About Pingu's English

Give Your Child A Head Start In Life With Pingu's EnglishLINGUAPHOHE GROUP SIGN NEW LICENSING DEAL WITH HONG KONG LANGUAGE TRAINING PARTNER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday 7 September 2009

Linguaphone Group, a world-leading language training provider today announces the signing of an exclusive licensing deal with Hong Kong Communication Art Centre (HKCAC). This exciting partnership will see HKCAC offer the complete range of the Group's highly-regarded English and foreign language training courses for adults and children across Hong Kong.

Founded in 1984, the Hong Kong Communication Art Centre (HKCAC) already has 10 branches located across the territory. They currently provide a host of training courses in business, language, technology and design. Building on their success to date, HKCAC have now secured the exclusive rights to the Group's three international brands, Linguaphone, Direct English and Pingu's English to further strengthen their presence in the Hong Kong language training market.

This exciting licensing deal will see them deliver:

* Pingu's English - a three-level children's English language course, for young children of 3-7+ years. The course has been inspired by the mischievous and loveable penguin Pingu™ and his everyday adventures in the South Pole. Designed for use within schools as well as by parents and children at home, this innovative character-based English language course will open its first school in Hong Kong in the autumn.

* A complete range of English language training courses to adults. Using Linguaphone and Direct English's highly-regarded English language courses, they will deliver first-class language training in locations across Hong Kong from September onwards.

They will also bring a wider selection of Linguaphone's popular self-study foreign language courses back to the Hong Kong market in CD, MP3 download and MP4 pre-loaded player formats.

Derek Price, Chief Operations Officer of the Linguaphone Group said

" With over 25 year's experience in the Hong Kong training market, HKCAC are a welcome addition to the Group's expanding network of English language training partners worldwide. We are delighted to have them on board and look forward to a successful long-term partnership in the months and years to come."

Dr. William T.M. Eng, Principal of Hong Kong Communication Art Centre (HKCAC) said:

" HKCAC are excited at the opportunity to build on our existing portfolio of first-rate training courses and provide a complete language training solution for the Hong Kong market.

"We are delighted to have secured the exclusive rights to offer the Linguaphone Group's range of prestigious language courses across Hong Kong . We are confident that their global reputation in the language training market, along with our existing expertise and commitment to competitive prices and high-level customer service will be a winning combination!"

Ends

For all English speaking 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

For all Chinese speaking media enquiries please contact:

HKCAC

E-mail: hkca@cac.edu.hk

Tel: (852) 2877 8363

Fax: (852) 2861 1767

 

Notes to editors

1. Master licensing business opportunities are available across the Linguaphone Group worldwide. Please call + 44 (0)20 8687 6104, e-mail opportunities@linguaphonegroup.com or visit www.linguaphonegroup.com

2. The Linguaphone Group is a global provider of language training solutions, operating under the internationally recognised Linguaphone, Direct English and Pingu's English brand names.  With over 108 years of experience, the Group has an extensive network of 200 learning centres worldwide.  The Group has also helped millions of people learn a new language through our wide range of self-study language courses sold in over 60 countries.  For more information visit www.linguaphonegroup.com 

3. For images of our existing centres or queries about any of our existing Linguaphone Group partners please email press@linguaphonegroup.com

4. The Linguaphone Group is a member of the International Franchise Association (IFA).

5. 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 Study Pack consisting of DVDs, study books, song and story books with CDs plus interactive online learning materials. Students will also receive an activity pack which includes supplementary materials such as character figurines, colouring materials and friezes. There are also extensive teaching resources to assist teachers with each child's learning and development.

6. The Linguaphone Group has licensed the popular children's character Pingu from HIT Entertainment. HIT Entertainment owned by private equity investment group Apax Partners, 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 and Japan.  HIT also acts as a worldwide representative for The Jim Henson Company's library of classic family brands and 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 Sprout SM, and international preschool channel JimJam, (outside of the US, UK and China). For more information, visit www.hitentertainment.com