Disney Publishing Worldwide
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Predecessor | The Disney Publishing Group, Buena Vista Publishing Group |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Headquarters | Glendale, California , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Andrew Sugerman (executive vice president) |
| Products | Books, magazines, digital publishing, comics |
| Parent | Disney Experiences (The Walt Disney Company) |
Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW), previously known as The Disney Publishing Group and Buena Vista Publishing Group, serves as the publishing arm of Disney Experiences, a division within The Walt Disney Company. Its publishing lines encompass Disney Editions, Disney Press, Kingswell, Freeform, and Hyperion Books for Children. DPW maintains creative hubs located in Glendale, California and Milan, Italy.
History
Following the termination of its license for the Italian Topolino magazine in 1990, Michael Lynton, then Disney Consumer Products’ business development director, initiated Disney’s own Magazine Group with the launch of Disney Adventures. That same year, under Walt Disney Publications, Inc., the company introduced Disney Comics to the U.S. market. By 1991, Disney Publishing broadened its portfolio by acquiring Discover from Family Media and shortly thereafter obtaining FamilyFun Magazine from Jake Winebaum, incorporating both into its Magazine Group.
Incorporated
In January 1992, The Disney Publishing Group (DPG) was formally established to unify existing entities such as Hyperion Books, Hyperion Books for Children, and Disney Press. Two years later, in 1994, DPG diversified by creating Mouse Works and Fun Works divisions focused on interactive children’s books. That year also saw the Magazine Group enter a partnership with Ziff-Davis Publishing to launch Family PC magazine.
Senior vice president Michael Lynton departed DPG in June 1994 to head Disney's Hollywood Pictures. By March 1995, due to market saturation, DPG consolidated Hyperion Books for Children with Disney Press. In August of that year, Disney Magazine Publishing reorganized into three separate divisions: Disney Family Magazines, Disney Kids Magazines, and Disney Special Interest Magazines—each overseen by a vice president/group publisher. These divisions aimed to expand beyond key titles like Family Fun and Discover. The Special Interest division additionally managed the Discover Magazine television series on the Discovery Channel. Meanwhile, Kids Magazines developed the Big Time weekly newspaper supplement planned for a Fall 1996 debut. Jake Winebaum transitioned from Magazine President to lead Disney Online.
On May 11, 1998, the entity was renamed Buena Vista Publishing Group as part of corporate restructuring.
Disney Publishing Worldwide
In April 1999, Buena Vista Publishing Group adopted the name Disney Publishing Worldwide, Inc. (DPW), while Hyperion Books was reassigned to Disney's ABC Television Group.
DPW’s inaugural original comic book series W.I.T.C.H. launched in 2001 and by 2004 reached monthly sales of one million copies along with inspiring an animated adaptation. That same year, DPW collaborated with Baby Einstein to introduce a baby book collection featuring art, languages, poetry, and classical music themes. In 2003, Gemstone Publishing secured licensing rights from DPW for Disney comics. Following CrossGen’s collapse in 2004, DPW acquired its trademarks and intellectual properties for use in educational reading materials and related publications.
The Disney Fairies franchise was introduced in 2005 with the novel Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg alongside an associated virtual world. Also that year marked the release of Kingdom Keepers, a series inspired by Disney Parks and iconic villains. In addition, Discover Magazine was sold off while Disney magazine ceased publication; subsequently in 2006, Wondertime magazine debuted targeting mothers with young children. Beginning in 2007, DPW licensed CrossGen properties to Checker Publishing for trade paperback reprints.
In 2007, advertising teams focused on kids and family audiences merged under the umbrella of Disney Media Advertising Sales and Marketing Group. Towards the end of that year, DPW discontinued Disney Adventure.
