DK is the new home for BradyGames

19th June, 2006

For immediate release



John Makinson, Penguin Group CEO, today announced that BradyGames, the largest US publisher of video game strategy guides, is to move from Pearson Education and become an imprint within DK reporting to Gary June, CEO, DK.

BradyGames, based in Indianapolis, publishes strategy guides that provide consumers with tips, tricks and maps on how to get the most out of PC and console-based video games. BradyGames has secured exclusive book licenses to best-selling games like Grand Theft Auto, Final Fantasy and World of Warcraft, many of which are published worldwide. The gaming industry exceeds the box office and music albums with 35bn annual revenues, and with Sony and Microsoft releasing next generation consoles before the end of 2006, growth in gaming will continue at a rapid pace.

Gary June said, "The companies are a perfect strategic fit for each other. Both are experienced in publishing licensed, highly illustrated titles, with BradyGames extending DK's traditional customer base into the teen and young adult market. Most of Brady's current sales are in the US so the consolidation allows DK's global reach to secure new licenses and to extend foreign language sales. Creatively, DK and BradyGames will bring complimentary editorial skills to collaborations, and working together will lead to exciting new joint licensing opportunities."

David Waybright, the Publisher of BradyGames, will report directly to Gary. David said, "Our new home at DK offers a great deal of opportunity for both companies. DK's renowned quality and creativity in publishing only strengthens BradyGames' reputation for creating the highest quality video game strategy guides worldwide. Now more than ever, BradyGames can surge ahead and extend our strategy guides to our customers, retailers and licensors. There are several ripe publishing opportunities with video game properties where BradyGames will provide solid inroads to a rapidly growing market for DK to explore."

In the UK BradyGames sales will now be handled by the Penguin key account team and in the US by the DK key account group and the PGI field sales representatives.. The Penguin Group sales team will handle English language export territories and the DK International Sales team will deal with rights sales.

Note to editors
Dorling Kindersley is an internationally acclaimed publishing company specialising in the creation of high quality, illustrated information books and online resources for adults and children. It is part of the Penguin Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pearson Plc.

For more information please contact Hermione Ireland in the DK Press Office on 07712 050454 before 1pm or Serena Stent on 020 7010 3553 or on serena.stent@uk.dk.com.