| Global event and project management company Zazz | | | | an authentic experience on an original steam train |
| Projects Ltd has renewed its contract to manage | | | | similar to that on which the Thomas character is |
| and deliver the 'Days Out With Thomas' events for | | | | based. |
| HIT Entertainment in 2010, a significant year for | | | | |
| Thomas & Friends as they celebrate their 65th | | | | Ends |
| anniversary. | | | | |
| | | | | |
| ‘Days Out With Thomas’ involves 30 | | | | Press release issued by Jane Shepherd, Shepherd PR |
| heritage and tourist attractions across the UK playing | | | | Limited. |
| host to large-scale family events featuring Thomas | | | | +44 1538 308685 / |
| and his railway friends. | | | | +44 7985 129315 |
| | | | | |
| Thomas & Friends is the world’s number | | | | Further information about HIT Entertainment: |
| one pre-school property and is broadcast in more | | | | Patricia Lodge, |
| than 185 territories in 30 languages around the | | | | Director PR & Communications, HIT |
| world. | | | | Entertainment |
| | | | | +44 207 554 2566 / Notes To Editors |
| Since securing its first ‘Days Out With | | | | About Zazz Projects Limited |
| Thomas’ contract in Autumn 2007, Zazz has | | | | Zazz Projects Ltd (Zazz) was launched in 2003 and |
| managed a broad-ranging programme centred on | | | | offers a range of turnkey project management |
| evaluating the operations and facilities at the event | | | | solutions to an international client base within the |
| venues. | | | | leisure, tourism and visitor attractions' market, along |
| | | | | with the co-ordination of one-off events and their |
| Zazz has also taken responsibility for the customer | | | | professional operation. Areas of expertise include |
| service element, while content has been developed | | | | festival and event management, operational |
| to create value both for the customer, as well as the | | | | procedures, event co-ordination, project management |
| venues holding the events. | | | | and the development, set-up and management of |
| | | | | attractions world wide. Zazz is managed by directors |
| Zazz has worked to increase the experience and | | | | Mark Braddock and Rosa Tahmaseb, who have |
| atmosphere at each location and instigated a number | | | | wide-ranging knowledge and experience in developing, |
| of new initiatives to bring-to-life the Thomas | | | | planning, delivering and operating complex events and |
| experience for visitors - including a series of | | | | attractions. |
| re-enactments that involve characters, engines and | | | | It is a truly ‘hands-on’ company, focused on |
| visitors. | | | | working with clients and their internal teams to |
| | | | | ensure every project is given 100 per cent attention |
| And, to mark Thomas & Friends’ high profile | | | | to detail – meeting client expectations and |
| 65th anniversary in 2010, selected venues will be | | | | achieving the highest standards. |
| hosting celebration parties and Zazz will be | | | | To view the company's extensive portfolio and find |
| implementing even more competitions, marketing | | | | out more about the services it offers, please log on |
| activity and giveaways . | | | | to |
| | | | | Zazz Projects Limited |
| Mark Braddock, a director of Zazz, which is based in | | | | Suite 1, Uttoxeter Business Centre |
| Staffordshire, UK, said: | | | | Town Meadows Way, Uttoxeter |
| "We are delighted to be on board for this milestone | | | | ST14 8AZ |
| year and build upon the processes we have | | | | United Kingdom |
| introduced over the last two years. | | | | Tel + 44 (0) 1889 560676 |
| | | | | About HIT Entertainment |
| “Days Out With Thomas opens up the world of | | | | HIT Entertainment, owned by private equity |
| steam engines to a wider audience. It is a rewarding | | | | investment group Apax Partners, is one of the |
| and challenging project that involves careful planning, | | | | world's leading independent children's entertainment |
| implementation and control to ensure satisfaction not | | | | producers and rights-owners. HIT's portfolio includes |
| only for visitors to the events, but the venues | | | | properties, such as Barney™, Bob the Builder™, |
| hosting the days out too. | | | | Thomas & Friends™, Pingu™, Fireman |
| | | | | Sam™, Angelina Ballerina™ and Rainbow |
| “All the work we have done to date has been | | | | Magic™. HIT represents Chapman |
| carried out with the aim of developing the Day Out | | | | Entertainment’s Fifi and the Flowertots™ and |
| With Thomas brand and vision into a high-end event | | | | Roary the Racing Car™ in North America and |
| with consistency.” | | | | Japan, as well as Wallace & Gromit™, Shaun |
| | | | | the Sheep™, Timmy Time™ and Aardman |
| Marion Cursons, Director Live Events and Attractions, | | | | Classics from Aardman Animations. HIT also acts as |
| HIT Entertainment, said: “We are pleased to | | | | representative for The Wiggles® in the UK. |
| renew our relationship with Zazz who will continue to | | | | Launched in 1989, HIT’s lines of business span |
| manage and deliver Days Out With Thomas for HIT | | | | television and video production, content distribution, |
| Entertainment. | | | | publishing, consumer products licensing and live events |
| | | | | and has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong |
| “These are a highly popular element of our | | | | and Japan. HIT is a part-owner of US-based |
| events and attractions business, delighting many | | | | preschool channel, PBS KIDS SproutSM, and |
| Thomas fans and railway enthusiasts across the UK. | | | | international preschool channel JimJam, (outside of the |
| They provide the public with an opportunity to enjoy | | | | US, UK and China). |