Books to be promoted through House of Fraser and The Guardian to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Thomas The Tank Engine

Egmont, the UK’s top children’s licensed character publisher, today announced an extensive marketing campaign for the Thomas & Friends Story Library Series, with promotions through House of Fraser, The Guardian and Starbucks. The marketing activity is to mark the 65th anniversary of Thomas the Tank Engine. These exciting brand partnerships have been put in place by marketing agency mostra. House of Fraser will kick off the campaign by giving away books from the Thomas & Friends Story Library Series within all stores that have a childrenswear department. Customers who make a purchase over £30 in the childrenswear range will receive a complimentary copy of the book and the offer will also run online through the House of Fraser website (www.houseoffraser.co.uk). In addition, the House of Fraser website will run an online competition, with no purchase necessary, which gives customers a chance to win one family ticket to Thomas Land, Drayton Manor Park and ten Thomas goodie bags. The activity will be publicised through House of Fraser’s in-store posters, store radio, online via their website and through e-newsletters.

On the 20th November, copies of Thomas & Friends Story Library Series books will be polybagged within The Guardian and distributed nationwide through 400 Starbucks stores. A4 point of sale posters will be displayed within the Starbucks stores and the promotion will be supported by in-paper and online support from The Guardian.

“We are extremely excited to announce this marketing campaign for the successful Thomas & Friends Story Library Series,” comments Nikki Causer, Head of Marketing for Egmont Publishing Group. “The involvement of these high-profile brands, along with it being the first time Egmont has partnered with them, highlights the ongoing popularity of Thomas The Tank Engine and we are proud to be involved in the 65th anniversary of this iconic property.”

Katie Price, Senior Director of Worldwide Publishing, HIT Entertainment said: “We hope this marketing campaign will enable even more children to enjoy the stories of Thomas & Friends. It rounds out a year of extensive marketing activity celebrating the 65th anniversary of the world’s number one pre-school boys’ property.”