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CKX And Cirque Du Soleil To Develop Elvis Presley Shows And

May 19, 2006 | Other
Here is a pressrelease from CKX and Cirque du Soleil on a new "Elvis Experience Show" the both companies will develop.

New York, N.Y. (May 18, 2006) – CKX, Inc., (NASDAQ: CKXE), through its subsidiary Elvis Presley Enterprises, has entered into an exclusive arrangement with Cirque du Soleil for the creation, development, production and promotion of Elvis Presley Projects, featuring touring and permanent shows, as well as multimedia interactive "Elvis Experiences," throughout the world.

Elvis Presley Projects, expected to debut beginning in 2008, will consist of:

Touring shows that will be produced by Cirque du Soleil and incorporate the name, image, likeness and music of Elvis Presley. Permanent shows at fixed locations that will be produced by Cirque du Soleil and incorporate the name, image, likeness and music of Elvis Presley. Multimedia interactive entertainment "Elvis Experiences" that incorporate the music, memorabilia, audiovisual works, and the life and times of Elvis Presley.

Robert F.X. Sillerman, Chairman and CEO of CKX, Inc., commented, "This arrangement will allow fans around the globe, who have only seen Elvis Presley in movies or listened to his music, to truly experience what it was like to see Elvis perform. Cirque du Soleil remains one of the most stunning and exciting entertainment experiences on the planet and brings the creative genius needed to produce shows and multimedia events that will capture the true Elvis Presley."

Guy Laliberté, Founder and CEO of Cirque du Soleil, commented, "This new arrangement, with such incredible new partners as Robert F.X. Sillerman and his team, promises to be a most exciting and stimulating creative project for Cirque du Soleil. It also clearly demonstrates our intention to pursue the diversification of our artistic content through different live productions."

CKX and Cirque du Soleil will each own 50 percent of each Elvis Presley Project, sharing equally in the costs of creating, developing, building and producing each project and in the profits from each Project. CKX will also receive royalty payments on various aspects of its intellectual property used in the Elvis Presley Projects.

The parties have agreed to open at least one touring show in Europe and/or Asia and one "Elvis Experience" outside of the United States by 2008. Beginning in 2009, at least one Elvis Presley Project will be opened in each of the next six years. Beginning in 2014, at least one Elvis Presley Project will be opened every two years during the next eight years, through 2021. Shows in Las Vegas are not included in this arrangement at this time.

About CKX, Inc.

CKX, Inc., a company controlled by Robert F.X. Sillerman and affiliates, is engaged in the ownership, development and commercial utilization of entertainment content. To date, the Company has focused on acquiring globally recognized entertainment content and related assets, including the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley, the operations of Graceland, the rights to the name, image and likeness of Muhammad Ali and proprietary rights to the IDOLS television brand, including the American Idol series in the United States and local adaptations of the IDOLS television show format which, collectively, air in over 100 countries around the world. CKX plans to continue to make strategic acquisitions of, or partner or align with, companies or individuals that control various forms of established entertainment content, which may include intellectual property rights in music, film, television programming, written works and characters, rights to names, images and likenesses, video games, corporate brands and other related assets. For more information about CKX, Inc., visit its corporate website at www.ckx.com.

About Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil is primarily a creative content provider for a wide variety of unique projects. In addition to shows, the Montreal based company wishes to extend its creative talent to other spheres of activity. While maintaining stringent standards of artistic quality and originality, Cirque du Soleil brings to innovative projects the same energy and spirit that characterizes each of its shows.

Cirque du Soleil is a Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. Since its beginnings in 1984, over 50 million spectators in over a hundred cities on four continents have been thrilled by Cirque du Soleil. In 2006, 13 shows will simultaneously be presented across the globe. Cirque du Soleil is the recipient of many prestigious awards, including the Emmy, Drama Desk, Bambi, ACE, Gémeaux, Félix and Rose d'Or de Montreux.

