Press Releases
For Immediate Release
Contact: Amy Cathey, 612-337-9610; amyc@manhattantoy.com
Manhattan Toy Announces Licensing Partnership With Scholastic To Expand The Groovy Girls® World for 2004
January 5, 2004 (Minneapolis, Minnesota) — Minneapolis-based Manhattan Toy is joining forces with Scholastic, the global children's publishing and media company, to develop a series of original books and magazines based on the highly popular Groovy Girls - the widely acclaimed family of soft dolls that help girls celebrate personal style, diversity and the power of friendship.
Roger Bildsten, President of Manhattan Toy says, "We are very excited about partnering with Scholastic. They are a wonderful publishing organization and this is a great opportunity to bring Groovy Girls to life in a new way. We will be able to reach more girls and share with them the brand message that every girl is unique and possesses her own style."
Scholastic and Manhattan Toy entered into an agreement to publish and sell original Groovy Girls books and magazines for North America through a book club of monthly shipments to the home, with an anticipated launch date of September 2004. Groovy Girls will come to life in a series of original chapter books geared toward girls in third through fifth grades. A Groovy Girls/Scholastic magazine focusing on lifestyle and activities is also planned for late 2004.
The Groovy Girls stories will personify the characteristics that have made Groovy Girls so popular with girls - happy, confident and friendly characters with a hip, personal style all their own. The stories will take place in a contemporary setting and deal with the day-to-day adventures of a group of pre-teen friends.
"We're excited about developing a club based on the Groovy Girls brand and all new doll characters and their friendship adventures," said Susan Bishansky, Vice President and Editorial Director, Scholastic Book Group.
Manhattan Toy introduced Groovy Girls initially in 1998 as part of its overall collection of distinctive soft toys that inspire creative play. The Company now offers more than 100 Groovy Girls dolls and accessories and has licensed the brand to a number of companies making quality girls' products including fashion accessories, sleepwear, jewelry, activity kits, fashion toys, games and puzzles. Manhattan Toy distributes Groovy Girls through more than 5,000 specialty retailers worldwide. For more information on the entire collection of Groovy Girls and other products from Manhattan Toy, visit www.manhattantoy.com.
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books. 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.