twofour54 Inks Publishing Deal on Driver Dan’s Story Train

ABU DHABI: A new global five-year publishing deal has been signed between twofour54 and Macmillan Children’s Books for the preschool property Driver Dan’s Story Train.

Driver Dan’s Story Train is from twofour54 and 3Line Media. The series has been airing on CBeebies since January. The cast of animated animal characters introduces preschoolers to books and story telling. Each episode features a new, specially commissioned picture book.

Under the terms of the new deal, Macmillan Children’s Books will develop a publishing program for the property that is intended for the global market, but with a particular emphasis on the Middle East, the U.K. and U.S. Macmillan will be looking to publish character-based board books and paperback story books before adding new formats, including wipe-clean, board, cloth and bath books, as well as interactive e-books.

Tony Orsten, the CEO of twofour45, said: “Driver Dan is exemplary of the projects we develop into brands and we are delighted to have teamed up with a publishing partner that matches our passion in making it the leader in the preschool publishing sphere. We know Driver Dan has the capabilities to roll out into a global multiplatform brand and we look forward to working with Macmillan to ensure this happens.”

Emma Hopkin, the managing director of Macmillan Children’s Books, added: “Driver Dan takes a unique approach in promoting literacy through TV to preschool children. Created by Rebecca Elgar, who has a proven record in preschool programming, it is exactly the quality investment in the licensed arena that we have been looking to acquire. We are delighted to be developing the brand into its next stage of print and digital formats.”