Go back to news and events. LINGUAPHONE GROUP SEALS LICENSING DEAL WITH LEADING KOREAN DISTRIBUTOR

Immediate release 00:01 Wednesday 29 September 2010

The Linguaphone Group, global leaders in language training, are today delighted to announce a new deal that will see Eyesvision, a leading distribution company in Korea, act as their exclusive partner for the Group’s character-based children’s
English language program, Pingu’s English.

Led by Hyungsool Kim, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pingu’s English in Korea, they will be responsible for distributing the Group’s unique children’s English language course across the country. Launching in October, they will capitalise on the lucrative children’s English training market in Korea with a wide-ranging distribution strategy through childcare centers, kindergartens and book retailers as well as through the CJ and Hyundai home shopping channels.

Pingu’s English is a three-level language course based on the popular HIT Entertainment children’s character, Pingu™. Transforming the way that young children learn English, the unique methodology uses a wide variety of imaginative activities and multimedia resources. Designed for use within Pingu’s English Schools, kindergartens and also by parents and children at home, this innovative course is exclusive to the Linguaphone Group.

As well as launching in South Korea, this autumn will also see the debut of Pingu's English in Russia, the Czech Republic and Cyprus. This builds on a growing global network of licensed partners who already represent Pingu's English across Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa. The Linguaphone Group will also be attending the Frankfurt Book Fair next week to identify potential strategic partners for other international markets.

Derek Price, Chief Operations Officer of the Linguaphone Group commented

“It is increasingly clear that parents the world over see the importance of English for their child’s education and future prosperity. We are delighted to see how parents and children alike are reacting to our Pingu’s English course wherever they are in the world. Korea is a really important strategic market for the Linguaphone Group’s ongoing global expansion of Pingus’ English and we are therefore delighted to have Eyesvision on board.”

More information can be found at www.pingusenglish.com

Ends

For all media queries regarding Pingu’s English Korea please contact
Hyungsool Kim, Chief Executive Officer, Pingu’s English Korea
Tel: +82-2-3775-4545
Website: www.pingusenglish.co.kr / www.pingusenglishkorea.com

For all other media enquiries, please contact
Sarah Cole, Head of Marketing, Linguaphone Group
E-mail: sarah.cole@linguaphonegroup.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 8687 6115
Mobile: +44 (0)7799 723 218

Notes to editors

• The Linguaphone Group are visiting the Frankfurt Fair between the 6 - 10 October 2010. Pingu's English will be exhibiting in the International Publishers Pavilion (Hall 8) at stand number (B901) with the Publishers Association. Alternatively, please contact Sophie Abdulsalam at sophie@pingusenglish.com to arrange an appointment.
  
• Master licensing business opportunities are still available in a variety of international markets worldwide. Please call +44 (0)20 8687 6104, email pingusenglish@linguaphonegroup.com or visit www.pingusenglish.com

• The Linguaphone Group is a world-leading provider of language training solutions, operating under the internationally recognised Linguaphone, Direct English and Pingu’s English brand names. With over 109 years of experience, the Group has an extensive network of learning centres worldwide. The Group has also helped millions of people learn a new language through their wide-ranging portfolio of self-study products sold in over 60 countries. For more information visit
  www.linguaphonegroup.com
  
• Pingu’s English offers an array of creative learning activities and exercises using high quality, multimedia materials and teaching resources. Developed by leading English language and child education specialists, each student will receive a course pack consisting of DVDs, study books, song and story books with CDs plus interactive online learning materials.
  
• About HIT Entertainment - HIT Entertainment is one of the world's leading independent children's entertainment producers and rights-owners. HIT's portfolio includes properties, such as Barney™, Bob the Builder™, Thomas & Friends™, Pingu™, Fireman Sam™, Angelina Ballerina™ and Rainbow Magic™. HIT represents Chapman Entertainment’s Fifi and the
  Flowertots™ and Roary the Racing Car™ in North America, as well as Wallace & Gromit™, Shaun the Sheep™, Timmy Time™ and Aardman Classics from Aardman Animations. HIT also acts as representative for The Wiggles® in the UK. Launched in 1989, HIT’s lines of business span television and video production, content distribution, publishing, consumer products licensing and live events and has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan. HIT is a part-owner of US-based preschool channel, PBS KIDS SproutSM. For more information, visit www.hitentertainment.com.