry tangled up in daily adventures…or is it disasters?

“We are extremely excited about heading into production on this property”, said CCI’s Zipursky. “The scripts are extremely well written and the designs are fun and unique.”

“Every boy’s toys are alive and real”, said Nancy Trites Botkin, First Star’s co-creator of the series. “But figuring out the mysteries of everyday life with them – that’s a great adventure”.

“We love creating series that entertain worldwide audiences and this series comes to life with the magic of animation, comedy and music”, said Mark Shekter, First Star’s co-creator and President.

“FAKE is very exited to bring technology advancement to “JERRY AND THE RAIDERS” said Mark Coté, owner of Fake Studio. “The integration of a highly original online media strategy linked with the television broadcasts will greatly enhance the user experience”.

CCI Entertainment Ltd. (Cambium Catalyst International)

CCI Entertainment is one of Canada’s leading independent production and distribution companies with a successful track record spanning twenty years. CCI has been particularly recognized in the area of family programming, having been responsible for thousands of hours of award-winning television for the world market including: Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs, Erky Perky and Ghost Trackers as well as Monster By Mistake, Timeblazers, Shining Time Station and Sharon, Lois & Bram’s Elephant Show. CCI Entertainment’s mission is to create family entertainment that entertains, engages and fuels imaginations.

First Star Studios specializes in creating, packaging and producing original award-winning TV and Film in all genres – animation, live action, mini-series, and factual entertainment. Their principals have been responsible for more than 1200 hours of TV, broadcast in over 100 markets including Vampire High, Daring & Grace:Teen Detectives, GoodTime’s Animated Classics III, A&E’s Biography and Investigative Reports, Discovery Network’s St. Michael’s Lifeline, and Animal Planet’s Zoo Diaries. With a dozen active original series currently in pre-production or development, First Star Studios vision is: “Media That Empowers” (www.firststarinternational.com)

FAKE STUDIO is an alternative digital content house working in the fields of film, television and the Internet. By incorporating the latest inventive technologies under one roof, FAKE allows for the A-Z creation of projects from concept through to shooting and visual effects. The studio specializes in Production and Post Production in Cinema, VFX, Commercial, and Web sites. Its multiple award-winning credits include the films 300, The Aviator, The Fountain, CRAZY, The Last Casino, and most recently Café de Flore. Commercial productions include the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas and web advertising for Adidas.

Jill Keenleyside, Executive Vice President, CCI ENTERTAINMENT, is pleased to announce Rekha Shah’s appointment to Vice President of Distribution and Co-Production. In this role Rekha will be managing CCI Releasing’s growing international library and executive sales team. “Rekha has become an integral part of the CCI team. Her fresh ideas and energy make this a very exciting move for us.” says Keenleyside.

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In addition to her role within CCI Releasing, Rekha will work closely with Co-Chairmen, Charles Falzon and Arnie Zipursky on the packaging of original content. “We welcome Rekha’s wonderful enthusiasm and entrepreneurial vision at a time when CCI has expanded its international library and development slates with new feature films, TV movies, prime time drama, lifestyle/factual and children’s properties” says Co-Chair and CEO Arnie Zipursky.

Rekha Shah states, “I am thrilled to be part of such a well respected team and look forward to continuing to grow our presence internationally. CCI is extremely well positioned as a distributor and producer with both a keen sense of the market and long-standing relationships with key international broadcasters. In my new role we will continue to create and sell commercially driven properties that respond to market demand.”

“We are really pleased that Artzooka! is performing so well on Discovery Familia” said Federico Vargas, Director of Sales – Latin America, Iberia, CEEMEA . “We are thrilled to be able to offer a localized Spanish version of the series to children throughout the US. Discovery Familia has always been an extremely supportive partner and we look forward to building the brand with them on multiple platforms.”

“We are proud to bring Artzooka! to U.S. Hispanic audiences. This customized version of one of the best children’s series aligns with our network’s core values of creating life longer learners and helping our preschool audience reach their maximum potential”, said Bilai Joa Silar, Vice President and Channel Director, Discovery Familia.

