BETTY BOOP TO STAR IN NEW ANIMATED TELEVISION SERIES

Original Animation Aimed at a New Generation of Fans
To Be Produced by Normaal Animation in Partnership with
Fleischer Studios and King Features

PARIS, LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK, February – Betty Boop, the iconic character created by legendary animator Max Fleischer, returns to toons with a new animated television series being developed by Normaal Animation, the producer of the “Peanuts” TV series.

Aimed at tweens and teens, the 26×26-minute episodes recount the daily struggles, joys and victories of young Betty Boop, who has every intention of being on stage and becoming a superstar.

Slated for release in 2018, the series will be produced by France–based Normaal studios in partnership with Fleischer Studios and King Features, the New York City-based unit of Hearst and exclusive worldwide licensing agent for Betty Boop.

“We are delighted to be partnering with an innovative production company such as Normaal Animation,” said Mark Fleischer, President and CEO of Los Angeles-based Fleischer Studios. “My grandfather, Max Fleischer, created Betty Boop as a fun, feisty and fashionable female – and she has proven to be a character for all time. It is extremely gratifying to know that this new television series will introduce Max’s beloved icon to new generations of fans in an engaging, relatable way.”

“Few cartoon characters are loved the world over. Few cartoon characters know how to combine glamour with sass, and independence… and very few have so much heart!!” said Alexis Lavillat, Director and CEO of N O R M AA L. “Ever since her creation by that genius of animation, Max Fleischer, Betty Boop has remained unique. It’s an honor and an immense pleasure today for N O R M AA L to share its talents with this incredible star. Betty Boop will always symbolize the young modern woman.”

Normaal International will handle worldwide financing and all future global distribution.

The series marks the first time the appealing character has starred in her own show in 30 years.

The release will be supported by King Features licensing and merchandising to introduce the Betty Boop brand to a new generation of fans.

About Normaal Animation

Since being founded in 2002, N O R M AA L has been among the most innovative and creative producers of cartoon series. This French studio takes full advantage of its independence by having an editorial line that combines original programs with select adaptations of monuments in graphic narration. N O R M AA L productions are entirely homemade in their Paris and Angoulême studios, a mark of identity much appreciated by their historic partners, such as France Télévisions, Canal + and the numerous screens that broadcast TANGERINE & Cow, GASTON by Franquin, A.R.T. Investigation throughout the world and will soon be featuring COPY CUT, ONN / OFF, HELLO, IT’S NINOO, SHAZZAM Super 2000, HELLO WORLD, and… PEANUTS ! « For more information, please visit www.normaal.fr.

About Betty Boop and Fleischer Studios:

First introduced in 1930, Betty Boop was created by Max Fleischer for his “Talkartoons” series, the first “talkies” of animation, which Max’s company, Fleischer Studios, produced for Paramount. Mae Questel provided Betty’s distinctive voice. By 1932 Betty, considered to be the first and only female animated screen star, had taken the country by storm. Betty starred in more than 100 cartoons, 90 of which are included in the official “Betty Boop” series, which ended in 1939. Since then, Betty has appeared in dozens of hit movies, television specials and commercials. She was the first cartoon character to be profiled by A&E’s “Biography” series.

As the worldwide exclusive licensing agent for Betty Boop, King Features works closely with Fleischer Studios (www.fleischerstudios.com) to keep Betty entertaining millions of fans and collectors worldwide. Betty Boop’s popularity today shines through her prevalence in pop culture. She is one of the most popular and successful licensed characters in entertainment history, with nearly 200 licensees in the United States and nearly twice as many internationally that produce quality products bearing Betty’s likeness in virtually every category. The official Betty Boop Web site is www.bettyboop.com.

About King Features Syndicate

King Features Syndicate is a member of Hearst Entertainment and Syndication Group, which combines Hearst Corporation’s cable network partnerships, TV programming activities, newspaper syndication and merchandise licensing operations. King Features is the world’s premier distributor of syndicated features to newspapers, magazines, web portals, mobile outlets and news organizations worldwide. It is one of the largest and most experienced organizations in merchandise licensing and entertainment. In addition to Betty Boop, it represents some of the most recognizable global brands, including Popeye the Sailor Man, Flash Gordon, The Phantom, and Hägar the Horrible. For more information, please visit www.kingfeatures.com. Follow us on Twitter @KingFeatures. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KingFeatures.