July 23, 200816 yr Cookie Jar Entertainment To Acquire American Greetings' Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears Properties Companies reach definitive settlement of litigation relating to Cookie Jar's acquisition of DIC Entertainment CONTACT: Jeffrey Klein, Dan Klores Communications, +1-212-981-5189; Brook Hefner, Public Relations Manager, +1-323-297-0065; or Alex Radmanovich, PELICAN Public Relations, +1-514-845-2949, both for Cookie Jar Entertainment CLEVELAND and TORONTO, July 23 -- American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) and Cookie Jar Entertainment announced today a transaction through which Cookie Jar will acquire from American Greetings the Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears properties for $195 million. The announcement was made by Cookie Jar CEO Michael Hirsh and Josef Mandelbaum, CEO Intellectual Property Group at American Greetings. Since being re-introduced in 2002, Strawberry Shortcake and the Care Bears have generated more than $5 billion combined in retail sales of licensed product. As part of the deal, Cookie Jar will acquire the rights to Sushi Pack, a new property created by Studio Espinosa and co-produced by American Greetings and DIC Entertainment. Additionally, Cookie Jar granted American Greetings a 10-year exclusive inbound licensing agreement for social expression products on all three properties. "When Cookie Jar was founded we wanted to become an international power in children's entertainment programming," said Cookie Jar's CEO Michael Hirsh. "We have been filling Cookie Jar with great properties such as Caillou, Arthur, Johnny Test and The Doodlebops. The acquisition of DIC and now Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears makes us the fastest-growing independent player in the industry." (NOTE TO EDITORS: DIC acquisition announced today in a separate press release.) Josef Mandelbaum from American Greetings added, "Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears have been synonymous with American Greetings for more than 25 years and are beloved by all. We are very confident that Cookie Jar will be able to take these two properties to new heights. This is a great outcome for our company and shareholders that has allowed us to realize significant value from all of our past efforts in these properties." With the sale, American Greetings Properties -- the entertainment and licensing division of American Greetings - will continue its efforts further developing the licensing, marketing and promotional programs for its other franchises. These include the greeting card sensation Twisted Whiskers, 80's gross out sensation Mad Balls, Holly Hobbie, TinPo and its new preschool property Maryoku Yummy. This acquisition, subject to customary closing conditions, is scheduled to close September 30, 2008. Cookie Jar and American Greetings also announced that all litigation involving DIC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (DIC), the licensing agreement between American Greetings and DIC for Strawberry Shortcake, and Cookie Jar's acquisition of DIC has been dismissed. About American Greetings Corporation American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) is one of the world's largest manufacturers of social expression products. Along with greeting cards, its product lines include gift wrap, party goods, stationery, calendars, ornaments, electronic greetings, personalized digital photo products and properties like Holly Hobbie, Twisted Whiskers, Madballs, Popples and Maryoku Yummy. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, American Greetings generates revenue of approximately $1.8 billion. For more information on the company, visit http://corporate.americangreetings.com About The Cookie Jar Group The Cookie Jar Group (http://www.thecookiejarcompany.com) is a Canadian-based, privately-held entertainment and education company focused on providing compelling programming and materials for children. Cookie Jar's private equity sponsors are Birch Hill Equity Partners and OMERS Capital Partners. Cookie Jar Entertainment Inc. and DIC Entertainment Holdings, Inc., the entertainment arms of Cookie Jar, are leading, global, independent producers, brand managers, marketers and distributors of such renowned children's properties as "The Doodlebops", "Caillou", "Hurray For Huckle!", "Johnny Test", "Magi-Nation", "Inspector Gadget", "Strawberry Shortcake", "Horseland", "Sabrina", "Madeline", "Liberty's Kids", "Sonic The Hedgehog" and "Care Bears". Through DIC, Cookie Jar is the worldwide licensor or agent for brands such as "McDonald's", "Strawberry Shortcake", "Madeline", "Mommy & Me", "The Beginner's Bible" and "Eloise". Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this release pertaining to American Greetings (the "Company") may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Federal securities laws. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historic or current facts. They use such words as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available information, but are subject to a variety of uncertainties, unknown risks and other factors concerning the Company's operations and business environment, which are difficult to predict and may be beyond the control of the Company. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by these forward-looking statements, and that could adversely affect the Company's future financial performance, include, the sale of the Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears properties. In addition, this release contains time-sensitive information that reflects management's best analysis as of the date of this release. American Greetings does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of this release. Further information concerning issues that could materially affect financial performance related to forward-looking statements can be found in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2008. SOURCE American Greetings Corporation http://corporate.americangreetings.com/media/corporatenews/2008/cn_7_23_08.html
July 24, 200816 yr Well, I know a lot of people won't find this particuarly exciting... but as a resident of the Gateway Neighborhood downtown, I certainly do. Beginning Monday July 28, CVS on the corner of 9th and Euclid will be open until 10pm (M-F). When I first moved down here in 2003 it closed at 5:30. I look at this as yet another sign of the activity and growth taking place downtown.
