WEP - Toynami Release

Contact: Bob Sanderson
Phone: (314) 345-1062
Mobile: (314-614-8650
bsanderson@koplar.com

WORLD EVENTS PRODUCTIONS GRANTS VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE COLLECTIBLE TOY LICENSE TO TOYNAMI, INC.

- Nostalgic Voltron Fans Can't Get Enough -

ST. LOUIS, Missouri, August 12, 2003 – Award-winning animation production and
distribution company, World Events Productions today announced that Toynami, Inc. of
Sherman Oaks, CA has licensed the collectible toy rights for the original animated series
Voltron: Defender of the Universe, one of pop culture's most popular classic television
programs. Toynami has received a three-year, merchandising license to create and distribute
new Voltron collectibles including a line of Masterpiece Edition transformables as well as I-Men
mini-figures. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

In making the announcement, Edward J. (Ted) Koplar, CEO and Executive Producer of World
Events said, "Based on their reputation for accuracy and detail in character replication, we are
confident that Toynami will create quality toys and collectibles that fans will love. This license,
as well as our recent Devil's Due Publishing comic book license, were issued to satisfy the
countless Voltron fans that are demanding new products. These new products releases precede
the production of a new interactive Voltron television series to debut in 2004. The new series
will be encoded by VEIL Interactive Technologies, allowing significant tie-in merchandising
opportunities for specially designed toys to interact with the broadcast. The toys will be
triggered by VEIL to flash lights, sound off and receive secret messages."

Voltron: Defender of the Universe is an animation classic that has been viewed in over 70
countries worldwide. After debuting in the United States in 1984, the show continued for 125
episodes. The Voltron Force consists of five separate lion spaceships that come together as the
famous transformable robot, Voltron. The mighty and powerful Voltron serves to protect the
Galaxy against the evil forces that threaten to destroy them. In 1998, World Events Productions
successfully created and distributed a 3-D CGI Voltron series, the Daytime Emmy award-
winning Voltron: The Third Dimension. Voltron is a household name in the U.S. and an
international icon that continues to capture the hearts of fans, young and old, all over the globe.
Continuing to enjoy immense popularity today, Devil's Due Publishing debuted a new Voltron:
Defender of the Universe comic book title in May 2003. Combined, Voltron: Defender of the
Universe and its sequel Voltron: The Third Dimension, have grossed millions in worldwide
licensing fees.

About World Events Productions, Ltd.
Founded in 1982 to meet the ever-growing need for the development of quality television
entertainment, World Events Productions has continued to be a leader in creative programming
excellence and international distribution for over twenty years. The company has created,
produced and distributed over 226 hours of programming including: Voltron: Defender of the
Universe, the Daytime Emmy award-winning Voltron: The Third Dimension, Denver, The
Last Dinosaur, Vytor: The Starfire Champion and Saber Rider and the Starfire Champion.
World Events Productions, an affiliate of Koplar Communications International, is headquartered
at 1 Memorial Drive, Suite 2000, St. Louis, Missouri 63102. The company may be reached at
314-345-1000; fax:314-345-1090; www.wep.com.

About Toynami
Toynami is the leading creator of high quality toys and collectibles based on popular animation
and Japanese anime properties. In addition to its high quality action-figures and I-Men mini-
figures, Toynami has built a reputation for accuracy and detail in its Masterpiece Collection.
Some of Toynami's many licenses include Robotech, Speed Racer, Futurama, Dragon Ball Z,
The Herculoids, Thundarr the Barbarian, Dynomutt and the Blue Falcon, and Birdman.
Toynami, Inc is headquartered at 15315 Magnolia Blvd, Suite 216, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403.