Companies: BKN   

Global animation venture BKN, which boasts Highlander in its film library, has become the first German company listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange to list on AIM under new 'fast track' rules. These were brought in by the LSE in June and allow companies listed on 'designated markets' to join without an admission document - other designated exchanges include the likes of the Aussie and Johannesburg stock exchanges, Euronext, NASDAQ, the NYSE, and of course the UK's official list. Teather & Greenwood is BKN's nomad, whilst Brown Shipley is the company broker. BKN itself, which distributes and markets animated kids TV shows and related consumer products, is to complete a rights issue and placing of up to 4.2m shares. Several big investors including chairman Allen Bohbot have agreed to take up 50% of the offer not taken up by new investors or existing shareholders. Bohbot, chairman and chief executive of the Deutsche Bourse-quoted concern, says the placing will enable BKN to expand in the UK and Europe, and better market a forthcoming feature 'Legend of the Dragon'. Intriguingly, a chap named Richard Ungar will executive produce the new 'Legend of the Dragon' series - Ungar was recently president of The Marvel Character Group, involved in producing the schedule for animated series like 'X-Men:Evolution' and 'Spiderman'.