Animated marketing for Alex Rider

Walker Books and Screenbase Media have joined forces to create the first animated "viral" promotion for a children's book. Scorpia Mission offers an interactive slice of the action, mystery and suspense from the fifth of Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider books, Scorpia, on sale from 1 April 2004.

Next week, 250,000 children will be invited to watch the dramatic promo at
http://www.scorpiamission.com

Fans can discover what Scorpia is and the dark secrets about Alex Rider's father in an animated trailer. For those who cannot wait for the book, Scorpia Mission offers an exclusive extract of the first chapter, as well as details about Anthony Horowitz and further information about the Alex Rider series.

Walker Books approached Screenbase for this project, as their core-sector expertise lies in publishing, film and TV. They have developed and built author and title brands, including Douglas Coupland's Hey Nostradamus, Salam Pax's The Baghdad Blog and the Life of Pi promotion, which won an award at the 2003 Flash Forward Film Festival. Screenbase has worked with some of the largest media brands in the UK to provide a unique mix of creative and technical services that encompass marketing, graphic and web design. Previous clients include HarperCollins, Canongate Books, Edinburgh International Film Festival and Channel 4.

Anthony Horowitz, author of the Alex Rider series, said:

"I just love it. It really grips you from the start, and I particularly like the fact that it's so adult in nature - not at all condescending. I hope it entices a few kids away from their computers and into the books."

Alison Morrison, Head of Marketing at Walker Books, said:
"We are always looking for new and exciting ways to reach a wider audience in an environment that they respond to. Screenbase has produced a gripping trailer which will ignite anticipation among those who know the Alex Rider series, while establishing new readers as well!"

To preview the site visit Scorpia Mission at
http://www.scorpiamission.com