Disney Publishing and Random House Announce Licensing Agreement

Posted on May 10, 2000

Disney Publishing Worldwide and Random House Inc. have announced that they have entered into a major multi-year licensing agreement. The agreement, which begins on Jan. 1, 2001, grants Random House Children's Books, an imprint of Random House, the rights to publish books in North America based on Disney properties and featuring Disney characters. Under the agreement, Random House will publish hundreds of titles across a wide array of formats for young readers, including coloring and activity books, storybooks, novelty books and early readers.

The agreement was announced by Deborah Dugan, senior vice president, managing director, Disney Publishing Worldwide and Erik Engstrom, president and chief operating officer, Random House Inc. It marks the first time the two companies have formed a significant publishing relationship.

``We are very excited about our new licensing agreement with Random House,'' said Dugan. ``The Disney Publishing-Random House relationship will bring together some of the most-beloved children's characters of all time with one of America's foremost publishers of literature for young people. This agreement is about innovation. In Random House we have found a publisher who can bring a fresh editorial and marketing approach to the treasures of the Disney portfolio.''

Kristina Peterson, president, Random House Children's Media Group, and Craig Virden, president and publisher, Random house Children's Books, will oversee the development and implementation of the Random House-Disney publishing program. The books in the program will draw upon such classic Disney live-action and animated feature films as Toy Story 2, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King and future Disney animated films. There will also be books inspired by classic characters as Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and Cinderella.

Engstrom said, ``Our commitment to Disney reflects Random House's desire to significantly grow its children's publishing business, and Disney is the ideal ally with whom we can achieve this goal as we do some terrific publishing together.''