The Associate returns, finally clambering out the hole that he has been cowering in all these weeks. Hurrah.


http://www.publishingnews.co.uk/pn/pno_news6.asp

Wizard plans big ad campaign for Fantasy series

THE FIGHTING FANTASY series of adventure game books popular in the 1980s, is to be brought to a new generation of adolescent boys by its new publisher, Wizard Books, the children�s imprint of Icon Books which plans a major ad campaign for next Christmas. Andrew Furlow, Marketing Manager at Icon, says: �This is a major campaign, and we want to get everyone involved in it early on, because it�s all about big head office orders and, as we know, head offices in large companies have to order things months ahead.�
Publishing Manager Simon Flynn brought the series to Wizard in June last year after contacting the co-authors and co-creators of the Fighting Fantasy books, Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone. Originally published by Puffin, the rights had reverted to Jackson and Livingstone. Flynn and Peter Pugh, MD of Icon, met them and �hammered out a deal�.
Since then, Wizard has sold over 200,000 copies worldwide, and now aims to improve on that. �Of course, it�s been very successful for us, but we feel the potential is exponentially greater than this,� says Furlow.
Wizard�s new �250,000 campaign will be spearheaded by a 30-second TV advertisement to be shown over five weeks, starting in November. Furlow says: �The premise is that Fighting Fantasy takes you away from the world of school and homework into a world of excitement and fantasy. The underlying idea being that even in this world of computer games and television, it�s books that really fire the imagination.� Wizard will also be setting up a Fighting Fantasy website, as well as a fan club which will be advertised in the books.
Wizard plans to make thorough preparations for the demand that is expected to result from the campaign. �We�re putting together lots of packs, gift sets, boxed sets, and all sorts of add-ons that fans can get hold of. We�re very much promoting the series as a brand.� Livingstone, currently Creative Director at computer games company Eidos, commented: �It�s fantastic that Fighting Fantasy has been relaunched. It�s a very bold move that Wizard has made. Steve and I are very enthusiastic.� Jackson agreed: �Icon has really brought the look of the books into the 21st century. I think it�s important to bring the covers up to date, and that�s been done.