San Francisco, CA, October 26, 2006 — VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies has selected Licensing & Promotions Latin America as its new representative for ZATCH BELL! and NARUTO in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia.

Licensing & Promotions Latin America represents King Features, Spellbound, Sulake, New Line Cinema and Rainbow among others. They will be an extension of VIZ Media within these markets and represent VIZ Media to local licensees, retailers and promotional partners.

"Since ZATCH BELL! and NARUTO are already such tremendous hits in North America, Europe and Asia, we are excited to see these properties gaining momentum in Latin America," said Daniel Marks, Senior Vice President, International, VIZ Media. "Having Licensing & Promotions Latin America partner with us is a perfect fit for success."

"Knowing what great properties ZATCH BELL! and NARUTO are, we were thrilled to be chosen as one of VIZ Media's Latin American partners," said Licensing & Promotion's International Director, Ben Carter. "These two properties are going to explode on the Latin American scene in 2007 and we are excited and ready to be a part of it."

NARUTO has become one of VIZ Media's most successful manga properties in terms of sales. The series, by Masashi Kishimoto, depicts the adventures of a young boy who trains to become a ninja has sold more than 66 million copies in Japan since its 1999 debut. In North America, the massive amount of fan interest in the brand continues to build. In addition to the manga series, the NARUTO anime counterpart is a ratings powerhouse on Cartoon Network. VIZ Media also recently released the first few volumes of the anime series on DVD and it continues to be a huge seller. VIZ Media was named the Master Licensor in February 2005, obtaining the television, home video and merchandising rights to NARUTO for North America and Latin America.

ZATCH BELL!, is an action-packed series aimed at kids 6-14 is based on the popular manga created by Makoto Raiku. A huge success in Japan, ZATCH BELL! now has a dedicated following in North America since it's debut. on The Cartoon Network and YTV in Canada last year. In addition to the manga, ZATCH BELL! has spawned a wide range of consumer products in the U.S. and Canada including toys, video games, home entertainment, apparel, and a collectible card game.

Licensing and Promotions Latin America also has local presence in Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru. They are headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico.

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.

back to the top