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31.01.02
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
Worldwide signs publishing deal with Spark Learning
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
Learning, a division of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide, has joined forces with Spark
Learning, the UK's leading independent educational online subscription
service, to co-publish a range of products for the UK market, delivering
National Curriculum objectives for 3-12 year olds.
The
innovative three-year deal will include the publishing of books
and CD/DVD-Roms, covering the two key curriculum areas of Literacy
and Numeracy, using games, animated characters and activities that
make learning fun for children. The deal represents the first of
its kind in the UK to be aimed at children in this age group.
Based
on Spark's proven, character-based learning environment, the first
10 titles will be launched in July 2002 as part of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's
"Back to School" promotion. The second wave of 10 titles
is set for January 2003. The series will be published under a joint
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ and Spark Island brand.
Andy
Ware, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's Director of Children's Learning, said, "Spark's
proven development skills in the learning market and our sales and
marketing expertise in the children's and learning market, combined
with the quality of the product, will ensure the long-term success
of this venture. Spark Learning is an ideal partner for us in realising
our business ambitions in this highly competitive marketplace."
Tom
Davy, Spark Learning's Founder and Chief Executive, said, "Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
Worldwide has unrivalled experience in selling children's products
that are both educational and fun. This deal marks Spark Learning's
evolution from an online content provider to a multiple media publisher
and I am delighted to be working with an organisation that understands
children's learning, has the highest quality standards and a very
powerful brand."
Notes
to Editors:
Spark Learning is an innovative multimedia publisher specialising
in children's learning at primary school level. The company was
founded in 1999 by Tom Davy after he left his job as Chief Executive
of Pearson Plc's educational publishing businesses in Europe, the
Middle East and Africa. www.sparkisland.com , Spark Learning's main
subscription service, is an online learning channel for children
aged 3-12. It has been designed, built and tested in close co-operation
with teachers and education experts. Children can practise and develop
core skills in a highly interactive and enjoyable way using the
full capabilities of digital media. The current learning activities
on Spark Island focus on English, Maths and Science and all activities
are closely linked to UK curricula. Spark Island is designed to
be used in the classroom and at home and provides opportunities
for children to explore and discover, all within a National Curriculum
framework. The management team consists of some of the most successful
educational publishers in the UK, with senior management experience
in blue chip media companies including Pearson, Thomson, and Times
Mirror.
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
Learning forms part of Global Marketing and Brand Development (GMBD),
the marketing division of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide. GMBD was created to develop
key Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ properties with genuine cross-media potential for development
into global brands across Children's, Music and Learning. GMBD works
closely with the other divisions of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide and with Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Television.
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Learning comprises three business groups: Children's Learning,
Lifelong Learning and English Language Teaching (ELT) and Languages.
Digital media, and especially the Internet, is revolutionising learning,
giving people of all ages the opportunity to learn whatever they
wish from learning providers anywhere in the world. Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Learning
will be at the heart of this revolution, a gateway to and provider
of learning opportunities that can be consumed through all media
at school, home and work.
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