Parragon
Encyclopedia
Parragon Publishing, a United Kingdom
publishing company, was formed in 1988 by two friends, Guy Parr and Paul Anderson.
Parragon began its early years by developing business through overstocks and reprinting dormant titles from key publishers archives such as Penguin Books
and HarperCollins
.
In 1992, Parragon shifted focus through a trail bargain book table placed in Asda
's grocery store in Nuneaton
. Following the trial's success, Parragon extended their bargain book strategy to other key retailers such as Tesco
and Woolworths
. As sales increased, these retailers employed Parragon to distribute titles from other major publishers. The distribution business continued until the mid to late 90's before Parragon decided to concentrate on their own publishing. The distribution business was offloaded to Cork International, who continued to service the grocers until 2004 before their demise.
In the late 1990s, Parragon's publishing business accelerated significantly, and the company opened new offices in New York and Cologne before DC Thomson took a controlling stake in 2001. Their acquisition of Funtastic gave them significant distribution into the Australian market before further sales offices were opened in India and China, bringing the Parragon brand global.
In 2005, The Bookseller
announced that Parragon had signed a deal with Disney for distribution of books into the UK book trade, hiring new staff to oversee the Disney brand license. Significant licensing activity, including Looney Tunes
and Bratz
followed. Parragon also expanded focus across the children's, adult reference, and cooking categories.
On 16 June 2011, Publisher's Weekly reported that Parragon had renewed an existing license with Discovery Kids
, including titles in the eBook format, as well as a new series of activity and novelty books around Squinkie brand toys.
On 4 July 2011, Parragon announced a new license for a range of books based on the Power Rangers Samurai
brand. The deal was reported by Kidscreen Magazine.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
publishing company, was formed in 1988 by two friends, Guy Parr and Paul Anderson.
Parragon began its early years by developing business through overstocks and reprinting dormant titles from key publishers archives such as Penguin Books
Penguin Books
Penguin Books is a publisher founded in 1935 by Sir Allen Lane and V.K. Krishna Menon. Penguin revolutionised publishing in the 1930s through its high quality, inexpensive paperbacks, sold through Woolworths and other high street stores for sixpence. Penguin's success demonstrated that large...
and HarperCollins
HarperCollins
HarperCollins is a publishing company owned by News Corporation. It is the combination of the publishers William Collins, Sons and Co Ltd, a British company, and Harper & Row, an American company, itself the result of an earlier merger of Harper & Brothers and Row, Peterson & Company. The worldwide...
.
In 1992, Parragon shifted focus through a trail bargain book table placed in Asda
Asda
Asda Stores Ltd is a British supermarket chain which retails food, clothing, general merchandise, toys and financial services. It also has a mobile telephone network, , Asda Mobile...
's grocery store in Nuneaton
Nuneaton
Nuneaton is the largest town in the Borough of Nuneaton and Bedworth and in the English county of Warwickshire.Nuneaton is most famous for its associations with the 19th century author George Eliot, who was born on a farm on the Arbury Estate just outside Nuneaton in 1819 and lived in the town for...
. Following the trial's success, Parragon extended their bargain book strategy to other key retailers such as Tesco
Tesco
Tesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
and Woolworths
Woolworths Group
Woolworths Group plc was a listed British company that owned the high-street retail chain, Woolworths, as well as other brands such as the entertainment distributor Entertainment UK and book and resource distributor Bertram Books...
. As sales increased, these retailers employed Parragon to distribute titles from other major publishers. The distribution business continued until the mid to late 90's before Parragon decided to concentrate on their own publishing. The distribution business was offloaded to Cork International, who continued to service the grocers until 2004 before their demise.
In the late 1990s, Parragon's publishing business accelerated significantly, and the company opened new offices in New York and Cologne before DC Thomson took a controlling stake in 2001. Their acquisition of Funtastic gave them significant distribution into the Australian market before further sales offices were opened in India and China, bringing the Parragon brand global.
In 2005, The Bookseller
The Bookseller
The Bookseller is a British magazine reporting news on the publishing industry. Neill Denny is editor-in-chief of the weekly print edition of the magazine, while Philip Jones is deputy editor, having recently been promoted from the position of managing editor of the Bookseller.com...
announced that Parragon had signed a deal with Disney for distribution of books into the UK book trade, hiring new staff to oversee the Disney brand license. Significant licensing activity, including Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes is a Warner Bros. animated cartoon series. It preceded the Merrie Melodies series and was Warner Bros.'s first animated theatrical series. Since its first official release, 1930's Sinkin' in the Bathtub, the series has become a worldwide media franchise, spawning several television...
and Bratz
Bratz
Bratz is an American line of fashion dolls and merchandise manufactured by MGA Entertainment. Four original 10" dolls were released in 2001 - Cloe, Jade, Sasha and Yasmin...
followed. Parragon also expanded focus across the children's, adult reference, and cooking categories.
On 16 June 2011, Publisher's Weekly reported that Parragon had renewed an existing license with Discovery Kids
Discovery Kids
Discovery Kids is an American website owned by Discovery Communications, Inc. created for children. Until October 10, 2010, it was an American digital cable specialty channel, owned by Discovery Communications with television programming for education of children. It was launched in October 1996...
, including titles in the eBook format, as well as a new series of activity and novelty books around Squinkie brand toys.
On 4 July 2011, Parragon announced a new license for a range of books based on the Power Rangers Samurai
Power Rangers Samurai
Power Rangers Samurai is the nineteenth season of the American children's television series Power Rangers. With Saban Brands buying back the franchise, the show is produced by SCG Power Rangers and began airing on Nickelodeon and Nicktoons on February 7, 2011...
brand. The deal was reported by Kidscreen Magazine.