Gullane Entertainment to Acquire Guinness World Records

Posted on July 3, 2001

Gullane Entertainment, the family entertainment studio whose properties include Thomas the Tank Engine and Art Attack, has announced the acquisition of Guinness World Records (GWR), an international brand which includes the bestselling annual world record book.

In making the announcement, Charles Falzon, President of Gullane stated, ``Since the 1950s, GWR has grown its publishing content and brand from a successful publishing franchise into a global publishing business. The fusion of GWR's formidable assets into our existing business operations and growth strategy creates greater efficiencies which will maximize profitability and grow our existing consumer bases.''

GWR has been in existence since the mid 1950s and has developed the annual world record book into an intellectual property brand reaching well over 70 million consumers annually in 82 countries and 24 languages. The business is focused on developing television programs, licensed merchandise, live events and the interactive website, as well as continuing the production and marketing of the book. Headquartered in London with an office in New York, GWR employs approximately 50 people. In the year to 30 June 2000, GWR generated total sales of $33 million and had net assets of $5 million.

Trading on the London Stock Exchange, Gullane Entertainment plc operates from offices throughout the UK, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto and Tokyo. The company has equity interests in The Media Merchants, Sooty Productions and Catalyst Entertainment.