SYDNEY and SAN FRANCISCO, March 30/31, 2016 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, and Simon & Schuster Australia announce a comprehensive sales and distribution agreement to manage VIZ Media’s extensive manga (graphic novel) catalogue across Australia and New Zealand.

Simon & Schuster has been the exclusive distribution partner of VIZ Media for the United States and Canadian markets since 2004, the United Kingdom since 2007, and India starting in 2014. The new agreement will see the Australian arm of the business provide a full range of retail and wholesale distribution services for VIZ Media’s substantial library of manga titles. Simon & Schuster Australia will also manage the distribution of all VIZ Media’s imprints including Shonen Jump, Shonen Jump Advanced, Shojo Beat, Shonen Sunday, Perfect Square, VIZ Signature, Studio Ghibli Library and Haikasoru.

“I am delighted to join my colleagues in New York, London and New Delhi in bringing VIZ Media to our customers in Australia and New Zealand,” said Dan Ruffino, Managing Director of Simon & Schuster Australia. “We know there is a keen market here and look forward to working closely with VIZ Media to grow sales and awareness.”

“Simon & Schuster is a key strategic partner for VIZ Media, and together we share a strong commitment to support a fervent international fan base for high quality established series as well as emerging new titles,” said Kevin Hamric, Senior Director, Publishing Sales & Marketing, VIZ Media. “Australia and New Zealand are extremely strong markets for manga, and we look forward to working closely with Simon & Schuster Australia to bring a variety of exciting titles to a wide range of readers.”

About Simon & Schuster

Simon & Schuster, a part of the CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children‘s Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital and international companies in Australia, Canada, India and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.simonandschuster.com.

Simon & Schuster Australia

Simon & Schuster Australia is one of the region’s Top 10 book publishers. We publish and distribute fabulous books in Australia and New Zealand across a broad range of fiction, non-fiction and children’s categories under our local and international imprints, including Aladdin, Atheneum, Atria, Fireside, Free Press, Howard, Kangaroo Press, Little Simon, Pocket, Scribner, Simon & Schuster, Simon Spotlight Entertainment and Touchstone. Simon & Schuster Australia also acts as the local sales and distribution partners for Duncan Baird Publishing (mind, body & spirit, well-being, and cultural reference) and Kyle Cathie (illustrated cooking and lifestyle books). For more information, Pease visit: http://www.simonandschuster.biz/divisions-and-imprints/about-ss-australia

About VIZ Media, LLC

Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premiere company in the field of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan’s largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at www.VIZ.com.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Adam Rothberg, Simon & Schuster, Inc.
adam.rothberg@simonandschuster.com / 212-698-1132

Anabel Pandiella, Simon & Schuter Australia
anabel.pandiella@simonandschuster.com.au / 612 9983 6654

Jane Lui, VIZ Media
jane.lui@viz.com / 415-546-7073 x176