Entertainment Rights Plc ("ER") the UK's leading global media group specialising in the ownership of children's and family programming, characters and brands announces today the acquisition of worldwide publishing phenomenon, Where's Wally?

Today's agreement sees ER acquiring worldwide in perpetuity audio visual, licensing and merchandising, publishing, live events and digital rights to Where's Wally? (subject only to creator Martin Handford reserving the right to continue creating and publishing Where's Wally? titles in their original format).

First published in 1986, Where's Wally? is one of the most recognisable children's characters in the world with over 76 million books and collectable artworks sold worldwide, generating sales in excess of £81 million. The successful series of 60 pictorial puzzle books is based on searching and finding Wally and friends. Published in over 50 countries and translated into 26 languages, Where's Wally? has strong heritage around the world and is most popular in key territories including Europe, Japan and the US where he is known as Where's Waldo?

The Where's Wally? books are published by Walker Books in the UK and as Where's Waldo? by Candlewick Press in the US. Where's Wally? titles have hit the No.1 slot in the New York Times best seller list 3 times and previously held the record as the fastest selling children's book of all time (pre-Harry Potter). The Where's Wally? character has reached iconic status and as well as making numerous guest appearances on top rated, primetime TV shows including Frasier, Friends and The Simpsons, Wally has also been featured on the front cover of the 1,000th edition of Rolling Stone magazine where he was featured as one of the cultural icons of the last 40 years.

ER's acquisition of Where's Wally? creates the opportunity to develop a multi media global content strategy for the Where's Wally? brand. Where's Wally? is a unique brand that presents significant opportunities for exploitation as a multi media property, offering unlimited potential for launch onto new media platforms including web, software, mobile, hand held consoles for entertainment, gaming, education, interaction and competition. ER will create new animated and live action content with multi platform application expected to launch worldwide in 2008/2009.

The acquisition of Where's Wally? follows ER's recently completed purchase of leading US media Company, Classic Media and Wally joins ER's enlarged cast of iconic characters including Postman Pat, Lassie, Rupert Bear, Casper the Friendly Ghost and Basil Brush.

Jane Smith, Group Commercial Director, Entertainment Rights said: "We are delighted to have secured the rights to global publishing phenomenon, Where's Wally? We believe that in today's increasingly pervasive digital environment, Where's Wally? is a unique property which has huge potential as a multi media brand. This immensely popular character has yet to be fully exploited outside publishing and with ER's expertise in building and reinvigorating brands, we are confident that we can build this huge publishing sensation into a significant global brand."

Martin Handford, Creator, Where's Wally? added: "I am delighted that Wally can now be found among Entertainment Rights' happy family. Characters such as Postman Pat and Rupert Bear are perfect companions for this next and most exciting stage of the 'Where's Wally?' adventure. Entertainment Rights has both the integrity and experience needed to provide Wally, Woof and chums with a solid commercial platform for continued success and development. I am thrilled to have found such a safe and nurturing environment from which Wally can set off on his ever more adventurous travels!"