July 24, 200816 yr One of the biggest things on my Downtown retail wishlist crossed off. Ditto, I think recently (last month or so), the E 9th/Superior-ish location extended their hours....I could be wrong.
July 26, 200816 yr That is great news. In my month living here I've needed a late night place like that to pick up small groceries but always get to the CVS too late.
July 30, 200816 yr OK, so here is the deal... The CVS on 9th and Euclid is going to be running these new 10 pm hours through labor day as a test period. If demand warrants it, they will continue those hours, if they don't see any demand they will go back to their 7pm closing time. Personally I am implementing a policy where me and the future Mrs. will ONLY stop into CVS during 7-10pm over the next 6 weeks... I hope you all will do the same.
July 30, 200816 yr OK, so here is the deal... The CVS on 9th and Euclid is going to be running these new 10 pm hours through labor day as a test period. If demand warrants it, they will continue those hours, if they don't see any demand they will go back to their 7pm closing time. Personally I am implementing a policy where me and the future Mrs. will ONLY stop into CVS during 7-10pm over the next 6 weeks... I hope you all will do the same. That's good to hear. If I need a drug store past 9, I have to drive from Ohio City to 117th.
August 21, 200816 yr Considering how many gay people are employed by American Greetings... :roll: From newsnet5.com: Hallmark Corners Gay Marriage Card Market - American Greetings Will Not Produce Them POSTED: 9:41 am EDT August 21, 2008 UPDATED: 11:49 am EDT August 21, 2008 Not every state recognizes same-sex marriage - but Hallmark now does. After California decided to join Massachusetts in legalizing the unions, the nation's largest greeting card company began rolling out its first same-sex wedding cards this summer to meet growing demand. That puts them in a niche once served only by independent card companies, and one that No. 2 American Greetings Corp. has no plans to enter. Hallmark started offering "coming out" cards last year, and the four designs of same-sex marriage cards are being gradually released this summer and will be widely available by next year. No sales figures were available yet. The Greeting Card Association, a trade group, said it does not track how many companies provide same-sex cards but believes the number is expanding. clevelandskyscrapers.com Cleveland Skyscrapers on Instagram
August 21, 200816 yr I guess this means I can't buy locally if I want to send Ellen and Portia a card. On a more serious note, if this is worth a letter, I'd be willing to write one.
August 21, 200816 yr "has no plans to enter" can be construed various ways. It might be true they just don't have any plans in motion at the time but that might just be because they've been caught with their pants down in terms of innovating new lines. They may be #2 but my understanding is Hallmark is a magnitude larger than AG so it may also be the case of just not enough resources for a niche market. I would prefer to think it's one of these explanations rather than any sort of bigotry on AG's behalf, and will do so until proven otherwise.
