Tweens everywhere will discover a new heroine this spring with the May 5^th appearance of Mackenzie Blue, the first in the series of HarperCollins Children’s Books about the many adventures of seventh-grader and aspiring pop star Mackenzie Blue. 

Island Def Jam Music Group and author Tina Wells have formed a strategic partnership to launch a major talent search and discover the REAL Mackenzie Blue, it was announced today by Antonio ‘L.A.’ Reid, Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group.  This forward-looking ‘360’ arrangement will bring the fictional Mackenzie Blue to life as the leader of her own recording and touring pop band.  The talent search will be the prelude to Mackenzie Blue’s first EP release on Island Def Jam coinciding with the publication of the debut book in May.

            “I am thrilled with the opportunities that are presented by this partnership with Island Def Jam and L.A. Reid,” said Ms. Wells.  “The company truly understands the world of  Mackenzie Blue and the potential of following her young character’s aspirations to become a music star as the books develop.  The sky is the limit for IDJ and Mackenzie Blue as other new and exciting branding options arise in the future.”

            12-year old seventh grader Mackenzie Blue (‘Zee’) is the charismatic, fashionable, pop culture savvy, and down-to-earth star of the new series of books that chronicle the adventures of a diverse crew of friends trying to survive middle school at prestigious Brookdale Academy. Mackenzie Blue is upbeat and promotes positive messages to tweens about making good choices.  Dynamic black-and-white illustrations, diary entries, instant messages, and emails make Zee’s world and friends come alive.

            Mackenzie Blue marks the writing debut of youth expert Tina Wells, CEO and founder of Buzz Marketing Group (BuzzMG), and its newly formed division, Buzz Publishing Group.  BuzzMG is America’s premiere by-youth-for-youth marketing and communications agency.  It has created innovative marketing strategies for numerous clients within the music, beauty, entertain­ment, fashion, financial, and lifestyle sectors, along them Sony BMG, Sesame Work­shop, Johnson & Johnson, Verizon Wireless, and Procter + Gamble.

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