Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Acquires Ebook and Technology Assets from MeeGenius

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt made significant strides in its direct-to-consumer strategy yesterday with the acquisition of ebook and technology assets from the ebook subscription service MeeGenius. MeeGenius offers a library of 700 picture books geared toward young readers up to 8 years old. The acquisition increases HMH's digital content for young readers and establishes a direct channel through which the publisher can interact with those readers.

According to CJ Kettler, EVP and chief of consumer brands and strategy at HMH, the platform will extend publisher's brand outside the classroom. “MeeGenius provides a combination of beloved children’s stories, and interactive tools that support literacy development and give families a smart array of digital books in one comprehensive offering,” said Kettler in a press release. “As HMH continues to expand its portfolio of digital consumer products, the incorporation of these MeeGenius assets further strengthens our content offerings beyond the classroom.”

Read the full press release below.

BOSTON – August 11, 2015 – Global learning company Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) has acquired select ebook and technology assets of MeeGenius — an ebook subscription service for children aged up to eight years old. The acquisition marks the Company’s latest investment in high-quality digital content for parents and young learners and supports its ongoing strategic focus on the direct-to-consumer market.

Available in both iOS and Android, the award winning MeeGenius app and subscription service offer mobile access to hundreds of classic children’s stories, MeeGenius originals, and content from authors around the world, enhanced with interactive digital features such as read-along word highlighting, audio playback, and engaging story narration.

“MeeGenius provides a combination of beloved children’s stories, and interactive tools that support literacy development and give families a smart array of digital books in one comprehensive offering,” said CJ Kettler, Executive Vice President and Chief of Consumer Brands and Strategy at HMH. “As HMH continues to expand its portfolio of digital consumer products, the incorporation of these MeeGenius assets further strengthens our content offerings beyond the classroom.”

Created by parents and entrepreneurs Wandy Yeap Hoh and David Park in 2010, MeeGenius transforms mobile devices into expansive digital libraries for young learners. The service is currently available online at meegenius.com, and via the App Store, Google Play, Amazon and the Nook Store.

“When we developed MeeGenius five years ago, our goal was to offer a quality mobile experience for young readers and their families,” said Wandy Yeap Hoh, Co-founder and CEO of MeeGenius. “We are thrilled that our creation is now joining one of the world’s leading providers of educational media and look forward to watching our ebook assets become an integral part of its growing digital content offering for children and families.”

As a leading global learning company, HMH is well positioned to create educational and entertaining content that extends beyond the classroom and meets the needs of young learners, parents and families at home and on the move. Across multiple channels and formats —from mobile apps and web portals to ebooks and paperbacks — HMH provides engaging and inspiring content that parents can trust.