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FremantleMedia Enterprises and Sears Holdings Announce the Exclusive North American Launch of Rebecca Bonbon

 Deal Marks Largest FME Direct-to-Retail Agreement, The First Simultaneous
                    Brand Launch at Both Sears And Kmart

    LAS VEGAS, June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME),
together with Sears Holdings, today announced the North American launch of
the hugely popular Japanese character, Rebecca Bonbon, created by the
original Hello Kitty(TM) designer, Yuko Shimizu.

    The agreement will bring an initial launch of over 320 different
Rebecca Bonbon products across the U.S. and Canada in both Sears and Kmart,
starting Aug. 1, 2010. Product will be on shelves and available online just
in time for the back-to-school shopping season, covering a variety of key
categories including apparel, outerwear, headwear, accessories, bags,
cosmetics, sleepwear, home decor, plush and pet products.

    The Rebecca Bonbon product line was designed to appeal to a broad
demographic of tween and teen girls, as well as women who will appreciate
both the iconic and fashionable nature of the brand. The apparel line has
two very distinct looks ranging from the very feminine, bright and
whimsical character-driven merchandise, to the more stylish and seasonal
trend-driven fashion statement. FME and Sears Holdings are working towards
a long-term strategy for the Rebecca Bonbon brand with new product
development already taking place for the Holiday 2010 and Spring 2011
collections for both the Sears and Kmart brands.

    "We are very excited about the commitment from Sears and Kmart to the
launch and growth of the Rebecca Bonbon franchise in North America", said
David Luner, senior vice president of Interactive and Consumer Products,
FremantleMedia Enterprises, North America. "We could not have asked for a
better partner for the Rebecca Bonbon brand, as there is a shared vision
and commitment to success."

    "We are thrilled to work with FremantleMedia Enterprises on the Rebecca
Bonbon collections," said John Goodman, executive vice president of Apparel
and Home Fashions, Sears Holdings. "We see the launch of this global brand
as a strong statement on our commitment to provide relevance and key
fashion to a young consumer. The products are unique in the market as well
as trendy and broadly appealing."

    Rebecca Bonbon was an instant success in Japan with over 50 licensees
having created products including: apparel, accessories, swimwear, intimate
apparel, electronics, stationery, posters, greeting cards, bedding, bags,
and digital and mobile content. Acquiring the exclusive rights from Crown
Creative in 2008, FME represents Rebecca Bonbon in the U.S., EMEA, Latin
America, and Asia Pacific (excluding Japan, Korea and China) and is
currently expanding the licensing program worldwide. Continuing on its
success in Japan, Rebecca Bonbon, is quickly becoming one of the
fastest-growing international fashion licenses.

    In addition to the U.S. retail launch of the brand, Rebecca Bonbon will
be "virtually" everywhere having rolled out its online presence June 1,
2010. The foundation for the online component will be a consumer website at
http://www.usarebeccabonbon.com, which will feature character info, games,
wallpaper, post cards, photos, and information on how to enter for a chance
to win a trip to New York City to experience the Rebecca Bonbon lifestyle.
There will also be an official Rebecca Bonbon Facebook page, Twitter
account, and a fully-branded Rebecca Bonbon experience inside of the very
popular tween virtual world All-Girl-Arcade.

    Rebecca Bonbon is a French bulldog and super cute fashionista from
Paris currently residing in a plush New York City apartment overlooking
Central Park. She lives a charmed life, with her days spent showcasing her
chic outfits whilst walking through the park, shopping and picnicking with
friends. She loves all things sweet, especially bonbons, which is how she
came to be affectionately known as Rebecca Bonbon.

    ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES & FREMANTLEMEDIA

    FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators and producers of
entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of the RTL Group,
Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company, which is in turn
90 percent owned by Bertelsmann AG, one of the world's major media and
entertainment companies. FremantleMedia's worldwide production arm is
responsible for many of the world's highest rated prime time entertainment,
drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programmes. FremantleMedia
Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a
one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment around
the world. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes talkbackTHAMES, UFA and
Grundy amongst others) has operations in 22 countries, one of the most
comprehensive global networks, creating nearly 10,000 hours of programming
a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 300 individual
titles. FremantleMedia has some of the world's most sought after and long
running formats in its catalogue, and globally, produces such programmes
as: Idols (co-produced with 19 Productions in the US), The X Factor
(co-produced with Syco in the UK), Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the
UK and the US), Neighbours, The Bill, Family Feud, The Price is Right,
Farmer Wants A Wife and Hole In The Wall.

    Rebecca Bonbon TM&? Crown Creative Co., Ltd. Licensed by FremantleMedia
Enterprises.

    About Sears Holdings Corporation

    Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's fourth largest broadline
retailer with approximately 3,900 full-line and specialty retail stores in
the United States and Canada. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance
retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, home electronics
and automotive repair and maintenance. Sears Holdings is the 2010 ENERGY
STAR? Retail Partner of the Year. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore,
Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such
well-known labels as Lands' End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the
Apostrophe and Covington brands. It also has the Country Living collection,
which is offered by Sears and Kmart. We are the nation's largest provider
of home services, with more than 12 million service calls made annually.
Sears Holdings Corporation operates through its subsidiaries, including
Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation. For more information, visit
Sears Holdings' website at http://www.searsholdings.com.


SOURCE Sears Holdings Corporation





 

 
Web site: http://www.searsholdings.com

  

 
Company News On Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/923204.html

  

 
CONTACT: Belinda Thomas, Sr. PR Manager, FremantleMedia
 Enterprises, +44 (0) 20 7691 6911,
 Belinda.thomas@fremantlemedia.com