HispanicBusiness

MIAMI, Oct. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- ShoPro Entertainment's Hamtaro and the Ham- Hams, the favorite characters from the hit Cartoon Network(TM) show, "Hamtaro," featuring little hamsters embarking on big adventures, "trick-or- treat" into BURGER KING(R) restaurants this October. These loveable and courageous hamsters appear as themselves or masquerade in full Halloween garb as specially created toys in BURGER KING(R) kids' meals at participating restaurants throughout North America from Oct. 6, to Nov. 2, 2003, while supplies last. This "boo-tiful" promotion also spotlights a special Hamtaro Halloween episode, which will air in prime time on Cartoon Network(TM) Oct. 21 and Oct. 30, 2003, and feature the characters appearing in their "Ham-Ham Halloween" costumes -- available only at BURGER KING(R) restaurants.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031002/FLTH001 ) (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990804/FLW005-a )

"This project is the result of our close working relationship with our promotional partners," said Craig Braasch, vice president, global advertising and promotions, Burger King Corporation. "We all were so enamored with the Hamtaro characters depicted in Halloween costumes that we agreed to wait until a half-hour special could be completed in time to coincide with the in- restaurant campaign. These terrific BURGER KING(R) kids' meal toys bring Hamtaro and friends to their adoring audience in yet another entertaining way for all of our guests to enjoy."

"The adorable and loveable characters of our 'Hamtaro' animated TV series have been embraced by children and families alike since their debut last year on Cartoon Network(TM) and we're thrilled to partner with Burger King Corporation on this unique and fun holiday promotional event," said John Easum, Senior Vice President & Producer, ShoPro Entertainment. "It's very gratifying to see how Hamtaro has earned worldwide recognition," he continued.

Ham-Ham Change for Trick-or-Treat Fun

To capture the festive atmosphere of Halloween, Burger King Corporation developed eight versatile Hamtaro toys. Hamtaro himself, along with pals Penelope, Bijou, Panda, Boss, Oxnard, Elder Ham and Cappy, are featured exactly as they appear on the Hamtaro series and can "change" into disguises appropriate for the trick-or-treat season, offering kids two toys in one.

Ham-Ham Costumes Inspire Ham-Ham Halloween Episode

This October, Cartoon Network(TM) will air an all-new holiday episode, "Ham-Ham Halloween," which features the hamsters wearing the same costumes as Burger King Corporation's "Ham-Ham Halloween" toys. The special will premiere Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 30 at 8:30 p.m.

About Hamtaro

The latest animé import from Japan, the "Hamtaro" animated television show tells the story of the hero Hamtaro and his good-natured band of hamster friends called the Ham-Hams. Each episode features the little hamsters having big adventures as they misinterpret the world of their human guardians and eventually figure it all out.

About ShoPro Entertainment

ShoPro Entertainment, the San Francisco affiliate of Japan-based Shogakukan Production Co. Ltd. (ShoPro Japan), has brought multi-billion dollar properties and highly rated Japanese television series, including "Hamtaro," "Inuyasha," "Corrector Yui," and "MegaMan: NT Warrior," to broadcasters around the world. Hamtaro (http://www.hamtaro.com/), seen on Cartoon Network(TM), is an entertaining and heartwarming story about a golden hamster named Hamtaro and his hamster friends known as the Ham-Hams. In Japan, "Hamtaro" is one of the country's most popular children's properties and has generated over $3 billion in sales since its launch on TV Tokyo in July 2000. For more information on ShoPro Entertainment and its properties visit http://www.shopro-entertainment.com/ .

About Cartoon Network(TM)

Cartoon Network(TM), currently seen in 84.4 million U.S. homes and 145 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s 24-hour, ad- supported cable service offering the best in animated entertainment. Drawing from the world's largest cartoon library, Cartoon Network(TM) showcases unique original ventures such as Codename: "Kids Next Door"(TM), "The Powerpuff Girls"(TM), "Dexter's Laboratory"(TM), "Samurai Jack"(TM), "Courage the Cowardly Dog"(TM), "Ed, Edd n Eddy"(TM) and other "Cartoon Cartoons"(TM). Since its launch in 1992, Cartoon Network(TM) has remained one of ad-supported cable's highest-rated networks. Cartoon Network's Web site is located at http://cartoonnetwork.com/ (AOL Keyword: Cartoon Network(TM)).

About Burger King Corporation

We take Pride in Serving our Guests the Best Burgers and a variety of other Great Tasting, Healthy Foods that are Cooked over an Open Fire. That's what we're all about.

The BURGER KING system operates more than 11,350 restaurants in all 50 states and in 58 countries and territories around the world. Ninety-one percent of BURGER KING restaurants are owned and operated by independent franchisees, many of them family-owned operations that have been in business for decades.

Burger King Holdings, Inc., the parent company, is private and independently owned by an equity sponsor group comprised of Texas Pacific Group, Bain Capital and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners. In fiscal year ending June 30, 2002, BURGER KING had system-wide sales of $11.3 billion. To learn more about BURGER KING, please visit the company's website at http://www.burgerking.com/ .

CARTOON NETWORK, the logo and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and (C) 2003 Cartoon Network.

AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031002/FLTH001http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990804/FLW005-a Burger King Corporation

CONTACT: Michelle Miguelez of Burger King, +1-305-378-7277, or email,mmiguelez@whopper.com

Web site: http://www.burgerking.com/http://www.shopro-entertainment.com/http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/