March 24, 2005 - Miramichi, New Brunswick -- The marketing partnership behind Miramichi's Fatkat Animation Studios Inc.'s is succeeding in attracting the interest of leading U.S. production studios. The partnership is a collaborative effort between the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Province of New Brunswick. The federal government through ACOA has provided help in the hiring of a full-time marketing manager who oversees marketing initiatives for the company. The project also involves the delivery of a strategic marketing plan, the acquisition of various marketing tools, materials and activities. Assistance by the Province will help support Fatkat's marketing activities. "Fatkat Animation Studios has assembled a team that is talented, determined and fearless," said Charles Hubbard, MP for Miramichi, on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister for ACOA. "Today's technology demonstrates that with the right talent, distance and location are no longer impediments to success." Currently, Fatkat is completing several projects that include a contract for a Texas-based studio that is producing thirty-minute educational videos for children; showcasing their services at New York's Annual Kidscreen Conference; and attendance at a New England IT trade mission which captured the attention of two major studios in Boston. The company is also producing a series of web advertisements for the largest food manufacturer in North America. "Investing in Fatkat Animation Studios will help promote the economic diversification of the Miramichi region while capitalizing on the use of local resources to encourage long-term job creation," said Michael Malley, MLA for Miramichi-Bay du Vin, on behalf of the government of New Brunswick. ACOA is providing a repayable loan of $77,035 under the Business Development Program (BDP), while the Province is investing $15,350 under the Miramichi Regional Economic Development Fund which is administered by the Regional Development Corporation. "We are very excited at this opportunity and look forward to making Fatkat the premier choice for animation and unique advertising in Eastern Canada," says Gene Fowler, owner of Fatkat. Fatkat Animation Studios Inc. located in the City of Miramichi, is an animation and graphic design firm providing artistic design to the commercial sector and animation services to the entertainment industry. For more information about the company, visit the website at: www.fatkatanimation.com For more information on ACOA's programs, visit our web site at: www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca -30 - Valérie Poulin Director of Communications Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire (613) 941-7241 Ann Kenney Senior Communications Officer ACOA (506) 452-3687 Andrew Dunn Marketing Manager Fatkat Animation Studios Inc. (506) 773-1125 Bruce MacFarlane Corporate Secretary Regional Development Corporation (506) 444-4606
