Here is some good news for those out there worried about the longevity of pony! Hasbro looks to be setting it's sights far into the future, with an extension on their book license with Little Brown Books.
After a combined total of 3.7 million sales between Transformers and cartoon horses (with 3 million of those being pony since 2013), they are feeling pretty confident that the momentum isn't dying down anytime soon.
For those that haven't been following what they released these last few years, Little Brown is behind the Daring Do novels, solo adventure pony books, and upcoming Lyra and Bonbon Agents of S.M.I.L.E.
In 2017, they plan to launch a new chapter book series based on Friendship is Magic. Hopefully we get more information on that soon!
You can find the full press release below.
LITTLE, BROWN BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS AND HASBRO, INC. EXTEND SUCCESSFUL PUBLISHING PARTNERSHIP THROUGH 2018
Bestselling My Little Pony and Transformers Programs have Sold 3.7 Million Copies to Date
New York, NY [January 15, 2016]—Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, a leading trade publisher of children’s books, and Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), a global company creating the world’s best play experiences, have extended their agrement through 2018 to publish books based on the world famous My Little Pony and Transformers franchises and have added Littlest Pet Shop to their publishing portfolio, it was announced today by Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President and Deputy Publisher at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, and Michael Kelly, Head of Hasbro Global Publishing.
“Our relationship with Little, Brown has been highly rewarding,” said Kelly. “Based on our amazing success to date, extending our agreement with such a creative and imaginative publisher makes perfect sense.”
“Our My Little Pony and Transformers titles have been enormously successful, and we’re thrilled to be extending our relationship with Hasbro,” said Smith. “We look forward to many more years of collaborating on books with creative and original storytelling in innovative formats that expand the rich worlds of these beloved brands.”
The publishing programs for both My Little Pony and Transformers have included a wide array of traditionally bestselling formats including 8′′ x 8′′ storybooks, leveled readers, and chapter book series that have engaged fans of all ages.
The My Little Pony program reached a milestone this year, having sold over 3 million books since launching in spring 2013. Contributing to this success were unique and fan-favorite formats such as the jacketed picture book Under the Sparkling Sea, The Castles of Equestria pop-up book, in-world titles like The Elements of Harmony and The Journal of the Two Sisters, and the lavish, innovative Daring Do Adventure Collection, which was awarded a 2015 International Licensing Industry Merchandiser’s Association (LIMA) Award. The My Little Pony program has also grown with the inclusion of a chapter book series based on the popular Equestria Girls brand segment.
The Transformers program, which began in 2011 with movie tie-in titles for Transformers: Dark of the Moon, has sold over seven hundred thousand copies due in part to the brand’s popular TV series—Transformers Prime, Transformers: Robots in Disguise, and Transformers: Rescue Bots.
The renewed agreement between the companies includes a wide array of titles that will enhance the brand experience for both My Little Pony and Transformers fans. Future plans include more original My Little Pony fare, including additional in-world books and a brand-new, soon-to-be revealed chapter book series launching in 2017. In addition, Transformers: Rescue Bots will cross into nonfiction in 2016 with brand-new leveled readers highlighting firefighters and more. Joining the lineup is an original chapter book series focusing on popular characters from the hit TV show Littlest Pet Shop.
About Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers is a division of Hachette Book Group, a leading trade publisher based in New York and a division of Hachette Livre, the third-largest trade and educational publisher in the world. HBG publishes under the divisions of Little, Brown and Company, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Grand Central Publishing, Orbit, Hachette Books, Hachette Nashville, and Hachette Audio. For more information, visit hbgusa.com.
About Hasbro
Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global company committed to Creating the World’s Best Play Experiences, by leveraging its beloved brands, including Littlest Pet Shop, Magic: The Gathering, Monopoly, My Little Pony, NERF, PLAY-DOH, Transformers, and premier partner brands. From toys and games, television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and lifestyle licensing, Hasbro fulfills the fundamental need for play and connection with children and families around the world. The company’s Hasbro Studios and its film label, ALLSPARK PICTURES, create entertainment brand-driven storytelling across mediums, including television, film, digital and more. Through the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families. Learn more at www.hasbro.com, and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro & @HasbroNews) and Instagram (@Hasbro).
