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TORONTO, October 23, 2003 –
STOTT PILATES, a subsidiary of Merrithew Corporation and recognized by industry experts as one of
Canada’s fastest growing companies and the world’s foremost pilates exercise brand, has signed
a long-term distribution agreement with Santa Monica, CA. based Artisan Home Entertainment.
“Artisan is committed to making STOTT PILATES a household name by increasing distribution of
our ‘At Home’ line of videos through major retailers across the United States. This is an
opportunity for us to reach a much wider audience,” says Lindsay G. Merrithew, executive producer and
president and CEO of STOTT PILATES.
Pilates ranked fastest growing exercise format in America
– American Sports Data
The STOTT PILATES video collection of “At Home” and “Professional” titles
represents the most comprehensive line of its kind, providing invigorating videos from beginner to advanced
levels of proficiency for the at-home exerciser and fitness professionals. With its recent addition of
multi-featured DVDs, STOTT PILATES has raised the bar for in the fitness video category.
“The STOTT PILATES videos are truly one-of-a-kind teaching tools that anyone can watch and use
to improve their physical health. STOTT PILATES is truly the most credible source available in the market
for pilates instruction. When a consumer buys a STOTT PILATES tape or DVD they can be assured that they
are learning from the ‘source’ of state-of-the-art pilates.
These videos are unlike many other pilates videos in that they offer a much wider range of exercises to
choose from, given the sizable number of titles in the collection. We believe these videos will be a tremendous
success across all demographics and spur the popularity the of fitness genre in general,” commented Steve
Beeks, Artisan Home Entertainment President.
STOTT PILATES videos bring a fresh new look to Artisan Home Entertainment’s highly successful line
of fitness related videos, which include the Denise Austin line as well as the popular Yoga Fusion series,
Paula Abdul’s Get Up and Dance and the recently acquired Wai Lana Yoga exercise video series.
STOTT PILATES co-founders, Moira and Lindsay G. Merrithew, entered the video production business in
1997, releasing their first Pilates fitness video: “STOTT PILATES Essential Matwork*.”
Today, the company offers more than 50 fitness videos for professionals as well as at-home exercise
enthusiasts, and has sold close to a million copies. STOTT PILATES has published numerous professional
manuals to accompany its training and certification programs. Together, the videos and manuals form the most
detailed documentation of pilates exercise available.
Known as a no-impact system of exercise designed to strengthen the weak and challenge the strong, the
STOTT PILATES method was developed as a contemporary, anatomically based approach to the original
teachings of German expatriate, Joseph Pilates, under the direction of STOTT PILATES executive director,
Moira Merrithew, who is also featured in the videos.
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In the past year alone, American Sports Data reported that participation in pilates grew more than 90 percent
from 2.4 million participants to 4.7 million. STOTT PILATES has ranked among Canada’s fasted
growing companies in Canada (PROFIT, The Magazine for Canadian Entrepreneurs™) for the past four
consecutive years. It is the recognized leader among fitness professionals and athletes worldwide and is
considered safe and effective for everyone from baby boomers to elite athletes. Artisan Entertainment Inc. is the leading independent producer and distributor of theatrical, television and
home entertainment product. The Company coordinates its business activities through two wholly owned
operating divisions, Artisan Pictures and Artisan Home Entertainment. Artisan plans to introduce
STOTT PILATES to U.S. audiences through a targeted direct response television campaign scheduled to launch
in January 2004. The line will then be released into the U.S. retail marketplace for the first time ever
beginning in May 2004.
In Canada, STOTT PILATES titles on DVD and VHS titles are available at major retail stores across
Canada including Chapters-Indigo, Blockbuster, London Drugs and Calgary Co-op through SMA Distribution.
Earlier this year, Mr. and Mrs. Merrithew launched the first-ever national pilates television program
“STOTT PILATES with Moira” on WTSN, the Women’s Television Sports Network. They were
also finalists in this year’s coveted Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. STOTT PILATES,
a subsidiary of Merrithew Corporation, is the only full-service organization of its kind, providing pilates
equipment, education and videos worldwide.
To Purchase:
All products can be ordered through STOTT PILATES by calling toll-free
in North America 1-800-910-0001 or online at www.stottpilates.com
Attention Media:
High-resolution images of the aforementioned products are available.
Please email marketing@stottpilates.com
STOTT PILATES, a subsidiary of the Merrithew Corporation, is the only full-service organization of
its kind providing high-caliber pilates education, videos and equipment worldwide. Founded in Toronto in 1988
by Lindsay G. Merrithew and Moira Merrithew, the company’s mission is to promote the benefits of
mind-body fitness worldwide. Visit www.stottpilates.com
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