(Deerfield, Illinois, December 1, 2014) – JRL Group announced it has secured a licensing partnership between Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. and Phoenix International Publications, Inc. to develop and market a line of high-quality educational products under the Britannica Kids brand. JRL Group is Encyclopaedia Britannica’s exclusive licensing agency.

“We look forward to working with the team at Phoenix International Publications to tap into the content rich library of Encyclopaedia Britannica,” stated Andrew Lieb, President of JRL Group.  “This partnership will complement the other Encyclopaedia Britannica branded educational products already sold at retail.

“We are thrilled to use our expertise in creating electronic children’s books in partnership with Encyclopaedia Britannica,” said Jack Alexander, CEO, Phoenix International Publications. “We are committed to enlightening, educating, and engaging children with our innovative, interactive products.”

The first product, Britannica Interactive Animal Library, is now available at leading retailers including Costco, Costco Canada, and Toys ‘R’ Us. The Britannica Kids Interactive Animal Library is an 8-book boxed set, complete with the following titles: Tooth & Claw, Reptiles, Birds, Bugs, Extinct Animals, Amazing Mammals, Sea Animals, and Hoof & Horns. Each book is made up of interesting facts and questions and includes vivid photos and illustrations about a number of captivating animals. The set includes an interactive pen that lights up and provides audio answers to the quiz at the end of each section.

This partnership, among others, adds to the wide array of Encyclopaedia Britannica and Britannica Kids–branded educational products sold at retail and online. The Britannica Interactive Animal Library will complement the launch of previous items at retail, including the Britannica Interactive Science Library, the Britannica U.S. Talking Puzzles, and the Britannica Kids: U.S. Presidents app on iTunes.

About EncyclopaediaBritannica

Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. (www.britannica.com) is a leader in reference and education publishing whose products can be found on many media, from online to mobile phones to books. A pioneer in electronic publishing since the early 1980s, the company continues to publish the 32-volume Encyclopaedia Britannica, along with a variety of educational Web sites and software serving both the consumer and institutional markets. Britannica’s editorial operation is overseen by some of the world’s most distinguished scholars. The company makes its headquarters in Chicago.

About Phoenix International Publications

Phoenix International Publications, Inc., headquartered in Lincolnwood, Illinois, is the publisher of pi kids® books, and is a recently acquired division of Phoenix Publishing & Media Group (PPMG), the largest publishing company in China, headquartered in Nanjing, China. pi kids (pikidsmedia.com) is formerly the children’s division of Publications International, Ltd., a long-time leader in the field of interactive sound storybooks for young readers. Licensing partners include Disney, Nickelodeon, and Sesame Workshop. pi kids is a trademark of Phoenix International Publications, Inc., and is registered in the United States.

About JRL Group

JRL Group, headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, is a full-service licensing and marketing agency specializing in the development and extension of corporate brands, trademarks, and sports and entertainment properties. JRL Group represents a broad range of clients in automotive, retail, sports, entertainment, publishing, and home fashion industries. The company’s website address is www.jrlgroup.com.