Pan South American Confectionery Licensing Program For Beloved Feline Robot Character

San Francisco, CA, March 7, 2006 — How sweet it is! VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive manga and animation licensing and publishing companies, has entered into a licensing partnership with Ferrero, leading chocolate products/confectionery maker, to produce chocolate candy eggs featuring premiums of DORAEMON, the loveable cat-type robot that has become a significant Japanese icon throughout the world.

Ferrero, known for its Ferrero Rocher, Nutella and Tic-Tac brand mints, will produce Kinder Surprise chocolate eggs featuring premiums of DORAEMON for consumers in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras, as well as Kinder Joy, shaped plastic eggs containing chocolate cream with a surprise DORAEMON figurine inside, for Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela.

"Ferrero has an outstanding reputation for producing exciting promotions, and we're thrilled to translate the sweet personality of DORAEMON into a product people of all ages can enjoy," said Dan Marks, Senior Vice President, International, VIZ Media. "DORAEMON is perfectly suited for the Latin American market because of its humor, family-oriented storyline and endearing characters. We're confident that Ferrero will create delectable treats that capture these extraordinary traits."

DORAEMON is one of the most famous characters in all of Japan. The equivalent of Mickey Mouse in the U.S., DORAEMON and his namesake series symbolize to many the idiosyncrasies and adventures of childhood. In Japan there are over 1,000 episodes of the television series and over 25 feature films released. The extensive licensing program includes publishing, merchandise, events, attractions and much more. DORAEMON is a humorous children's story about a boy named Nobi Nobita who is so unlucky, weak and lazy that his descendants had to send the family robot back in time to help him out. The robot is Doraemon and his four-dimensional pocket produces any number of futuristic gadgets and devices meant to help Nobita become something other than a complete failure in adulthood. Though smart and caring, Doraemon has his own weaknesses, and his partnership with Nobita produces triumphs and disasters, hilarious situations and occasional poignant moments.

DORAEMON can be seen on TV in the following Latin American markets: on Pay TV - Magic Kids in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Mexico; Chile on Chilevision; Colombia on Caracol TV; Ecuador, on Ecuavisa; Venezuela, on Venevision. It has also been sold in Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Paraguay and Peru.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan's largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. (ShoPro Japan), VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America and a global licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including, magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and Shojo Beat, graphic novels, videos, DVDs, audio soundtracks and develops and markets animated entertainment from initial production, television placement and distribution, to merchandise licensing and promotions for audiences and consumers of all ages.

Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546–7073; Fax (415) 546–7086; and web site at www.viz.com.

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