Artzooka! targets children ages four to seven and focuses on a range of art techniques to show kids that everyone can be an artist and that art can be made out of anything and everything. The property features cutting edge digital elements, electronic art and includes bizarre, animated characters who contribute to the show’s upbeat, off-the-wall energy. All of the art projects are easily mastered and accessible to children, while at the same time being inventive and dazzling…What will you Artzooka! today?

Artzooka! now airs in over 65 markets worldwide, with 5 localized versions of the internationally acclaimed production.

About Discovery Familia     

Part of Discovery Communications, Discovery Familia is the only Spanish language network completely dedicated to the Hispanic mom and what’s important to her: her kids, her home and her well-being.  With insightful programming targeted to children aged 2-6, the network’s daily Discovery Kids block provides a safe, entertaining and curriculum-based co-viewing experience that helps preschoolers get ready for the real world.  Each night, Discovery Familia is programmed for mom, spanning relevant topics from cooking and home improvement, to parenting and relationships, to beauty and health.  With trusted content, entertaining programs and unmatched quality, Discovery Familia is a place that Hispanic moms and their children can call “home”.

CCI Entertainment Ltd. (Cambium Catalyst International) CCI Entertainment is one of Canada’s leading independent production and distribution companies with a successful track record spanning twenty years. CCI has been particularly recognized in the area of family programming, having been responsible for thousands of hours of award-winning television for the world market including: Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs, Erky Perky and Ghost Trackers as well as Monster By Mistake, Timeblazers, Shining Time Station and Sharon, Lois & Bram’s Elephant Show. CCI Entertainment’s mission is to create family entertainment that entertains, engages and fuels imaginations.

For further information contact:

Joanna Bryden

CCI Entertainment

+1 (416) 583-2919

The GeoFreakZ world includes a dynamic multiplayer online game, a series of 44 mini-sodes and a slate of real life challenges, all revolving around the outdoor adventure sport of geocaching. 

Real life geocaching can be most easily described as high-tech treasure-hunting.  Gamers log on to geocaching.com to find the approximate location of hidden caches (small containers that include trinkets and other special items). Then, they search for the caches using a GPS device or smartphone.  Once uncovered, individuals take a trinket from the cache, leave one in return and log their find. Geocaching is the fastest-growing adventure sport worldwide with over five million geocachers across the globe.

The online environment of GeoFreakZ offers kids the ability to create their own avatar, communicate with other GeoFreakZ and challenge themselves with a range of geocaching games and challenges.

The GeoFreakZ brand’s 44 animated mini-sodes, which feature a cast of cool and crazy teenage geocaching aliens, air several times a week on TELETOON. Each mini-sode offers viewers embedded clues that lead to enhanced play and virtual prizes in the online game.

To create GeoFreakZ, CCI Entertainment partnered with Groundspeak Inc., a US-based organization that runs geocaching.com, the largest geocaching registration site in the world.

“Over the past few years, geocaching has grown rapidly throughout the world,” says Bryan Roth, Co-founder and Vice-President of Groundspeak.  “We believe that GeoFreakZ will encourage Canadian children and parents to get outside and have fun geocaching.  As a parent, I’ve witnessed the effectiveness of leveraging online gaming to inspire outdoor play and I believe this is another great step forward for everyone.”

“GeoFreakZ directly connects the real world and healthy outdoor family activity with a Massive Multiplayer Online Game and a series of comedic animated mini-sodes,” says CCI co-Chairman Arnie Zipursky.  “Our partnership with Groundspeak and geocaching.com will further this connection and provide endless opportunities to connect the online and on-air worlds to the real life adventure sport.”  The partnership with Groundspeak means that kids whose families are registered on geocaching.com can automatically earn bonus points and unique virtual prizes in the GeoFreakZ game environment any time they find and log a cache.

Connecting real life geocaching with an online game environment is part of GeoFreakZ’s innovative cross-platform approach.   CCI has also partnered with Parks Canada to create national geocaching events to be launched in the spring of 2012.  More information about the Parks Canada events will be announced early in the new year.

GeoFreakZ has also begun working with Magellan, one of the largest manufacturers of GPS equipment worldwide, on a series of initiatives including branded products for kids and families.

In addition, CCI is developing a slate of live events that includes a traveling GeoFreakZ Academy and special GeoFreakZ Familycache Funday promotions.