Reflecting an overall strategy of allying itself with world-class, brand name partners in all of its businesses, LIONSGATE® (NYSE: LGF), the leading next generation studio, has entered into a home entertainment distribution deal with Jane Fonda, the two time Academy Award® winning actress and fitness pioneer who first coined the term "workout" in the 1980s. Through the agreement with Fonda, Lionsgate has acquired the DVD, digital and international distribution rights to the fitness legend's new line of workouts geared to the over 100 million American baby boomers and older who are increasingly focused on health, wellness, vitality and longevity. The deal was announced by Anne Parducci, Lionsgate Home Entertainment EVP of Marketing and Family Entertainment.
The studio is scheduled to release two Jane Fonda titles, Jane Fonda: Prime Time Walkout and Jane Fonda: Prime Time Fit & Strong, on November 30, 2010. Since 1982, Fonda has released over 20 top selling fitness videos, with her first video release selling over 17 million copies alone and is to date the highest selling fitness video of all time. On hiatus from the fitness scene since 1995, Fonda returns at age 72 with brand new fitness DVDs and shares how staying active is the key to aging successfully by offering fun, safe and effective workouts that strengthen and tone muscles, improve brain and body functions and support overall health and well being.
With a 31% market share in the fitness category, Lionsgate possesses one of the most extensive and high-profile fitness libraries in the industry and is home to the biggest and most successful names in fitness including Jillian Michaels, The Biggest Loser, Dancing with the Stars, and Denise Austin. They already boast ten of the top twenty fitness DVDs in 2010, with six placing in the top eight. Other hit fitness franchises managed by the studio include the largest and most celebrity-endorsed yoga studio Yogaworks, and theatrical brand extensions like Dirty Dancing and Fame. This year the fitness powerhouse is also shaking things up with the launch of Billy Blanks Jr., son of the legendary Tae Bo creator.
"We are so thrilled to be in business with Jane, a truly iconic figure in the world of fitness. Jane's message is that the key to aging successfully is staying active and we are so pleased to provide her fans with brand new workouts they can do at home," said Parducci. "Lionsgate is truly committed to maintaining our leadership position in fitness through the distribution of unique, trusted and quality product such as Jane's."
"I feel I'm at the right stage of life to get back into the Fitness business and pass on all that I've learned about being fit over 50," said Fonda. "And who better to join with than Lionsgate!"
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