August 21, 200816 yr I'm not saying bigotry at all. I'm just saying considering the (literally) dozens of gay people I know who work (or have worked in the past) at AG, and considering that Hallmark recognizes an emerging/growing market, it just seems odd - that's all. clevelandskyscrapers.com Cleveland Skyscrapers on Instagram
August 21, 200816 yr Yeah I can agree with that, it's definitely odd. I bet they'll be in the market soon though.
August 21, 200816 yr Sorry to offend any AG upper/middle managers on here but having had the opportunity to work on one fairly longterm project at AG, let's just say I found the level of incompetence at that layer of the company rather stunning. Given that, I'd say the ideas of some of the "best and brightest" there are probably never even given a hearing by the powers that be.
October 13, 200816 yr Shop and save (us): Candace Rego Canterna, the deli and seafood supervisor of Rego's Fresh Markets, shot out a "help me" e-mail to a handful of friends last week. The message was clear: Shop or we'll drop. "Now we are in a situation where we need all the business we can get," she wrote, explaining that the six Regos stores are in danger that could "bring us to an end very, very shortly." More at http://cleve.live.advance.net/tipoff/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1222677185212490.xml&coll=2&thispage=1
October 30, 200816 yr Sears outlet opening breaks records Tuesday, October 28, 2008 6:46 AM EDT By SCOT ALLYN [email protected] NORTH OLMSTED — The grand opening of a Sears Outlet store Saturday in the former Tops grocery building, 26662 Brookpark Extension, broke first-day sales records, according to a local sales associate. Kathy Federer, sales associate, said it was the 75th opening of a Sears Outlet store, which included a fundraising event for North Olmsted Hot Stove Baseball League. Post edited 9-4-09 to comply with terms of use http://morningjournal.com/articles/2008/10/28/news/business/mj169253.txt
October 30, 200816 yr "We probably had a 1,000 people come through the doors," Federer said. "Baseball players passed out food and beverages, and they raised $193 for their field." Umm $193 raised by 1,000 people? Cheapskates. But what can you expect from people who would shop at a Sears Outlet?
October 30, 200816 yr A sears? ::) Just think of it as the west side version of Filene's Basement... :)
October 30, 200816 yr A sears? ::) Just think of it as the west side version of Filene's Basement... :) If Sears/Kmart could start chasing away Walmart, I'd be thrilled and so would y'all.
October 30, 200816 yr A sears? ::) Just think of it as the west side version of Filene's Basement... :) If Sears/Kmart could start chasing away Walmart, I'd be thrilled and so would y'all. Oh No..No..No..dear!
October 30, 200816 yr A sears? ::) Just think of it as the west side version of Filene's Basement... :) If Sears/Kmart could start chasing away Walmart, I'd be thrilled and so would y'all. Oh No..No..No..dear! I'm a poor grad student and all, but I feel like I'm gonna get some kind of microscopic creepy-crawly infestation every time I walk into places like Filene's Basement and K-Mart in terms of clothing....... Ick.
October 30, 200816 yr A sears? ::) Just think of it as the west side version of Filene's Basement... :) If Sears/Kmart could start chasing away Walmart, I'd be thrilled and so would y'all. Oh No..No..No..dear! I'm not suggesting Sears over whatever botique you're partial to, just Sears over Walmart. Chicago tower vs. Arkansas red pickup truck. Proudly American made tools vs. this guy :lol: selling garbage.
October 30, 200816 yr I agree, Sears over Wal-Mart any day. They seem like a much more reputable company..they sell quality appliances and tools in a more civilized atmosphere, not just wharehoused junk. That is the mainline stores though...and the flagship on State St. Not sure about these outlets, since I haven't been to one. I want that free washing machine deal.
October 30, 200816 yr A sears? ::) Just think of it as the west side version of Filene's Basement... :) [/quot A sears? ::) Just think of it as the west side version of Filene's Basement... :) I keep forgetting we have one. I have only been to them in other cites and thought they were pretty good-better than sears. Has anyone been to the Cleveland one and how does it compare to say, Boston?
