New York, NY – June 20, 2006 – Disney (NYSE: DIS) opened Licensing International 2006 in New York by revealing Brittany Murphy as the voice of the sassy and spunky fairy for the 2007 release of Tinker Bell. In the tradition of its many animated classics, Disney will bring to life an enchanting tale of Pixie Hollow and Tink’s new fairy friends voiced by some of Hollywood’s most talented actors.
“I’ve had the good fortune of playing many interesting characters, but none as magical as Tinker Bell,” said Ms. Murphy. “To give Tinker Bell a voice for the first time in history is such an honor.”
Tinker Bell will be the first time audiences hear Tinker Bell speak, as the movie brings to life the amazing world of Disney Fairies in all-new CG-animation. The movie, to release globally in Fall 2007 by DisneyToon Studios and Walt Disney Home Entertainment, will be supported with a strong marketing campaign and a broad consumer products line at major retailers around the world.
“Tinker Bell is such an indelible character to pop-culture even without a voice,” said Dick Cook, chairman of Walt Disney Studios. “She is sassy, feisty and independent. Brittany’s distinctive voice and superb talent will bring all these qualities to life, as well as show new sides to Tink’s personality. Audiences will get to know Tinker Bell like never before, and I am sure will fall in love with her all over again.”
Disney Fairies’ Heritage Rooted in Storytelling
Disney Fairies launched in September 2005 with the worldwide launch of Disney Publishing’s “Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg” novel, which spent 20 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Over one million books were released in 33 languages and in 51 countries.
Disney Fairies builds upon the enormous popularity of Tinker Bell and introduces children to her secret, magical world and a new circle of enchanting fairy friends – each with an incredibly diverse talent, personality and look. In 2006, Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is supporting the franchise with a series of best-selling chapter books; small dolls and role-play items; a Disney Fairies magazine launch in Europe; and a multi-category product launch scheduled for Spring 2007.
DCP Announces ’06 Retail Sales for the Division and Disney Princess
Also today at the 2006 Licensing International, Andy Mooney, chairman of DCP, expressed confidence that retail sales for the current fiscal year would reach $23 billion, an increase of 10% over last year.
“We continue to see expansion in our evergreen franchises like Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Power Rangers and Disney Princess but newer properties like Baby Einstein, That’s So Raven, Disney*Pixar’s Cars and Pirates of the Caribbean are helping to fuel our growth as well,” said Mr. Mooney. “Our focus on global key accounts and shift to new business models such as direct-to-retail programs enable DCP to bring more quality products to customers at competitive prices.”
For more information, please visit: www.disneyconsumerproducts.com
About Disney Consumer Products
Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is the business segment of The Walt Disney Company that extends the Disney brand to merchandise ranging from apparel, toys, home décor and books to interactive games, food and beverages, stationery, electronics and animation art. This is accomplished through the work of DCP’s various lines of business: Disney Toys, Disney Softlines, Disney Home, Disney Food, Health & Beauty, Disney Stationery, Disney Publishing, Buena Vista Games, Baby Einstein, the Muppets Holding Company and Disney Shopping, Inc.’s catalog and disneyshopping.com. The Disney Store, which debuted in 1987, also falls under DCP, through stores currently owned and operated by unaffiliated third parties under licensing agreements in North America and Japan, and wholly owned stores in Europe.
About DisneyToon
DisneyToon Studios is a division of Walt Disney Pictures. As the industry leader producing animated feature films for the home entertainment market, DisneyToon Studios extends the magic of Disney’s animated franchises by creating new stories for the world’s most beloved and enduring characters such as Mickey Mouse, Bambi, Simba and Tinker Bell
About Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Walt Disney Home Entertainment is distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc., a recognized industry leader. Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc. is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax, Dimension and Buena Vista videocassettes and DVDs.