LES MISERABLES: THE MUSICAL PHENOMENON NOW AVAILABLE FOR FREE ON THE iBOOKSTORE

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Dec. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Pictures announced today the release of the free Multi-Touch book Les Miserables: The Musical Phenomenon, a digital companion to the highly anticipated musical epic Les Miserables, which hits theaters nationwide on Christmas Day.  This represents Universal Pictures' first book created with iBooks Author, Apple's digital book creation app.  Available exclusively on the iBookstore, Les Miserables: The Musical Phenomenon was created in partnership with NBCUniversal Digital Publishing and entertainment marketing company Bemis Balkind.

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Highlighting the timeless music, celebrated performers, intricate costumes and sweeping cinematography of the film, the book presents an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the artistry of Les Miserables.  It includes exclusive interviews, photo galleries and video, musical performances, interactive timelines and more.

Doug Neil, senior vice president of digital marketing, Universal Pictures, stated: "We're thrilled to provide a digital experience for fans of Les Miserables that enhances the vision of the film's director, Tom Hooper.  The interactivity of the digital book allows for an immersive experience, putting readers in the world of Les Miserables before they experience the phenomenon in theaters."

Curt Doty, who heads up the digital group at Bemis Balkind, added: "Our philosophy on building these new touchpoints is to create a beautiful, illustrated book and enhance it with content and Multi-Touch interactivity.  We always want these to have a balance of the written word, amazing photography and compelling interactive content."

"We are very proud to be associated with this terrific project and to make it available to readers familiar with both the musical and Victor Hugo's classic story," said Michael Fabiano, vice-president and general manager of NBC Publishing.  "This enhanced book is simply a great way of experiencing Universal's behind-the-scenes magic and is sure to reach a whole new fan base as well."

The book details the 28-year history of Les Miserables the musical, as well as highlights each major cast member in the new film and showcases their musical performances with video clips from the movie.  Some of the unique interactive features include the "Character Relationships" widget, which allows fans to see how each character is related to the others, and the timeline, which establishes key events in the course of this epic story that is told over 33 years.

Les Miserables: The Musical Phenomenon is available worldwide for free, exclusively on the iBookstore at iTunes.com/iBookstore.  The "Les Miserables: Highlights from the Motion Picture Soundtrack" is also available on the iTunes Store at www.iTunes.com/LesMis.

About Les Miserables
Les Miserables is the motion-picture adaptation of the beloved global stage sensation seen by more than 60 million people in 42 countries and in 21 languages around the globe and still breaking box-office records everywhere in its 28^th year.  Helmed by The King's Speech's Academy Award^®-winning director, Tom Hooper, the Working Title/Cameron Mackintosh production stars Hugh Jackman, Oscar^® winner Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit, Samantha Barks, with Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen.  www.lesmiserablesfilm.com

About Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures is a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com).  Universal Studios is part of NBCUniversal.  NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience.  NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks.  Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

About NBC Publishing
NBC Publishing is a division of NBCUniversal Media, LLC that focuses on developing digital publishing projects from content created within the NBCUniversal and Comcast family of properties, as well as publishing original works with outside authors and publishing partners.

About Bemis Balkind
Bemis Balkind draws on the heritage of their conceptual, iconic marketing solutions to develop the structural interfaces that carry marketing and entertainment content effectively for the connected consumer.  Based in New York and Los Angeles, they have been creating memorable movie marketing campaigns since 1968 including Rosemary's Baby, Alien, Forrest Gump, Black Swan and Snow White and the Huntsman.  The company is led by the legendary brand strategist Aubrey Balkind and film-marketing veteran Peter Bemis.

SOURCE Universal Pictures