Readerlink Distribution Services has expanded its publishing operations, acquiring a range of assets from Studio Fun International. Before it was restructured and rebranded by parent company Trusted Media Brands, SFI was known as Reader’s Digest Children’s Publishing.
Among the assets acquired are Studio Fun’s branded and non-branded trade and religious formats, packaging formats, international co-edition formats, inventory, vendor and customer lists, as well as records relating to SFI’s business. In addition, Readerlink said it will be assuming certain license agreements with some of SFI’s licensors, and will be working toward entering into its own agreements with remaining key licensors going forward.
Studio Fun’s best-known novelty properties include its Movie Theater Storybook & Music Player series. Its trade list includes numerous titles licensed from Disney, Disney Pixar, Marvel, and LucasFilm, as well as books under license from Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, Mattel, Hasbro, and Sesame Workshop.
Readerlink will consolidate the Studio Fun imprint into its Printers Row Publishing Group, which has its offices in San Diego. Readerlink formed Printers Row following its February 2015 purchase of Baker & Taylor’s publishing division. According to Readerlink, some Studio Fun employees will work with Readerlink to help with the transition. Trusted Brands (which had been known as Reader’s Digest) noted that it is still going ahead with plans to close Studio Fun’s White Plains, N.Y. and Bath U.K. offices.
Readerlink said the purchase, which closed October 14, will have no effect on fall titles. The fall schedule is being published as planned, and sales, billing and fulfillment for trade sales will remain with Simon & Schuster. In addition, SFI will continue to fulfill special and custom edition orders through the remainder of 2016.
