LONDON, May 30, 2012: Entertainment One Family (eOne Family) can today reveal that Scholastic and Candlewick Press are on board as the U.S. publishing partners for Peppa Pig.
Scholastic will launch its Peppa Pig publishing program with the picture book, The Story of Peppa Pig, a paper over board storybook. The launch plans also include Class Trip, a paperback 8×8, and Peppa Pig: Fun with Friends, a sticker storybook.
Candlewick Press, a leading independent publisher for children, is also preparing to publish a range of hardcover and premium quality Peppa Pig novelty books which will augment Scholastic’s offering. Candlewick will debut its line at retail with a hardcover picture book entitled Peppa Pig and the Lost Christmas List coming in September 2012, followed by Peppa Pig and the Muddy Puddles and Peppa Pig and the Busy Day at School in spring 2013.
Both publishers will be working closely with Fisher-Price and Entertainment One on a coordinated retail launch in August when the first Peppa Pig toys, books and DVDs will be released concurrently to guarantee maximum exposure for the brand in the U.S.
Andrew Carley, Head of Global Licensing at Entertainment One said, “Publishing has always been a crucial category to the licensing program so we’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Scholastic and Candlewick Press to the Peppa licensing program. With strong broadcast, publishing and toy partners now firmly in place we have a solid foundation to build on and we’re focusing on a strategy that will ensure long term growth for the brand in the U.S.”
“We are long-time fans of Peppa and have been waiting patiently for her arrival in the U.S.,” said Debra Dorfman, VP and Publisher, Scholastic. “We are excited about partnering with Entertainment One and I know the adorable books we are planning to publish will please all of her fans.”
Joan Powers, Editor at Large for Candlewick said, “We’re thrilled to help introduce Peppa Pig to North American readers. We’ve watched Peppa become a superstar in the UK and are delighted to watch her growing popularity among children and families here.”
About Entertainment One Family
Entertainment One Family is a leader in brand management, creating and producing family programming that airs on major international broadcasters including Nick Jr. (UK & U.S.), Channel 5, Cartoon Network and Teletoon. eOne Family also oversees international sales for the programs it creates including No. 1 UK preschool franchise “Peppa Pig,” BAFTA award winning “Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom,” “Humf” and “Rob the Robot.” eOne Family’s Licensing and Merchandising team manages branding programs for each of eOne’s key family franchises notably “Peppa Pig” which now generates £200m in retail sales in the UK per annum.
About Entertainment One
Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE: ETO) is a leading international entertainment company that specializes in the acquisition, production and distribution of film and television content. The company’s comprehensive network extends around the globe including Canada, the U.S., the UK, Ireland, Benelux, France, Germany, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Through established Entertainment and Distribution divisions, the company provides extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production, family programming and merchandising and licensing. Its current rights library is exploited across all media formats and includes more than 24,000 film and television titles, 2,700 hours of television programming and 45,000 music tracks.
For press enquiries please contact:
Shara Benison
Child’s Play Communications
Email: sb@childsplaypr.com; phone: 212-488-2060 x16
Catherine Colford
Child’s Play Communications
Email: cc@childsplaypr.com; phone: 212-488-2060 x17