Buffett stars in children's toon

Mr Buffett will tackle financial skulduggery in his adventures

Children as young as five are to be given financial advice from one of the richest men in the world, after a firm signed him up for a cartoon DVD.

US investment guru Warren Buffett, dubbed The Sage of Omaha, will feature in an animated series produced by brand management firm DIC Entertainment.

He is the world's second richest man, said to be worth $40bn (�22.6bn).

Now he is to feature as a financial mentor for children in a series called The Secret Millionaire's Club.

It will feature the voice and likeness of Mr Buffett, known for his folksy style and ukulele playing.

"We could not have asked for a more inspirational partner to create an equally inspirational and entertaining DVD series," said Andrew Heyward, chairman and chief executive of DIC.

Corporate raiders

The returns Mr Buffett has generated through his Berkshire Hathaway investment firm have won him a loyal investor base and turned many of his followers into multi-millionaires.

Warren Buffett Wears sweatshirts in spare time Enjoys burgers, fries and cola Plays bridge and ukulele Former night school teacher

The cartoons will show Mr Buffett helping children pick firms to invest in, with plots that also include a rogue's gallery of corporate raiders, crooked politicians and corrupt accountants.

In one of them four children raise money to save their youth club from an unscrupulous property developer.

The first two DVDs are due by the end of 2006, with the series to run to 13 adventures. It is aimed at children aged five to 12.

Financial details of the deal were not revealed. Mr Buffett is second only to Bill Gates in the global wealth stakes.

DIC Entertainment has a market value of around �108m ($189m), has its headquarters in Burbank, California. It also has offices in London, Paris and Cologne.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version