BKN International AG Appoints Benoit Runel As Managing Director Of Its Largest Operating Subsidiary BKN New Media Ltd

Corporate-news transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Cologne, 18 May 2006 - BKN International AG, a global animation company
engaged in the distribution and marketing of animated children’s
television programmes and related consumer products that has been listed on
the Deutsche Boerse of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since March 2000 and
the AIM segment of the London Stock Exchange since December 2003, today
reports that Benoit Runel has been appointed Managing Director of the
Company’s largest operating subsidiary, BKN New Media Ltd in Great
Britain.


Runel will oversee all sales and marketing for the Company in the United
Kingdom, Germany, Benelux, Scandinavia, North America and emerging markets
such as Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East. He is further charged
with overseeing all development and pre-production activities in the London
- based studio as well as with securing and managing all co-productions
with international partners.


With over 16 years experience in the television and children industry,
Runel joins BKN from Jetix Europe where, as part of the senior management
team he oversaw all programming and related on-air strategies for the
group’s 12 channels. He brought content and new Intellectual
Properties to Jetix Europe and US through a number of successful
co-productions and acquisition deals. Prior to joining Jetix, Runel served
seven years at TF1, the French free-TV giant where he built a library of
2000 hours of kids’ programming.


'We are really pleased to have the contributions of such a talented
individual as Benoit. His track record in children’s programming
acquisitions, productions and sales both at Jetix Europe and TF1 in France
over 15 years makes him a perfect candidate to lead this division,' stated
Allen Bohbot, Group CEO for BKN.


'BKN is in a very exciting development stage.' added Runel. 'The products
including Legend of the Dragon, Dork Hunters from Outer Space, Zorro:
Generation Z and the new Classic Collection including Ali Baba and the
Forty Thieves, A Christmas Carol and Robin Hood, to name a few, for
direct-to-DVD release are really strong and I look forward to expanding on
these activities. This is a very exciting opportunity for me.'

Enquiries:

BKN International AG
Allen Bohbot, Chief Executive Officer
Tel: +44 (0)20 7269 8683
allen.bohbot@bknkids.com

Wayne Mowat, Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +44 (0)20 7269 8687
wayne.mowat@bknkids.com

Sascha Ziemann, Finance Manager
Tel: +49 221 5540 5190
sascha.ziemann@bknkids.com

Laura Tapias, Managing Director Latin and Italian markets
Tel: +34 93 368 18 00
laura.tapias@bknkids.com

Ben Heng, Managing Director Asia
Tel: +65 6820 2118
ben.heng@bknkids.com

Matthew Graham-Clare, Managing Director Home Entertainment
Tel: +44 (0)20 7269 8678
matthew.graham-clare@bknkids.com

www.bknkids.com 


Broker/Designated Sponsor:

Panmure Gordon  Nominated Adviser & UK Broker
Aubrey Powell / Stuart Gledhill
Tel:  +44 (0) 20 7459 3600
aubrey.powell@panmure.com
stuart.gledhill@panmure.com

Seydler AG in Germany Designated Sponsor
René Parmantier
Tel:  +49 69 92054 130
rene.parmantier@seydler.de

Deutsche Bank  German Broker
Jens Hagemann
Tel: +49 69 910 34495
jens.hagemann@db.com 


Media Enquiries:
SSA Public Relations for trade & industry press
Karine Fouchet  Tel: +44 (0)20 7863 8806
kfouchet@ssapr.com


Notes to editors:

About BKN:
BKN International AG is a global animation company engaged in the
distribution and marketing of animated children’s television
programmes and the marketing of related consumer products (licensing and
merchandising) in all forms. BKN has worked on numerous successful
animation projects.

The Company is currently listed on the Deutsche Bourse and AIM and it
operates all over the world.  BKN has successfully negotiated distribution
deals in over 80 countries and territories in the children’s
programming market.

The Company’s Film Library includes:

-Legend of the Dragon
-Robin Hood
-Kong - The Animated Series
-Zorro: Generation Z
-Kong - King of Atlantis
-Roswell Conspiracies
-Kong - Return to the Jungle
-Dork Hunters from Outer Space
-A Christmas Carol
-Jungle Book


(c)DGAP 18.05.2006 
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Language:     English
Issuer:       BKN International AG
              Im Mediapark 8
              50670 Köln Deutschland
Phone:        +49 (0)221 55 40 51 90
Fax:          +49 (0)221 55 40 545
email:        investor-relations@bknkids.com
WWW:          www.bknkids.com
ISIN:         DE0005290704
WKN:          529070
indices:      
Listed:       Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (General Standard); Freiverkehr
              in Berlin-Bremen, Hannover, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, München,
              Stuttgart
 
End of News                                     DGAP News-Service
 
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