Book and TV show phenomenon Bing seems on a mission to take over newsagents shelves this year. Hot on the heels of the launch of Fun to Learn Bing from Redan Publishing last month, Kennedy Publishing, the company behind many titles for younger readers including Blaze, Barbie, Horrible Histories and Peter Rabbit, has just launched Box of… Bing, on sale now in all good newsagents.
The launch issue isn’t just a magazine, however. Complementing and extending the ethos of the TV series, the first issue of the new Box of… Bing, which will be released six-weekly, comes in a branded carry case with plenty of extras included to appeal to preschoolers and their parents.
Working with Acamar Films who created the hugely successful Bing TV show and more, the launch of Box of… Bing features a 16-page craft magazine, a 16-page colouring magazine, two fold-out sticker sheets, a fold-out poster, giant sticker story and lots of creative gifts, from paint pots and crayons to cookie cutters and craft supplies – all for £3.99.
“Each issue of Box of… Bing is theme-driven and bursting with interactive content that taps into Bing’s core values of playful learning and emotional nurturing,” notes Sophie Prewett, editor of the title.
“The imaginative activities and creative gifts are designed specifically to support learning and celebrate the noisy, joyful, messy reality of preschool life.”
Box of… Bing will also feature on arty and educational activity spreads as part of Kennedy Publishing’s compilation titles, Busy Time and Get Busy.
Kennedy Publishing, who previously featured Bing in their Everything magazine, say the new title aims to appeal to consumers looking for reduced plastic, value for money, educational support and creative content.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Acamar on a brand new magazine product that has really excited retailers,” says Sophie Rowlands, licensing director at Kennedy Publishing.
“Bing Bunny is going from strength to strength, making it the perfect time to launch Box of… Bing for a new generation of young fans. With high quality editorial, design and gifts, backed by strong support at retail, we’re confident this product will be a great success.”
Kennedy Publishing is a leading publisher in the children’s magazine sector, with a portfolio of over 35 UK children’s magazine titles ranging from Octonauts and Peter Rabbit to Barbie, Krazy and Kick, licenses for over 30 properties, and a global readership of over 10 million. The company is part of the long-established Claverley Group, a news and publishing company with a publishing heritage of more than 140 years. Privately owned by the Graham family, who can trace their roots in publishing back to the 1880s, Claverley has built a reputation around delivering quality products related to news and information.
Produced by Acamar Films in association with Dublin-based partner Brown Bag Films, Bing – based on the preschool books created by Ted Dewan – has seen extraordinary success since it launched in 2014.
A ratings hit across many broadcasters including CBeebies in the UK, the series won an International Emmy Award in the Kids Preschool category in 2016 and has recently been announced as a nominee for the Rockie Awards 2020.
The books and show have seen a large amount of licensing activity, and the show itself is screened worldwide.
• The first issue of Box of… Bing is on sale now
• Kennedy Publishing are online at www.kennedypublishing.co.uk
• To find your local stockist of a Kennedy Publishing title visit www.seymour.co.uk/storefinder
• Redan’s Fun to Learn Bing is available from leading supermarkets and all good newsagents. The title is also available to buy online from the Redan web shop and on subscription (UK only). Do note subscription copies are plastic-free and do not include the covermounted gift
• Bing books by Ted Dewan on AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)
• Find out more about the origin of Bing and the TV show on the Acamar Films web site here
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Animation, Books, downthetubes News, Magazines, Other Worlds
Peppa Pig and Sparkle World publisher Redan lands magazine publishing deal for Toikido’s Piñata Smashlings property