Focus signs prestigious Scholastic titles

Focus Multimedia | Focus Multimedia has further strengthened its range of strongly branded children's software with the signing of a prestigious publishing agreement with global children's publishing and media company - Scholastic.

This exciting new partnership will see Focus licensing numerous highly successful children's titles from Scholastic including 'I Spy^TM Fantasy', 'I Spy^TM Treasure Hunt', 'I Spy^TM School Days', 'I Spy^TM Spooky Mansion', 'I Spy^TM Junior' and 'I Spy^TM Junior Puppet Playhouse'.

I Spy^TM was created by Jean Marzollo and Walter Wick, and is an award-winning series of books, software, puzzles, and games for children that cleverly connect fun and learning. I Spy^TM combines intriguing photographs of familiar objects with rich rhyming riddles to create brain-teasing puzzles that children can't resist, encouraging them to learn thinking skills, word-object association, number recognition, visual discrimination, problem solving and creativity.

The award-winning I Spy^TM PC CD-ROM series has been a consistent top-seller in the United States with more than 1.2 million units sold and more than 50 awards including three Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Awards, the SIIA Codie Award, and the Milia D'Or Award for Best Children's Software. Focus are extremely excited that they have been chosen to license this very strong portfolio of products that have already been incredibly successful in the United States and that will now be available in the UK for the very first time.

Adding further strength to the I Spy^TM brand is an animated play along adventure TV series for children currently showing seven days a week at 11:00am and 6.00pm on Nickelodeon Junior. Each episode is divided into two fun-filled adventure stories in which Spyler and CeCe attempt to find the four hidden objects featured in a riddle.

I Spy Treasure Hunt - Ages 5 to 10

Exploring Smuggler's Cove and playing I Spy riddles cleverly reveal pieces of three mysterious treasure maps. Assemble the pieces and follow the clues on your exciting hunt to discover the unique treasures left behind by the town's legendary pirates. Be careful..."X" doesn't always mark the spot!

I Spy Spooky Mansion - Ages 5 to 10

I Spy Spooky Mansion invites children on a journey through a mysterious old house. Explore ten creepy rooms filled with I Spy picture riddles and multi-levelled games, while building skills in problem solving, reading, vocabulary development, and creativity. The more riddles you solve, the closer you come to the game's thrilling finale.

I Spy School Days - Ages 5 to 10

In nine unique play areas, children tackle clever riddles, race against the clock playing Oops Hoops and Codebreaker, or search for objects that make the Balloon Popper work. They can even make their own I Spy picture riddle. I Spy School Days challenges kids to use their brains.

I Spy Fantasy - Ages 5 to 10

Explore three fantastical worlds filled with unique characters, fun games and challenging I SPY riddles. Search for lost treasures beneath the sea, command a mission on an alien planet, or invade a castle to defeat the dragon and rescue the princess. Encounter challenges and wonderful surprises in these exciting adventures!

I Spy Junior - Ages 3 to 5

Open up the box and discover charming picture riddles, puzzles, and multi-levelled games for children aged 3-5. I Spy Junior features humorous animations and lively music that motivates children to play again and again. In addition, the game's developmentally appropriate activities strengthen early learning skills and encourage creative play.

I Spy Junior: Puppet Playhouse - Ages 3 to 5

Children aged three to five use their thinking skills to solve dozens of riddles, put together delightful puppets, sort fantastic puppet props, and create their own unique stage sets. Each activity emphasizes important skills such as reading, problem solving, and creativity. I Spy Junior: Puppet Playhouse inspires young minds to grow!

Craig Johnson, Managing Director of Focus commented, "We are looking forward to working with Scholastic - a highly trusted brand name strongly linked with education and learning. We are very pleased that Scholastic has chosen us to license their extremely strong product portfolio that has already been incredibly successful in the United States and that will now be available in the UK for the very first time. The licensing of this new deal will also continue to strengthen our position in the non-games market." He further added "With our knowledge and experience we are one of the few companies who can offer a total understanding of the retailing process and the expertise to secure sales and promotional opportunities outside of the traditional computing channels."

Aleen Stein, Director of International Licensing of Scholastic's Software Group added, "Scholastic is excited about partnering with Focus Multimedia to bring these titles to the UK market. Focus' excellent reputation in making great children's software programs available in multiple channels at great value matches well with Scholastic's reputation for developing the best educational games and providing them at affordable prices everywhere. We look forward to a long relationship involving future titles as well."

I Spy^TM Fantasy, I Spy^TM Treasure Hunt, I Spy^TM School Days, I Spy^TM Spooky Mansion, I Spy^TM Junior and I Spy^TM Junior Puppet Playhouse are now available in DVD style packaging, priced at £9.99 each.

About Focus Multimedia:

Focus Multimedia is the leading PC CD-ROM budget software publisher by value in UK retail (Source: Chart Track), specialising in high quality, affordable PC CD-ROMs aimed at both children and adults. The Focus Essential range consists of over 200 titles priced at £9.99 each in 9 different categories - including Games, Lifestyle, Creativity, Knowledge and Travel. Focus Multimedia has distribution channels into major retail outlets such as PC World, WHSmith, Staples, Game, via the Internet through www.amazon.co.uk as well as non-traditional chains.

About Scholastic:

Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries, and television networks; and the Company's Internet Site, www.scholastic.com

For further information please contact:

Grant Hughes - PR & Marketing Manager [email protected]

Emma Warburton - PR & Marketing Executive [email protected]

Lucy Carter -PR & Marketing Executive [email protected]

Kate Vigar - PR & Marketing Executive [email protected]

Tel: +44 (0) 1889 570156 Fax: +44 (0) 1889 583571

www.focusmm.co.uk