HIT Entertainment Digital Newsroom

Thomas Y Sus Amigos Are Full Steam Ahead Into Mexico With The Exclusive Launch Of The Take-Along Thomas Toy Line At Liverpool

05/14/2008

New York, NY

HIT Entertainment, one of the world's leading independent children's entertainment producers and rights-owners, has inked an exclusive deal with Liverpool, a leading department store chain in Mexico, to launch Thomas & Friends™ (Thomas Y Sus Amigos) toys in the country for the first time. Starting on April 30 - Mexico's Kids' Day - Liverpool will introduce a dedicated Thomas Y Sus Amigos section in all 68 of their stores, including more than 20 SKUS from Learning Curve Brand, Inc.'s sturdy and portable Take Along Thomas Y Sus Amigos line, including engines, vehicles, playsets and accessories, as well as Thomas Y Sus Amigos DVDs from Tycoon.

The dedicated Thomas Y Sus Amigos areas will feature branded signage, such as toppers, headers and shelf strips. In celebration of this launch, Liverpool will host events in their top 10 stores on May 17 and 18. The instore promotion will include Thomas Y Sus Amigos storytelling, coloring activity stations and a Thomas Y Sus Amigos-themed photo opportunity.

"We are thrilled to introduce Thomas Y Sus Amigos toys to children and families in Mexico for the first time," said Pam Westman, Senior Vice President, HIT Entertainment, Canada & Latin America. "The brand is gaining a big following in the country, through broadcast and home entertainment and we are confident that the toy line will be a huge success as well. Liverpool, with their extensive reach and leading market position, is the perfect venue for these high-quality toys that foster creativity and imaginative play."

Thomas Y Sus Amigos has broadcast daily in Mexico on Discovery Kids since 2002. Thomas Y Sus Amigos Home Entertainment launched its first title in Mexico in November 2007 with great success. Tycoon Entertainment Group will launch three more titles in 2008, including "Thomas De Nuevo En Acción," available in stores starting May 1st.

To download artwork, please visit www.hitnewsonline.com

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About Thomas & Friends

Thomas & Friends invites children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story. Thomas the Tank Engine was created by a father for his son more than 60 years ago. Today, families in more than 145 countries enjoy fun and adventure with their engine friends while experiencing timeless life lessons of discovery, friendship and cooperation. Thomas & Friends is making tracks to great destinations on PBS KIDS® and PBS KIDS Sprout℠. For more information about the world of Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends, please visit www.thomasandfriends.com.

About HIT Entertainment

HIT Entertainment, owned by private equity investment group Apax Partners since June 2005, is one of the world’s leading independent children’s entertainment producers and rights-owners. HIT’s portfolio includes internationally renowned children’s properties, such as Bob the Builder™, Barney™, Thomas & Friends™, Pingu™, Rubbadubbers™ and Angelina Ballerina™. HIT acts as a representative for The Wiggles® in the UK, US and Canada and as worldwide representative for The Jim Henson Company’s library of classic family brands, including Fraggle Rock™. HIT also owns the Guinness World Records™ publishing and television property and Fireman Sam™, a joint venture with S4C. Launched in 1989, HIT’s lines of business span television and video production (including studios in the US and the UK), publishing, consumer products licensing and live events. With a catalog of more than 1,000 hours of young children’s programming, HIT sells its shows to more than 240 countries worldwide, in more than 40 different languages and has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan. In 2005, the Company joined Comcast Corporation, PBS and Sesame Workshop to launch PBS KIDS Sprout℠, a 24-hour digital cable channel and VOD service for preschoolers. For more information, visit www.hitentertainment.com.

About Learning Curve Brands, Inc.

Learning Curve Brands, Inc. (www.learningcurve.com) is a wholly owned subsidiary of RC2 Corporation (NASDAQ: RCRC, www.rc2.com) and is a leading designer, producer and marketer of innovative, high-quality toys, collectibles, and infant and toddler products. Learning Curve Brands, Inc. markets its infant, toddler and preschool products under its Learning Curve® family of brands which includes The First Years® by Learning Curve and Lamaze brands as well as popular and classic licensed properties such as Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder, Winnie the Pooh, John Deere, Nickelodeon and Sesame Street. The Company's youth and adult products are marketed under the Johnny Lightning® (www.johnnylightning.com) and Ertl®, (www.ertl.com) brands. Learning Curve Brands, Inc. reaches its target consumers through multiple channels of distribution supporting more than 25,000 retail outlets throughout North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia Pacific.