THE 99 are the world’s first superheroes based on Islamic culture and history. The series promotes universal themes of tolerance, teamwork and appreciation of diversity. Launched in the MENA region in 2006, THE 99 is now published in several languages in licensed editions throughout the world. THE 99 are also featured in a weekly comic strip published by leading newspapers in the GCC. In addition, the characters are featured on a series of licensed merchandise from Back to School products to mobile phone content from China to Spain. In March 2009, the first of THE 99 Village branded theme parks was launched in Kuwait.

Production of THE 99 animated television series will begin airing with a primetime ninety-minute special by the end of 2009 or early 2010. Regular weekly offerings of the series will begin at Ramadan 2010. Twenty-six episodes of the Teshkeel/Endemol series are already in various stages of production with another twenty-six soon to be commissioned. Teshkeel’s partner, Endemol is the world’s largest producer of syndicated television programs.

“Teshkeel is excited to participate again in the Dubai International Character and Licensing Fair following the great response to our attendance last year, said Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, founder and CEO of Teshkeel Media Group. “The Fair is an important venue to meet future licensees and exchange information with fellow exhibitors. It also helps us keep our fan base up to date with our latest adventures.”

Since its creation, THE 99 has received universal acclaim of the worldwide press with FORBES identifying THE 99 as one of ‘The Top 20 Trends Sweeping the Globe’.
Major feature stories regarding THE 99 have been published in Newsweek, Time, New York Times, Reuters, AFP, le Monde, Der Spiegel, Al Watan, PBS Frontline World, International Herald Tribune, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Jornal Do Commercio, The Guardian, CNBC-Arabia, Emirates Today, Arab Ad, Saudi Aramco World and Shaufi Mafi-Lebanon.

DC Comics recently announced collaboration with Teshkeel to develop a mini-series that will partner THE 99 with Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and the other superheroes of The Justice League of America.

Visit www.the99.org for continuing news updates and download your free sample issue of THE 99.

About Teshkeel Media Group KSC
Teshkeel Media Group, KSC (www.teshkeel.com) is one of the Middle East’s leading developers of children’s entertainment. Based in Kuwait, and with offices in New York, the company’s mission is to provide positive, high-quality children’s content in the region through print and electronic media, film and television. Teshkeel’s original character properties include THE 99 (www.the99.org), an award-winning superhero series based on Islamic culture and history, with major awards from the World Economic Forum, Columbia Business School, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Tufts University and accolades from FORBES for being “One of the Top 20 Trends Sweeping the Globe”.

About Character Dubai
Dubai International Character & Licensing Fair, the first and only dedicated trade event in the Middle East for production, marketing and licensing of cartoon characters, animation, logos, films, brands, arts & designs will be held from 27 – 29, October 2009 at Hall 5, 6 & 7 of Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre - Dubai, UAE. Under the Patronage of H.H. Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. The Dubai International Character & Licensing Fair – Character Dubai is officially supported by Dubai Convention Bureau, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD). The event is in conjunction with Dubai World Game Expo and Dubai World Game Championship.

The Dubai International Character and Licensing Fair is the ideal platform in bringing together the leading international animation producers, content creators, comics, media, advertisers, graphic designers, marketers, manufacturers, retailers, licensees, licensing agents, licensors and other decision makers and investors from the entire Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, the Indian Sub - continent, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas.

Character Dubai will be the gateway to access the burgeoning animation, licensing, media, retail & publishing marketing in the Middle East & North Africa Region. The 3-day event will be a one-stop shop for hundreds of business deals, partnerships & agencies contract.