By 2009, DPW’s structure comprised Global Book Group, Disney English, and Global Magazines divisions generating revenue from both domestic and international magazines and books. The same year saw the launch of Disney Digital Books featuring an initial catalog of 500 digital titles. The Villains book series commenced with Serena Valentino’s Fairest of All. DPW India formed partnerships first with Junior Diamond and later with India Today Group to publish and distribute Disney comics in English and Hindi languages.
In 2011, Marvel Worldwide joined forces with Disney Books Group to revive the Marvel Press imprint through Origin Storybooks. DPW introduced FamilyFun Kids, a bi-monthly publication that was later sold along with Family Fun Magazine to Meredith Corporation in 2012.
DPW closed its White Plains office in 2012 and relocated headquarters to Glendale, California within Disney Consumer Products; Andrew Sugerman was elevated to executive vice president. In 2013, DPW launched Never Girls—a book series expanding the Disney Fairies universe—in collaboration with Random House. After selling Hyperion Books’ adult trade list to Hachette Book Group that year, related young adult titles transitioned under DPW’s Kingswell imprint.
The Disney Comics imprint was revived in the U.S. in 2013; its first original graphic novel titled Space Mountain debuted in 2014. Licensing for the Disney Fairies franchise moved to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in 2014 except for Never Girls titles. Additionally that year Del Rey Books began publishing new Star Wars canon novels on a bi-monthly basis.
DPW concentrated on launching fresh franchises: Waterfire Saga appeared in 2014 accompanied by music content; Zodiac Legacy series launched via a partnership with POW! Entertainment in 2015; Never Girls achieved placement on The New York Times Best Sellers List. By late 2014, Disney Learning introduced the Imagicademy educational app suite. At this stage DPW consisted of Core Publishing, Digital Publishing, and Disney Learning units having developed more than 100 top-ranked apps between 2012 and 2015.
In June 2015, following a merger between Disney Consumer Products and Disney Interactive forming Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media (DCPI), DPW began reporting directly to DCPI co-chairs. September 2015 saw the debut of Star Darlings franchise accompanied by two books.
October 2015 marked the launch of Freeform imprint aimed at young adult fiction aligned with ABC Family’s rebranding as Freeform; its initial release was Two Truths and a Lie. In September 2016, Disney-Hyperion announced Rick Riordan Presents imprint specializing in middle-grade mythology-themed books which officially launched in 2018 featuring authors like Roshani Chokshi.
As part of corporate realignment in March 2018, DCPI merged into Walt Disney Parks segment renamed as Disney Experiences. After acquiring assets from 21st Century Fox in August 2019, National Geographic Partners’ publishing operations were transferred under DPW while discontinuing Traveler magazine’s U.S edition.
Following Mary Ann Naples’ exit from Hachette Books in 2019, Lynn Waggoner assumed vice president and global publisher responsibilities overseeing multiple imprints including Marvel Press; Emily Thomas Meehan was promoted to vice president and publisher managing Hyperion along with original content strategy.
In February 2020 Hachette Book Group acquired over one thousand young readers’ titles from Disney Book Group for reissue through Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Penguin Random House secured distribution rights for DPW titles starting in 2023.
On March 29, 2023 Marvel Comics was integrated into Disney Publishing Worldwide amid corporate restructuring folding Marvel Entertainment fully into The Walt Disney Company.
Effective May 2, 2025 Penguin Random House expanded its licensing agreement with DPW encompassing new releases across multiple book formats going forward.
Franchises
Disney Publishing initiated unplanned franchise ventures starting with W.I.T.C.H. in 2001. In November 2004, DPW's educational sector acquired the assets of CrossGen comics. Serving as a platform for Disney Consumer Products' strategic franchises, DPW supported titles such as Disney Fairies, Disney Bunnies, the Never Girls book collection, and Disney Princess Palace Pets applications. Additionally, DPW developed original franchises including Waterfire Saga in 2014, followed by The Zodiac Legacy and Star Darlings in 2015.
