Discovery Communications’ publishing program is set to expand with an array of new titles from Time Inc. Books, Parragon, and other licensees. In addition to its flagship Discovery brand, the company’s networks include Discovery Kids, Animal Planet, TLC, and Investigation Discovery.
Sue Perez-Jackson, Discovery Communications’ director of licensing, welcomes her company’s recently signed, three-year deal with Time Inc. Books (booth 2050, 2051) for nonfiction children’s titles under the Animal Planet brand (see story on page 32). “Animal Planet is all about animals and humans’ connections to animals, and that will be reflected in the books,” she says. “Formats will include early readers, chapter books, and board books, with a sweet spot in the 4–8-year-old age range.”
Discovery Communications has also continued to build its reach into the children’s publishing arena with Parragon (booth 2556, 2557), a licensee since 2008, which continues to expand its program with a number of new titles in coloring, activity, sticker, reference, and fact book formats. One highlight is the Discovery Kids Factivity series, which includes such topics as the human body and dinosaurs, both published in December 2014. “Book-plus is an area we want to develop,” says Perez-Jackson.
Elsewhere on the exhibit floor, on the adult side, Discovery and Crown Publishers, an imprint of Penguin Random House (booth 3119), is introducing the first book tied to the Puppy Bowl, Animal Planet’s annual counterprogramming to the NFL Super Bowl half-time show. The companion book features photographic memories from 11 years of Puppy Bowls. “It’s for all ages, a giftable book for family and friends,” says Perez-Jackson.
Richard Rawlings, the owner of Gas Monkey Garage and star of Discovery’s highly rated series Fast ’n’ Loud, is the author of a part-memoir, part-automotive handbook from HarperCollins (booth 2038). Fast ’n’ Loud, Sweat and Beers will be of interest to classic car aficionados, as well as fans of the show.
This article appeared in the May 27, 2015 edition of PW BEA Show Daily.
