Disney to Expand its Publishing Business
Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) will extend its U.S. magazine business – currently targeted to moms with the monthly Disney FamilyFun – with new magazines aimed at kids.
The first magazine in the program, Phineas and Ferb, will be a bi-monthly magazine available at retail outlets and by subscription.
DPW will follow the launch of Phineas and Ferb with three special interest publications, all featuring content inspired by Marvel and Disney-Pixar feature film releases.
[ Also Read: Storybook for Children on Biometric Security ]This April will see the release of Thor, followed later in 2011 with the launch of Cars 2 and Captain America. Each will be stand-alone publications available at retail for $9.99.
Cars magazine, a subscription-based monthly, will launch this fall and will feature favorite characters including Lightning McQueen and Mater as well as new characters from the upcoming Cars 2 feature film.
“We saw with last year’s publication of our Toy Story 3 and Phineas and Ferb special interest publications that there is certainly a demand in the market for high quality kids’ magazines,” says Aparna Pande, vice president & general manager, U.S. Magazines, DPW.
“It’s a natural extension of our existing business—we have the content along with the consumer marketing and distribution expertise, and it allows Disney Publishing to continue delivering great publications that get kids reading wherever and whenever they want.”
[ Also Read: Saving Kids from the Dangers of Social Networks ]According to Disney, Phineas and Ferb is currently ranked as the #1 animated television show among tweens ages 9 – 14 in the U.S.
Each 52-page issue of Phineas and Ferb magazine offers fans activities including comics, games, cutouts, quizzes, and posters—starring Phineas, Ferb, Candace, Dr. Doofenshmirtz, Perry the Platypus, and other famous characters from the Disney XD series.
[ Also Read: Superhero Robojit Lands on the Sand Planet ]Fans can subscribe online by visiting www.disneymagazines.com/phineasandferb. The magazine is available on newsstands for $4.99 and for an annual subscription rate of $23.95.
Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world’s leading publisher of children’s books and magazines, with over 250 million children’s books and over 400 million children’s magazines sold each year.
