The Beacon Street Girls Welcome Barbara Marcus, Former Scholastic Children’s President, to the Board

LEXINGTON, MA (April 9, 2007) – B*tween Productions, home of the Beacon Street Girls, today announced the appointment of Barbara Marcus, most recently president, Scholastic Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution, and executive vice president, Scholastic, Inc. to B*tween’s Board of Directors. The Beacon Street Girls brand is focused on providing positive media and strong role models for preteen girls through its award-winning book series, website and line of gifts for girls.

As president, Marcus was responsible for all Scholastic children’s consumer book publishing and distribution in the United States, through school-based book clubs, school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs, school-based book fairs and the retail channel. Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution was the largest division of Scholastic, and during her twenty-two-year tenure the business grew revenues from $50 million to $1.2 billion (July 2005.)

Under Marcus' direction, Scholastic books published many of the best-selling series in children’s book history, including The Baby-sitters Club and Harry Potter. Ms. Marcus acquired J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone for publication in the United States in 1998 and led the publishing effort for all the Harry Potter titles. These titles, including the fastest-selling title ever, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, have sold over 100 million copies in the United States.

“Barbara’s addition to the Board of Directors ensures B*tween will continue to benefit from a diversity of experience and opinions, as well as positioning us for major expansion and the extension of our brand,” said Addie Swartz, Founder and CEO of B*tween Productions. “Barbara’s experience in the publishing industry, her proven marketing skills, and her unparalleled reputation as a visionary in the world of children’s publishing make her a key asset to B*tween and the Beacon Street Girls brand.”

“I have been impressed by the mission and potential of the Beacon Street Girls brand,” stated Marcus. ‘’The breadth of product and the online experience are perfect for today’s tweens. By working with Addie and her team, I feel confident that we can achieve strategic growth, both in terms of sales and recognition for the brand.”

About the Beacon Street Girls

The Beacon Street Girls brand (BSG) provides great books, cool gifts, and a safe and interactive online world designed to celebrate the potential in every preteen girl. The brand was specifically created to empower “tweens,” those girls between the ages of 8 and 13, who are “between toys and boys.” Shaped by leading experts in adolescent development and current research on how to positively impact girls’ self-esteem, the Beacon Street Girls offer a fresh, exciting and healthier media alternative to today’s MTV-style world. Super fans in 95 countries and their parents have embraced the Beacon Street Girls as role models who are “just like me.”

Beacon Street Girls books are available wherever books are sold. Beacon Street Girls products are available at www.beaconstreetgirls.com.
Editorial Note: Images available.