ELCA NEWS SERVICE

January 12, 2004

New Agreement Increases Visibility for ELCA's 'Davey and Goliath'
04-005-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In an effort to produce more visibility
for "Davey and Goliath" and help secure its return to television,
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and DandG
Licensing, LLC have entered into a new agreement effective Jan.
12.
     Davey and Goliath is a classic stop-motion animated
television series starring Davey Hansen and his talking dog,
Goliath.  Aired on commercial television in the 1960s and 1970s,
Davey and Goliath is a property of the ELCA.  The church's new
mission with Davey and Goliath is to bring "moral and religious
faith-based values to a new generation of children in lively and
engaging ways."
     The ELCA's agreement with DandG Licensing includes marketing
and promoting Davey and Goliath.  Mark Bannon, Animation Content,
East Granby, Conn., is president of DandG Licensing, Simsbury,
Conn.  Bannon founded DandG Licensing exclusively for work on
Davey and Goliath.
     "We are counting on Mark Bannon's enthusiasm and expertise
to carry Davey and Goliath in new product and licensing
directions," said the Rev. Eric C. Shafer, director, ELCA
Department for Communication.
     "One of Bannon's first assignments is finding a commercial
television outlet for the debut of 'Davey and Goliath's Snowboard
Christmas,' our new holiday special," said Shafer.
     In connection with Premavision, Inc. (Clokey Productions),
Los Osos, Calif., the ELCA is producing the one-hour holiday
special -- the first new program production in nearly 30 years --
for broadcast in November or December 2004.
     According to Bannon, "Davey and Goliath is an extraordinary
property that has had a profound and positive impact on millions
of children and families for more than 40 years."  His vision for
Davey and Goliath is "to ensure that this remarkable property
continues to inspire morality, peace and love in the hearts of
children for generations to come."
     With the start of the new licensing agreement, Bannon said
the ELCA and DandG Licensing will "begin a massive revitalization
and relaunch of the original classic animated episodes and
specials, as well as the release of a modern-day version of this
nostalgic property.  The classic episodes consist of 65 original
programs from the 1960s and 1970s and six original specials.  The
new release includes a modern-day holiday special and the
development of a new ongoing television series."
     Davey and Goliath products, such as lunch boxes, bobble-head
dolls, bendable toys, ties, shirts and more are available at
http://www.daveyandgoliath.org -- the official Davey and Goliath
Web site maintained by the ELCA.  Revenue from the sale of these
items is allocated for the development of new Davey and Goliath
programs.
     Bannon and Shafer will represent the ELCA and Davey and
Goliath at the National Association of Television Program
Executives (NATPE) 2004 Conference and Exhibition, Jan. 18-20,
Las Vegas.  Davey and Goliath will make a personal appearance at
NATPE.
     The ELCA is the fourth largest Protestant denomination in
the United States with more than 5 million members across the
country and Caribbean.  The church produced a one-hour
documentary, "Oh Davey!  History of the 'Davey and Goliath'
Television Series," that aired on the ABC television network last
fall.  The documentary is available at
http://daveyandgoliath.augsburgfortress.org/store/ on the
Internet.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news