- CrossGen – purchased in 2004 to produce reading tools and other intellectual properties through Hyperion Books for Children. The Abadazad fantasy series was transformed into a prose-comic blend, with two volumes released in June 2006 out of an intended eight-volume run. This franchise was revived as an imprint by Marvel Comics in 2011.
- Kingdom Keepers – a seven-part book series inspired by Disney theme parks, featuring holographic protectors combating Disney Villains known as Overtakers. The debut novel was published on August 29, 2005.
- Twisted Tales – a collection of novels by multiple authors offering alternative narratives based on Disney movies; contributors include Liz Braswell, Elizabeth Lim, and Jen Calonita.
- Star Darlings – introduced with two chapter books released in September 2015.
- W.I.T.C.H. – originated as a comic series in 2001 and expanded into an animated show by 2004.
- Waterfire Saga – initiated with the first installment of a four-book series in May 2014.
- The Zodiac Legacy – debuted as a book series in January 2015.
Waterfire Saga
Waterfire Saga represents a Disney Publishing franchise focused on mermaid lore, launched as a multimedia initiative anchored by its central book series in May 2014.
Waterfire history
Conceived by Disney Publishing after extensive development of a mermaid mythology concept, the franchise was backed by a comprehensive 200-page guide outlining cultures, storylines, and character backgrounds. In 2011, Suzanne Murphy of Global Books invited author Jennifer Donnelly to craft the series. Donnelly completed the initial two novels by early 2014.
Officially unveiled by Disney Publishing Worldwide in early 2014, the first novel titled Deep Blue was published on May 6, 2014 through the Disney-Hyperion imprint with an initial print run of 250,000 copies accompanied by a national promotional tour. Marketing efforts encompassed print media, television spots, and cinema advertising, supplemented by campaigns from ABC Family and Hollywood Records along with retail merchandising displays. The e-book version launched simultaneously featured integrated music videos and original songs. Concurrent releases occurred in the UK, Italy, and Spain, with additional international editions planned for late 2014 and early 2015.
The follow-up novel Rogue Wave was published in January 2015. DPW’s Milan-based comic division aimed to broaden the franchise through comics and graphic novels beginning that year. The subsequent books Dark Tide and Sea Spell were issued during Summer 2015 and Summer 2016 respectively.
Plot
The story traces the origins of merpeople following the destruction of their ancestral island Atlantis. Centered on six mermaids who band together to protect their realm across four books, Deep Blue focuses on Serafina, a Mediterranean mermaid who experiences visions forewarning the return of an ancient malevolence as she prepares for her engagement. After her mother suffers injury from a poisoned arrow, Serafina’s prophetic dreams guide her to locate five other mermaids worldwide. United, they uncover a widespread conspiracy endangering their existence.
Supplementary media
An audiobook version of Deep Blue, narrated by Bea Miller, was made available through Listening Library. In 2015, the Milan comic division of DPW intended to broaden the franchise by releasing additional comics and graphic novels. Additionally, the track "Open Your Eyes," performed by Bea Miller, was launched under Hollywood Records.
Zodiac Legacy
The Zodiac Legacy represents a superhero series developed by Stan Lee and published by Disney Press in collaboration with POW! Entertainment. The narrative was co-authored by Stuart Moore and visually brought to life by illustrator Andie Tong. The series premiered with the illustrated novel The Zodiac Legacy: Convergence on January 27, 2015. Its follow-up, The Dragon's Return, arrived on January 26, 2016, and secured a spot on the New York Times best-seller list. Papercutz released the initial graphic novel installment, Tiger Island, in March 2016, featuring artwork by Paris Cullins. The trilogy concluded with The Balance of Power in April 2017, accompanied by further graphic novels illustrated by P.H. Marcondes and others.
Synopsis: The storyline centers on Steven, a Chinese-American eighth grader from Philadelphia who acquires twelve magical Zodiac powers during a school trip to Hong Kong. As he embraces his newfound superhero identity, Steven contends with global challenges that impact his loved ones. The second installment delves into his attempts to preserve alliances amid escalating conflicts.
