Cartoon Network Partners with Random House for “Generator Rex” Books
via Cartoon Network press release:
Cartoon Network Enterprises Partners with Random House Children’s Books on a Publishing Program for “Generator Rex”
Random House Children’s Books to Launch a Full Line of Storybooks, Leveled Readers and Activity Books at Retail in Summer 2011
Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE), the global licensing and merchandising arm of the television network, announced today a partnership with Random House Children’s Books to create a full line of books based on the top-rated action-adventure series, Generator Rex. The deal between the two companies builds on a long-standing partnership with Random House, Inc. that includes other popular Cartoon Network brands including Ben 10 and Bakugan (Del Ray Manga). The Random House Children’s Books program will bring to market content-rich titles centered around Rex, a 15-year-old typical teenager with abnormal powers – including the ability to make his fists the size of boulders, sprout a jet pack out of his back and turn his legs into a lightning-fast motorcycle, among other talents. Random House will launch their book program in Summer 2011 with a Step into Reading(R) leveled reader and a deluxe 3-D storybook. Additional readers, storybooks, and activity books will follow.
“Generator Rex is driven by action-packed storytelling and strong characters that excite fans and leave them wanting more,” said Christina Miller, senior vice president, CNE. “Random House, and the publishing category as a whole, are key components to further expanding the Generator Rex universe into an immersive world that tells Rex’s story off screen in a fun and engaging way.”
Dennis Shealy, editorial director, Random House/Golden Books Young Readers Group said, “Cartoon Network is a favorite among families, and Generator Rex is a powerhouse TV show with everything kids like: fast-paced action, sarcastic humor, creepy villains and monsters�and my personal favorite: Rex’s talking monkey sidekick. Combine that with some of Random House Children’s Books’ strongest formats, and you’ve got a recipe for retail success.”
Random House joins other industry-leading partners for the consumer products launch of Generator Rex, that currently includes Mattel, Inc. as the brand’s global master toy partner, Activision for interactive, Hallmark for party goods and social expression, Hybrid Apparel and DC Comics. Additionally, CNE will release the first title in the Generator Rex home entertainment franchise on October 19 with Warner Home Video distributing. Additional partners for the brand will continue to be announced in the coming weeks.
The newest action-adventure original series from Cartoon Network, Generator Rex is created by Man of Action (creators of the Ben 10 franchise) and produced at Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank, CA. New episodes from the series’ first season air on Cartoon Network on Fridays at 8:30 p.m. (ET/PT), with replays on Saturday mornings. The network has committed to at least 40 episodes of the series, and has also created an online game, Generator Rex: Nanite Master, featured at CartoonNetwork.com that has had more than 6.9 million game plays since its launch in March (source: Omniture SiteCatalyst data), as well as a show page (www.generator-rex.com) and a Facebook fan page.
About Cartoon Network Enterprises:
Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) is responsible for building consumer products and merchandising programs for a wide range of brands by securing and supporting long-term licensing partnerships across all categories. As the global branding and merchandising arm of Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, the division manages the consumer product programs for the networks’ award-winning original programming, brands and characters including Ben 10, Generator Rex, Chowder, The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, Adventure Time, Adult Swim and more. CNE also serves as a third party licensing agent through strategic partnerships with Nelvana Enterprises and Spin Master for the award-winning Bakugan brand and the PGA of America for the youth marketplace.
Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 97 million U.S. homes and 166 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for youth and families. Nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animated and live-action series for young adults 18-34.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.
About Random House Children’s Books
Random House Children’s Books is the world’s largest English-language children’s trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books, novels, and ebooks, the imprints of Random House Children’s Books bring together award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous franchise characters, and multimillion-copy series. The company’s website, kids@random (www.randomhouse.com/kids) offers an array of activities, games and educational resources for children, teens, parents, and educators. Random House Children’s Books is a division of Random House, Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG, a leading international media company.