Mattel and Simon & Schuster in Partnership

Mattel, Inc. has entered into a sales and distribution agreement with Simon & Schuster, Inc. Under the agreement, Simon & Schuster will handle sales and distribution of the Mattel Press Imprint and the American Girl Publishing Imprint to the United States and Canada beginning July 1, 2023. 

The Mattel Press imprint will complement content, support brand initiatives, and create new stories based on iconic Mattel franchises including Barbie™, Hot Wheels™, Fisher-Price™, Thomas & Friends™, Monster High™, Polly Pocket™, Barney™, and more. Releases sold and distributed by Simon & Schuster will include print books, audio books and eBooks. Select titles from Mattel Press and American Girl Publishing will also be available on Caribu, Mattel’s direct-to-consumer entertainment platform. 

“We have seen firsthand the immense value in providing fans of our franchises with multiple avenues to further engage with their favorite Mattel brands, characters, storylines and worlds,” said Josh Silverman, Chief Franchise Officer and Global Head of Consumer Products at Mattel. “In launching our own publishing imprint, we simultaneously unlock limitless exploration for kids while continuing to realize the full value of our IP. We are thrilled to announce the best-in-class Simon & Schuster as our partner in this exciting and growing area of Mattel.” 

“We are delighted to welcome Mattel to our family of distribution clients,” said Michael Perlman, Senior Vice President, General Manager of Simon & Schuster Publisher Services. “Mattel Press and American Girl Publishing represent some of the best-known brands and franchises in North America, and we look forward to helping them grow this new publishing venture.”