Star Darlings
Star Darlings is a multimedia franchise from Disney Publishing revolving around a group of wish-granting fairies known as the Starlings. Owned by Star Darlings, LLC under DPW, the brand targets tweens with an uplifting theme promoting individuality and positive decision-making. Barry Waldo oversees the franchise, which encompasses books, an animated YouTube series, and music releases.
The product assortment includes dolls produced by Jakks Pacific, primarily retailed through Justice stores with limited distribution at Disney Store locations. The storyline follows twelve Starling students attending Starling Academy on Starland as they undertake covert missions to Wishworld (Earth). Initial attention is given to characters Sage, Libby, and Leona, alongside others such as Adora, Astra, Cassie, Clover, Gemma, Piper, Scarlet, Tessa, and Vega.
Core offerings consist of books like Sage and the Journey to Wishworld and Libby and the Class Election, complemented by fashion dolls and music tracks including "Wish Now" and its remix. This integrated multimedia strategy fosters brand interaction across diverse channels to stimulate growth within the tween segment.
History of Star Darlings
The Star Darlings trademark was initially registered by Shana Muldoon in 2009 but was abandoned two years later due to inactivity. Development of the brand began in 2011 through a partnership between Shana Muldoon Zappa, Ahmet Zappa, and Disney Publishing. Trademark registration was filed by Star Darlings, LLC in 2013 with extensions granted up until 2015.
The franchise was publicly unveiled at the D23 convention in August 2015 and officially launched on September 15, 2015, featuring two chapter books: Sage and the Journey to Wishworld and Libby and the Class Election. Aimed at children aged seven to eleven, the first book received mixed critical responses. The launch was supported by a social media campaign and press events alongside planned product introductions including Jakks dolls at Justice retailers, a storytelling application, music via Walt Disney Records, and an episode of an animated YouTube series.
In 2016, Disney Channel broadcast two animated specials: Becoming Star Darlings on January 29 and Star Darlings Friendships on March 25; these featured a remixed theme song performed by teen vocalist Skylar Stecker. A third special titled The Power of Twelve aired on November 26, 2016.
Following the cancellation of three books scheduled after Stealing Starlight, no new franchise activity has been observed since January 2017. Shana Muldoon Zappa mentioned on Twitter that this hiatus stemmed from an "exciting reason," implying potential future developments for the series.
Units
- Core Publishing Divisions
- Disney Magazine Publishing, Inc.
- Disney Book Group (operating as Disney Book Publishing, Inc.)
- Disney·Hyperion
- Rick Riordan Presents, an imprint focusing on mythology-inspired books for middle grade readers
- Disney·Jump at the Sun
- Disney-Lucasfilm Press
- Disney Press
- Disney Editions
- Disney Libri
- Disney Libros (Spain)
- Marvel Press
- ABC Daytime Press
- ESPN Books
- Kingswell
- Freeform
- National Geographic Books
- National Geographic Maps
- Disney·Hyperion
- Digital Publishing - Disney Book Apps
- Disney Learning, originally established in 1996 as Disney Educational Publishing, Inc., rebranded as Disney Learning in 2013
- Disney Educational Productions
- Disney English
- Disney Imagicademy, a collection of educational mobile applications for children, featuring a companion app for parents to monitor progress
Hyperion Books for Children
Established in 1990, Hyperion Books for Children (HBC) and Disney Press began their operations. The formation of the Disney Publishing Group in January 1992 brought together Hyperion Books, Hyperion Avenue Books, Hyperion Books for Children, Disney Press, and other divisions under one umbrella. Due to increasing market competition, Hyperion Books for Children merged with Disney Press in March 1995. In September 1998, HBC introduced Jump at the Sun, an imprint dedicated to African-American children's literature. Additionally, the group intended to publish the Abadazad four-book series from its CrossGen assets after acquiring the CrossGen properties under this imprint.
External links
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