It's Morphin Time: Kideo And Saban Brands Unveil First-Of-Its-Kind 3D Experience For Power Rangers Fans

Below is a Saban Brands Press Release from The Herald at HeraldOnline.com:

It's Morphin Time: Kideo and Saban Brands Unveil First-of-Its-Kind 3D Experience for Power Rangers Fans

Innovative Technology Enables Fans to "Morph" into their Favorite Samurai Power Rangers and Appear in Episodes on Personalized DVDs

NEW YORK — Kideo, the leading creator of personalized and branded video products, has partnered with Saban Brands to create the first-ever collection of personalized Power Rangers Samurai DVDs and digital video shorts. Utilizing Pix 3D, a new cutting-edge photo-personalization technology developed by Kideo’s parent company PixFusion, fans of the beloved television series can transport themselves into one of the action-packed episodes from the season and become an actual Samurai Power Ranger. The new personalized videos, available this fall, will allow fans worldwide to "morph" into their favorite Ranger.

Fans of the No. 1 live-action kids series will have a chance to battle evil and step into the famous color-coded battle suits and matching helmets with the launch of the new personalized Power Rangers Samurai experience. To star in a Power Rangers Samurai episode, users upload an existing image from their computer or Facebook account. PixFusion's patented 3D image modeler technology then transforms the photo into a 3D image, capturing facial expressions and mouth and eye movement, enabling users to “morph” into the live-action adventure. The 3D photo-personalized Power Rangers Samurai products will be available at www.Kideo.com. Personalized full-length episodes on DVD will retail for $29.99, while digital video shorts will also be available for download and streaming.

Following its introduction in 1993, Saban's Power Rangers quickly became the most watched children's television program in the United States. Emphasizing the importance of teamwork, responsibility and helping others, the series was seen in more than 60 countries, translated into numerous languages, and was a mainstay in the most prominent international children's programming blocks.

“Power Rangers has been one of the leading pop culture character brands for nearly 20 years,” said Rich Collins, Chief Executive Officer, PixFusion. “We feel the property has remained a perennial favorite by presenting the powerful idea of ordinary kids doing extraordinary things. Everyone should have an opportunity to feel like a superhero and our unique personalized video experience enables fans, both young and old, to virtually save the day alongside some of the most iconic action stars of all time.”

“Watching Power Rangers episodes is a fun and engaging experience, but Power Rangers fans everywhere are going to love using this very innovative technology to take that experience to the next level and create a very personalized and amazingly fun experience,” said Elie Dekel, President of Saban Brands. “Our partnerships with technology companies such as Kideo and PixFusion are important as our audience looks for new ways to enjoy their favorite superheroes.”

Power Rangers recently debuted the latest chapter in the long-running, popular entertainment franchise with Saban's Power Rangers Super Samurai. The all-new half-hour television series, which currently airs on Nickelodeon Saturdays at 1pm ET, features a new cast of Rangers and never-before-seen villains, as well as high-octane action, martial arts and advanced special effects.

About PixFusion LLC

New York-based PixFusion LLC is a global leader in personalized entertainment, employing its patents and technology in a variety of products and services. Its Kideo personalized video products for preschoolers have won several awards such as the iParenting Media Award and The National Parenting Center Award. In addition, the company also markets digital products for adults and teens under its PixFusion brand, including Paw’s Garfield comics, Scott Adams’ Dilbert and U.K. social expression brand, Purple Ronnie. Through its licensing division, the company offers an array of turn-key marketing solutions, including use of its StarMaker proprietary I.P. platform, to leading companies like Subway, Idaho Board of Tourism, JibJab and many more.

About Saban's Power Rangers

Saban's Power Rangers franchise is the brainchild of Haim Saban, creator and producer of the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers hit series that launched in 1993. Following its introduction, Power Rangers quickly became the most-watched children’s television program in the United States and remains the No.1 live-action kids series on television. The series follows the adventures of a group of ordinary young people who “morph” into superheroes and save the world from evil. It is seen in more than 150 markets around the world, translated into numerous languages, and is a mainstay in the most prominent international children's programming blocks. The Power Rangers franchise will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2013 with the launch of its newest season Power Rangers Megaforce on Nickelodeon and other broadcasters worldwide. Power Rangers LLC, which licenses and merchandises the Power Rangers brand, is an affiliate of Saban Brands. For more information, visit www.powerrangers.com.

About Saban Brands

Formed in 2010 as an affiliate of Saban Capital Group, Saban Brands (SB) was established to acquire and develop a world-class portfolio of properties and capitalize on the company’s experience, track record and capabilities in growing and monetizing consumer brands through content, media and marketing. SB applies a strategic transmedia management approach to enhancing and extending its brands in markets worldwide and to consumers of all ages. The company provides full-service management, marketing, promotion and strategic business development for its intellectual properties including comprehensive strategies unique to each brand, trademark and copyright management and enforcement, creative design, retail development, direct-to-consumer initiatives and specialized property extensions. SB is led by a superior management team with decades of experience in media, content creation, branding, licensing, marketing and finance. For more information, visit www.sabanbrands.com.