Lionsgate’s World Class Fitness Library Includes Top Selling Fitness DVD Brands Dancing With the Stars, The Biggest Loser and Denise Austin.
Lionsgate and Kathy Smith
Reflecting an overall strategy of allying itself with world-class, brand name partners in all of its businesses, Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), the leading independent filmed entertainment studio, has entered into a multi-year partnership with one of the biggest names in fitness Kathy Smith. Through the agreement with Smith, Lionsgate has acquired the North American distribution rights to the fitness legend’s innovative and top-selling line of DVDs. The deal was announced by Anne Parducci, Lionsgate Home Entertainment EVP of Marketing and Family Entertainment.
Top Selling Fitness DVDs
Lionsgate possesses one of the most extensive and high-profile fitness DVD libraries in the industry and already boasts the top four fitness DVDs among all releases in 2007. “Dancing With The Stars: Cardio Dance” has accounted for more than $1 million in consumer spending in its first month of release including higher week one sales than any other fitness DVD to date. Lionsgate’s fitness DVD releases of The Biggest Loser “The Workout, Vol. 1 and The Biggest Loser.” The Workout, Vol. 2 have earned more than $4 million, making it one of the most successful fitness brands on DVD today. In addition, Denise Austin claims two of the top four titles for the year, according to Nielsen data, building on her success as a top fitness brand.
The studio is scheduled to release two new Kathy Smith titles in 2007. Smith has been in the forefront of the fitness and lifestyle market since 1980, and during that time, she has helped shape and inspire the lives of millions. A member of the Video Hall of Fame, she has sold over 16 million DVDs, and each of her more than 35 titles has reached gold or platinum status. Additionally, Smith headlined the 2007 Got Milk? campaign with a $15 million initiative including TV spots, print ads, web-based interactive consumer programs and grocery POS support from January through May. An author of eight books, her newest diet book is scheduled to hit shelves in Spring of 2008 through Meredith Publications.
Lionsgate understands how lucrative the fitness DVD industry is and we are committed to making sure we maintain our leadership position through the distribution of unique and quality product that people will trust to lead them in their workouts at home. As a motivator and role model, Kathy Smith has a unique connection with her audience that stems from her own personal journey for wellness, said Parducci. Kathy is a wonderful addition to our library, and we look forward to developing the same type of long and healthy relationship with her that she has had with her fan base for more than 25 years.
I am so excited to be working with the Lionsgate team as their keen knowledge and passion for the fitness industry really provides tremendous support and focus to the public, Smith said. They are expert partners in answering our consumer and retail needs and key in the on-going efforts to keepAmericafit!
About Lionsgate:
Lionsgate is the leading independent filmed entertainment studio, winning the 2006 Best Picture Academy Award for CRASH, generating two consecutive years of $300 million-plus domestic theatrical box office, operating a $500 million-plus home entertainment business and producing a broad slate of prime time television series for fiscal 2007. It is a premier producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment, and video-on-demand content. Its prestigious and prolific library of more than 10,000 titles is a valuable source of stable, recurring revenue and a foundation for the growth of the Company’s core businesses. The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.
