Spumco Creator gets Programming and Content Deal

CULVER CITY, Calif., May 31 -- Icebox, Inc. (http://www.icebox.com), creator of original web-based animated content, has inked an exclusive three-year agreement with Spumco, RealCartoons.net, and John Kricfalusi, it was announced today by Icebox CEO Steve Stanford. Under the terms of the agreement, Icebox will commission and broadcast three new Kricfalusi series and will be the exclusive Web home for Spumco entertainment content during the term, including the popular "G**damn George Liquor Program," which is currently on display in the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum.

In addition, Icebox will be the exclusive Internet distribution outlet for RealCartoons.net, the new online animation network founded by Kricfalusi. RealCartoons.net is the only network, TV or Internet based, run by cartoonists and is headed by Kricfalusi (CEO) and Kevin Kolde (President). It will feature original animated programming from the top cartoonists in the world. RealCartoons.net has four additional series slated for production.

Kricfalusi, best known as the creator of Nickelodeon's THE REN AND STIMPY SHOW, founded Spumco, the Glendale-based animation company that was first to produce a cartoon series created exclusively for the Internet. Kricfalusi and Spumco also pioneered online sponsorship and the online animated commercial, working with companies such as Tower Records and CDNow.

"We are excited to add John Kricfalusi, a true innovator and the pioneer in animation on the Web, to the growing roster of Hollywood creative talent developing series for Icebox," said Stanford. "John revolutionized animation when he created the outrageous REN AND STIMPY SHOW. Our partnership with John and his RealCartoons Network reinforces Icebox's position as the undisputed leader in original animation on the Internet," said Stanford. "There is no site that comes close to matching the number or quality of our creative partners."

Icebox is a groundbreaking web-based entertainment network that produces original animated series. The site features innovative, episodic series created exclusively for the Web by many of Hollywood's top creators, writers, and animators -- including the creators and executive producers of "SEINFELD," "THE SIMPSONS," "KING OF THE HILL," "THE X-FILES," "DAWSON'S CREEK" and "PARTY OF FIVE." Icebox is the ultimate pilot incubator delivering audience-ready programs from well-known writers to television networks and studios, thus eliminating the expensive costs incurred in development. Icebox was co-founded by CEO Steve Stanford, founder of the New Technology division at International Creative Management (ICM), John Collier, co-Executive Producer of KING OF THE HILL, Howard Gordon, former Executive Producer of THE X-FILES, and Rob LaZebnik, co-Executive Producer of THE SIMPSONS. Icebox President Gary Levine has headed primetime series development at Warner Bros., ABC and Witt-Thomas Productions. Icebox was seed funded by eCompanies, the incubator created by Sky Dayton and Jake Winebaum to rapidly launch Internet start-ups and help them to grow into profitable, long-lasting franchises.

Kricfalusi is responsible for many of the major trends in modern TV animation, not only the REN AND STIMPY influenced cartoons that proliferate on the networks, but as a consultant for Hanna Barbera and Cartoon Network, he helped Fred Seibert found the shorts program which Seibert later spun off for Nickelodeon. He also initiated the currently popular practice of creating wacky interstitials using classic cartoon characters. "I'm excited to finally get the chance to use my ideas on my own network and to produce the kinds of cartoons the audience has begged me for since we left REN AND STIMPY. Working with Icebox is the perfect opportunity to try new things and advance the art of animation. I believe we will spark a new renaissance in cartoons, much like the progress that happened in Hollywood animation in the 1930's when the art was controlled by creative artists like Bob Clampett and Walt Disney."

Spumco is an independent animation studio known for its cutting edge humor and its culturally influential animation. SPUMCO was initially established in 1989 by John Kricfalusi to create and produce THE REN AND STIMPY SHOW for Nickelodeon. The show went on to be the highest rated non-sports show on cable television. In addition, Kricfalusi and Spumco have produced a music video for singer Bjork, numerous award-winning commercials for clients such as Old Navy, Nike, and Cadbury as well as an animated Ranger Smith special for The Cartoon Network. Currently, Spumco is producing the animated series "The Ripping Friends" for the FoxKids network. The series is set to premiere in the spring of 2001.

Eric Gardner, Chairman/CEO of Panacea Entertainment, negotiated the deal. Gardner will serve as an ongoing consultant to RealCartoons.net.



SOURCE Icebox, Inc.

 

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