October 31, 200816 yr Comparing the Boston Filene's to a Filene's outside of Boston is like Comparing NYC to another city. Having said that, the store here is "so-so" to me. I've had relatives go there a few times and they say it's "OK".
October 31, 200816 yr A sears? ::) Just think of it as the west side version of Filene's Basement... :) If Sears/Kmart could start chasing away Walmart, I'd be thrilled and so would y'all. Oh No..No..No..dear! I'm a poor grad student and all, but I feel like I'm gonna get some kind of microscopic creepy-crawly infestation every time I walk into places like Filene's Basement and K-Mart in terms of clothing....... Ick. Agreed. k-mart/Wal-mart is alright for some things when quality doesn't matter I guess. I'm pretty frugal but one thing I do spend money on is quality clothes. I thought it would be alright to buy some basic shirts from K-Mart one time but after I ran it through the dryer, the back of the shirt was a few inches higher than the front! Steve and Barrys is just as bad though. You'll buy a shirt, wash it and won't be able to get your head through the collar lol.
October 31, 200816 yr Sears is a million times better than Wal-Mart or Target. Sears rules. I don't even see how they're comparable. JC Penny's or Macy's is more closer.
October 31, 200816 yr The only things one should buy at Sears is: [*]Tools [*]Appliances [*]Car Battery or Tires [*]Bikes and accessories
October 31, 200816 yr Funny, I've notice in the past week or so, a major advertising push by Sears on TV. I guess they have a computer set up in the home appliance section where a salesperson will help you compare the product you are thinking of buying with the competition's. If it is lower, I think they match it. Pretty cool idea.
October 31, 200816 yr Funny, I've notice in the past week or so, a major advertising push by Sears on TV. As of 5 PM today we'll be in HOLIDAY SEASON 2008. There has been a rampup of print and TV ads. It's only going to get worse. A lot of ad space was bought, prior to the severe economic turndown, but (research suggests) consumers plan on spending less this year. Even superbowl ads are behind average pace.
October 31, 200816 yr As of 5 PM today we'll be in HOLIDAY SEASON 2008. It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!!!!!!!!! :-D
October 31, 200816 yr A Jones Day NY recently opened up in Tower City...not necessarily earth-shattering news, but in light of all the bad news in the retail world these days, it is nice to see someone moving into the downtown market.
October 31, 200816 yr ^Ahem, "Jones New York" Outlet - but yeah, it's good to see something there. clevelandskyscrapers.com Cleveland Skyscrapers on Instagram
October 31, 200816 yr oops i think jones day is an accounting firm...:)..obviously i don't know mucch about womens fashion
October 31, 200816 yr Now if only J. Crew and Banana Republic would come back to TC..... And what's up with no more Panera there? Why, God, why!?!?!?!? :(
October 31, 200816 yr I wish they'd open a Potbelly there. They'd have so much business they wouldn't know what to do.
October 31, 200816 yr Jones Day does corporate law. Does Potbelly sell clothes for people with potbellies? That would be pretty cool.
October 31, 200816 yr I am forever loyal to Panera (they got their start in St. Louis as St. Louis Bread Company). Come back to downtown!!! Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!!!!!!!
October 31, 200816 yr Now if only J. Crew and Banana Republic would come back to TC..... And what's up with no more Panera there? Why, God, why!?!?!?!? :( You want J. Crew and Banana Republic to return? Lets think of just one bigger and better store that should return? ;) he he he he
October 31, 200816 yr Jones Day does corporate law. Does Potbelly sell clothes for people with potbellies? That would be pretty cool. LMAO! I almost choked on my apple juice! LMAO!
October 31, 200816 yr Aren't they both owned by Au Bon Pain? Why not just go there instead? I never thought much of Au Bon but I don't think much of Panera either so I don't really go either place, maybe they're similar?
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