Mattel has entered into a sales and distribution agreement with Simon & Schuster.
Under the agreement, Simon & Schuster will handle sales and distribution of the Mattel Press Imprint and the American Girl Publishing Imprint to the U.S. and Canada beginning July 1. The Mattel Press imprint will complement content, support brand initiatives, and create new stories based on iconic Mattel franchises such as Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, Thomas & Friends, Monster High, Polly Pocket, Barney, and more.
“We have seen firsthand the immense value in providing fans of our franchises with multiple avenues to further engage with their favorite Mattel brands, characters, storylines, and worlds,” says Josh Silverman, the Chief Franchise Officer and Global Head of Consumer Products at Mattel. “In launching our own publishing imprint, we simultaneously unlock limitless exploration for kids while continuing to realize the full value of our [intellectual property] IP.”
Releases sold and distributed by Simon & Schuster will include print books, audio books, and eBooks. Select titles from Mattel Press and American Girl Publishing will also be available on Caribu, Mattel’s direct-to-consumer entertainment platform.
