This February, Big Idea, Inc. presents an all-new family adventure featuring a helpful lesson in listening to your parents with VeggieTales®: Pistachio – The Little Boy That Woodn’t. In this creative parody of the beloved story of Pinocchio, VeggieTales follows its unique tradition of retelling classic adventures like Lord of the Beans, Wizard of Ha’s and Minnesota Cuke! The DVD, priced at $14.99 SRP, includes the brand new Silly Song, “Where Have All The Staplers Gone,” and lots of family friendly bonus features. Supported by a comprehensive advertising and marketing campaign, Pistachio comes to DVD in stores February 27th to Canadian Christian retail.

“The storyline of Pistachio created the perfect opportunity to teach children the importance of family and listening to their parents,” said Greg Fritz, SVP of Sales and Marketing at Big Idea. “Everyone knows the story of Pinocchio and how he became a ‘real boy’, but Pistachio has a clever VeggieTales twist that incorporates elements of truth from the classic tale, while emphasizing the father-son relationship and the strength of family. Parents will resonate with the desire of ‘Gelato,’ who only wants to do what’s best for his child, while kids will see that there’s ultimately great reward in listening to them.”

DVD Synopsis

Once upon a time in the small town of Bologna-Salami, there lived a lonely toymaker named Gelato and his assistant Cricket. Gelato had no children of his own, so one day he decided to carve a little boy out of wood. Imagine Gelato’s surprise when he learned this little boy could walk… and talk… and definitely had a mind of his own! When Pistachio tries to do things his way, he lands in a “whale” of a situation! Will he decide to listen to the wisdom of a loving father in time to save his whole family from becoming fish food? Find out in this all-new adventure with a lesson about the importance of family and learning to listen.

Promotional Partners [U.S. Only]

Long-time promotional partner Chick-fil-A, Inc. will partner with VeggieTales in a national promotion at their 1,400+ restaurant locations with more than three million kids meal bags, five different enhanced VeggieTales CD premiums with videos, music and activities, coupons for $2 off the Pistachio DVD and in-store signage. Additionally, Chick-fil-A will host VeggieTales Family Night parties in more than 400 restaurant locations that will include activity posters, stickers, balloons, prizes and more. This is one of the largest VeggieTales promotions in the multi-year relationship.

“We are always thrilled to partner with VeggieTales,” says Angela Savage, Chick-fil-A Senior Consultant, Family Marketing. “Chick-fil-A wants to have a positive influence on all of our customers, particularly our youngest patrons, and the opportunity to serve families through this strategic partnership with Big Idea’s VeggieTales is a great one.”

VeggieTales will also launch its first-ever branded kids grocery carts in more than 500 locations including Kroger and other major chains in January 2010. Each “TVKart” will feature a video screen with selection button for children to watch VeggieTales silly songs, clips and promotions for upcoming DVD releases including Pistachio.

In partnership with new licensee, Frankford Candy & Chocolate Company, cross-promotional mention of the Pistachio DVD will appear on packaging of more than two million units of VeggieTales branded Easter themed candies sold through mass market retail beginning in February.

Furthermore, the music video for the new silly song, “Where Have All The Staplers Gone?” featured on Pistachio, will play in Chuck E. Cheese’s® family restaurants’ 529 locations, as well as at Gymboree® children’s clothing stores’ 761 locations and Crazy 8® stores’ 53 locations during the first quarter. The total promotional partnership campaign will reach more than 44 million impressions.

Live Events

Timed to the DVD release, Big Idea will give Christian retailers the opportunity to host a “VeggieTales’ Pistachio party” in their store! Spectacular Event kits include an activity guide, posters, balloons, stickers and event disc.

Big Idea will also host more than 1,500 “Family Fun Nights” at churches nationwide where special Pistachio screenings will be held in February and March.

DVD Bonus Features:

› Obscure Broadway Showtunes with Larry (Silly Song) “Where Have All The Staplers Gone?”
› Art Gallery
› Audio Commentary
› Discussion Guide
› Larry Visits a Marionette Theater
› Staplers Sing-Along
› Studio Store

DVD Specifications

Not Rated
Running Time: 50 minutes
Color
5.1 Surround Sound
English & Spanish Subtitles
Close-Captioned

About Chick-fil-A, Inc.

Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A, Inc. is the nation’s second-largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain (based on sales), currently with more than 1,470 restaurants in 38 states and Washington, D.C. Chick-fil-A produced record sales in 2008 of $2.96 billion – a 12.17 percent overall increase and an 4.59 percent same-store sales gain that helped extend the chain’s streak of consecutive sales gains to 41 years.

Credited with inventing the boneless breast of chicken sandwich and first introducing the chicken nugget concept, Chick-fil-A serves nutritious and freshly prepared food products in mall locations, stand-alone restaurants, drive-thru-only restaurants, Chick-fil-A Dwarf House® and Truett’s Grill® full-service restaurants, and through licensed outlets in college campuses, hospitals, airports, businesses and industrial sites. More information about Chick-fil-A is available on the chain’s websites, located at www.chick-fil-a.com

About Big Idea, Inc.

Big Idea, Inc. is the leading faith-based studio and producer of children’s and family programming, characters and brands. Since 1993, Big Idea’s best-selling animated series VeggieTales® has sold 53+ million videos, 13 million books and more than 7 million CDs. VeggieTales® and Big Idea’s property, 3-2-1 Penguins!®, enjoyed four seasons as top-rated series on NBC Saturday mornings, Telemundo and ION TV via the qubo® children’s programming block. The studio’s two theatrical releases, Jonah-A VeggieTales Movie (2002), and Universal Pictures’ and Big Idea’s The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie (2008), are distinguished among the top ten most successful faith-based films of all time. Big Idea also maintains an extensive presence in publishing, licensing and live entertainment arenas. For more information on Big Idea, visit www.bigidea.com.

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