CKX, Inc
Sean Cassidy
212-981-5233

Ed Tagliaferri
212-981-5182

Robert Zimmerman
212-981-5118

Cirque du Soleil
Renée-Claude Ménard
514-723-7646 (7366)
rcm@cirquedusoleil.com
Source:Various
Teacher wrote on May 19, 2006
Elvis' legacy joining Cirque du Soleil for world tour MEMPHIS (AP) — Elvis Presley is going on a worldwide circus tour. CKX, the parent company of Elvis Presley Enterprises, announced a long-term joint venture Thursday with Cirque du Soleil, the Canadian-based acrobatic troupe known for its extravagant theatrical and acrobatic productions. Cirque du Soleil (French for circus of the sun) will produce a series of shows focused on Presley's life and music and help design interactive, multimedia museums called Elvis Experiences, CKX said. "The partnership promises to not only keep Elvis alive but also to bring a new perspective and vibrancy to Elvis that only the people at Cirque du Soleil could do," said CKX chief executive Robert F.X. Sillerman. Touring productions are expected to get underway in about 18 months in Europe and Asia with the first of a series of Elvis Experience museum opening later in 2008, Sillerman said from his headquarters in New York. Production schedules and museum sites are as yet unsettled. CKX is looking at three to five cities for permanent sites for Elvis shows by Cirque du Soleil, similar to the productions the troupe stages in its Las Vegas theater. Sillerman declined to name the cities under consideration. CKX took over Elvis Presley Enterprises — and the tourist complex at Graceland, his former Memphis residence — when it bought the legal rights to the King of Rock 'n' Roll's name last year from his sole heir, daughter Lisa Marie. CKX also owns the American Idol TV show and other entertainment ventures. Cirque du Soleil, begun in 1984, has staged its elaborate shows around the world. It's scheduled to stage 13 shows this year, including one set to open in Las Vegas next month based on the music of the Beatles. The Elvis shows, for large concert halls or stadiums, are still being designed and are largely in the concept stage. "I would not want to speculate on exactly how Cirque will do that," Sillerman said. "All I know is that whatever they do will be spectacular." There's one thing, though, he's knows the shows won't be. "Although there may be ways that they portray Elvis, it's not going to be an Elvis impersonator show," he said. The Elvis shows are to be high-tech affairs presenting Presley's music and the story of his life through a variety of media. "You might see physical artifacts from Graceland or you might see home movies or you might actually be with Elvis at his dining room table. It's that evolved," Sillerman said. "It's virtual reality."
Gladyslove wrote on May 20, 2006
From a high school fellow to a truck driver, from a truck driver to the greatest artist in history, from the greatest artist to a living legend, from a living legend to a circus clown !?! Lord, have mercy !!!
JerryNodak wrote on May 20, 2006
Gladyslove: While none of us really knows what any of this means yet, I believe "circus clown" is way too pessimistic.
Gladyslove wrote on May 21, 2006
JerryNodak it´s only a joke. This whole thing with the circus sound strange but also funny to me. Of course Elvis is not a circus clown and he is alive and well and we all are dead. That´s the truth. Keep on rockin´ for Elvis. We don´t like Elvis we Love Elvis. Always TCB and TLC, indeed.
Germain Tremblay wrote on May 21, 2006
Do you really know what Cirque du soleil is? It is the greatest entertainment company in the entire world. It is the Cirque du soleil that is making a permanent show in Las Vegas with the Beatles Music. It will be more fantastic with Elvis. The cirque du seleil is not a circus like the others. It is noe a circus with animals. Only humans with ability, poetry, beauty and courage. It will put Elvis into an other level never visited. It will give Elvis a new auditoire. It is what it was needed to give to the entire world a new step to a new level. It is a really good news. You can't imagine what it will produce. You won't beleive it. Stay tuned.
Gladyslove wrote on May 22, 2006
Mr. Germain Tremblay: I know what this circus is I´ve heard about it a few times, only good things. So, let´s take my words a few comments ago as a joke, it´s nothing more. I will stay tuned.
tcb-inaflash wrote on May 22, 2006
Intriguing...