Grupo Prepara, one of the largest education franchises in Brazil formally announced the launch of their latest venture, Pingu’s English, at the prestigious ABF Franchising Expo Fair in Center Norte, Sao Paulo. The event was held in the presence of the British EmbassyConsul General in Sao Paulo, Joana Crellin, who declared her enthusiasm for Pingu’s English and congratulated Grupo Prepara on the launch of their new business.
The arrival of Pingu’s English in Brazil is the result of a partnership between Grupo Prepara and Linguaphone Group, a UK company with headquarters in London. Pingu’s English is a three-level language course for 3-8 year olds, already transforming the way that children learn English and delivered by a network of Master Franchisees in over 30 countries worldwide. Centered around the adventures of Pingu and his friends and family in the South Pole, Pingu’s English uses a wide variety of imaginative activities and multimedia resources to teach children to read, write, listen and speak confidently in the English language.
Grupo Prepara is one of the largest and well-established education and training franchises in Brazil, having won many business awards from the Brazilian Franchise Association (ABF) over the years incuding the ‘Selo De Excelencia’ (Franchising Seal of Excellence award) which they have won five times. Operating for over ten years, Grupo Prepara has over 600 units across Brazil and currently enrols over 200,000 students a year into their wide range of courses. Since recently opening their pilot Pingu’s English school in Sao Paulo, Pingu’s English Brazil are now actively offering Pingu’s English to franchisees and investors across Brazil and will open at least five more Pingu’s English Schools across Brazil this year.
At the launch, invited VIPs and the press were able to hear the vision for the brand as outlined by Rogerio Gabriel, CEO Of Grupo Prepara, who said “We’ve been happy with the first steps we’ve made to launch Pingu’s English in Brazil. From the architectural design of the centres to the quality and effectiveness of the method that is winning over the Brazilian investors and parents alike, we are certain that Pingu’s English will be a success throughout Brazil.”
Head of Business Development for Linguaphone Group, Matt Brown responded, “For children growing up with the 21st Century there has never been a more important time to learn English. Pingu’s English combines a high quality English course with the entertainment value of the character of Pingu allowing children to learn through play. With something like 30 million children in Brazil there is a huge untapped market for Pingu’s English and with an excellent partner like Grupo Prepara we are in a great position to exploit that market”
UKTI and the British Embassy in Sao Paulo played a key role in helping Linguaphone Group to identify potential partners for Pingu’s English in Brazil, which ultimately led to the successful signing of Grupo Prepara as the Master Licensee.
Derek Price, CEO of Linguaphone Group said, “We are delighted with the help and support we have received from UKTI and greatly value the assistance they have provided us in Brazil, which has led to our new partnership with Grupo Prepara. UKTI always provide invaluable on-the-ground support and local knowledge, which we have found invaluable when approaching new markets.”
Following the launch event, Grupo Prepara received a high level of enquiries from prospective investors at the ABF show, and are now looking forward to making progress with their Unit franchisee expansion plan for 2015 -16. Potential investors can visit their website for more detailswww.grupoprepara.com.br/pingusenglish/
Ends
For all media enquiries, please contact
Charlotte Pritchard, Head of Marketing, Linguaphone Group
E-mail: charlotte.pritchard@linguaphonegroup.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 8687 6115
Mobile: +44 (0)7799 723 218
Notes to editors
- Master licensing business opportunities are available for Pingu’s English worldwide. Please call +44 (0)20 8687 6104, emailopportunities@pingusenglish.com or visit www.pingusenglish.com for more information.
- Pingu’s English offers an array of creative learning activities and exercises using high quality, multimedia materials and teaching resources. Each student will take advantage of DVDs, study books, song and story books with CDs plus interactive online learning materials developed by leading English language and child education specialists. Students will also use an activity pack which includes supplementary materials such as character figurines, coloring materials and friezes. There are also extensive teaching resources to assist teachers with each child’s learning and development.
- The Linguaphone Group is a world-leading provider of language training solutions, operating under the internationally recognised Linguaphone, Direct English and Pingu’s English brand names. With over 109 years of experience, the Group has an extensive network of licensed partners across Asia, Europe, the Middle-East and Africa. The Group has also helped millions of people learn a new language through their wide-ranging portfolio of self-study products sold in over 60 countries. Master Franchise opportunities are available for our English language programs worldwide. Please call +44 (0)20 8687 6104, emailopportunities@pingusenglish.com or visit www.pingusenglish.com
- About HIT Entertainment. HIT Entertainment is one of the world’s leading children’s entertainment producers and rights owners. HIT Entertainment is a division of Fisher-Price. HIT’s portfolio includes properties, such as Thomas & Friends®,Barney®, Bob the Builder®, Fireman Sam€, Angelina Ballerina®, Mike the Knight™, Pingu® and Rainbow Magic®. Launched in 1989, HIT’s lines of business span television and video production, content distribution, publishing, consumer products licensing, digital media, and live events and has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan. For more information, visit www.hitentertainment.com. To download artwork, please visit www.hitnewsonline.com.
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