Warner Bros. Consumer Products Unveils Worldwide Licensing Program for Summer Blockbuster Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) has enlisted a prominent collection of global licensees to capture the magic of the eagerly anticipated upcoming feature film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Hitting theaters Wednesday, July 15, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the sixth installment and latest chapter in the wildly popular film series from Warner Bros., which has licensees worldwide gearing up to support the most successful entertainment franchise of all time.

In support of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, an array of products will be available at retailers nationwide, including Hot Topic stores, as well as at www.WBshop.com.

NECA, Inc. and Corgi International Limited, the global master toy partners for the Harry Potter franchise, will create a spellbinding line of products in support of the upcoming feature film release. Additional key licensees include Mattel, with Scene It? Harry Potter 2nd Edition and Noble, for wands, chess sets and high-end sculpts; additional global licensees include: Panini, DeAgostini, Hasbro, Rubie’s Costume Co., Exhibitgroup/Giltspur, Artbox Entertainment, Gentle Giant, Giant Merchandising, Jibbitz, BioWorld Merchandising Inc., Andrews McMeel Publishing and Tonner Doll.

“Harry Potter is a fan favorite and has captivated audiences for years,” said Karen McTier, Executive Vice President of Domestic Licensing and Worldwide Marketing for Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “The franchise’s global influence allows top licensees the opportunity to create imaginative and innovative product lines that convey the magic of Harry Potter.”

The enchantment begins Wednesday, July 15, 2009, when Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince storms theaters nationwide. The sixth installment of the highly successful film franchise, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince reunites Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson), as they prepare to battle Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). Directed by Harry Potter veteran, David Yates, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince also returns key characters including Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon), Professor Snape (Alan Rickman), Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane), Professor McGonagall (Maggie Smith) and introduces Professor Slughorn (Jim Broadbent).

About Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort’s defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, the well-connected and unsuspecting bon vivant Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information.

Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Harry finds himself more and more drawn to Ginny, but so is Dean Thomas. And Lavender Brown has decided that Ron is the one for her, only she hadn’t counted on Romilda Vane’s chocolates! And then there’s Hermione, simmering with jealousy but determined not to show her feelings. As romance blossoms, one student remains aloof. He is determined to make his mark, albeit a dark one. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.

This film has been rated PG for scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality.

For downloadable press materials on this film, please visit: http://press.warnerbros.com and for downloadable film clips and other EPK materials please visit: www.epk.tv.

www.harrypotter.com

About Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.