New York,
NY (February
7,
2006) --
Scholastic Media (SM), a world leader in children’s entertainment, announced today the creation of the Scholastic Audio Group. The new group, created to tap into the rapidly growing and ever-expanding audio market, will release six titles this summer for children of all ages. The titles will be distributed at retail, mass merchants, and wholesale accounts as well as through Scholastic’s library and proprietary channels. The company is also planning to distribute its audio content on rapidly expanding delivery systems such as online downloads and handheld MP3 players, among others. The Scholastic Audio Group will be headed by Jennifer Feldman, Publisher, who will report directly to Alan Waldman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Interactive Products, Scholastic Media.
“The audio industry represents a high growth business with the recent advent of downloadable content and portable music devices,” said Deborah Forte, President of Scholastic Media. “ Scholastic is a content leader in both the publishing and media industries, with some of the most widely read, played and viewed books, interactive games and entertainment programming available for children. We look forward to publishing content on audio and providing children with exposure to great books through an array of media platforms.”
Scholastic Audio Group will release four read-along titles, including Clifford the Big Red Dog® by Norman Bridwell, Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino, Ella the Elegant Elephant by Carmela and Steven D’Amico, and The Teacher From the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler, and two middle grade audiobooks, including The Revenge of the Shadow King by Derek Benz and J.S. Lewis and The Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill, for its initial launch this summer. Twenty titles are planned for release in the first year. The read-alongs, for early learners (ages 3-8), will be accompanied by paperback books allowing children to follow along with the audio narration on compact disc. The audiobooks for middle grade and young adults (ages 9-16) will be published as unabridged readings on compact disc. In addition, titles will be available digitally online.
About Scholastic Media
Scholastic Media (SM) is the entertainment and media division of Scholastic Inc., the global children's publishing and media company. A proven leader and innovator in the children's entertainment landscape and award-winning licensor and marketer of children's properties worldwide, SM ranks as one of the foremost producers of quality, family-oriented content for all platforms, including television programming, feature films, home entertainment, interactive, and the Internet.
About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company's Internet site,
www.scholastic.com.