NBCUNIVERSAL AND HYPERION BOOKS ANNOUNCE PLANS TO PUBLISH NEW BOOK "PAWNEE: THE GREATEST TOWN IN AMERICA"

First Book Based on Hit NBC Series "Parks and Recreation" Will Feature a Hilarious and Historical Tour of Pawnee -- Complete with Other Characters' Commentary, Photographs and Illustrations

Release Hits Bookstores October 4, 2011

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. -- June 14, 2011 - NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group and Hyperion Books announced today that they will publish "Pawnee: The Greatest Town in America," a book written from the perspective of show character Leslie Knope (portrayed by Emmy Award nominee Amy Poehler). Knope serves as Deputy Director of the Parks and Recreation department for Pawnee, Indiana on the hit NBC series "Parks and Recreation" (Thursdays, 8:30-9 p.m. ET).

The 240-page book, which includes illustrations, photographs, and other characters' commentaries, will hit bookstores on October 4, 2011. Pottinger Nichols, the literary licensing agency for NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group, brokered the deal.

Each chapter will explore a different aspect of the fictional town's history and expand upon events hinted at in the series, such as: the time the whole town was on fire, its long list of ridiculous town slogans, and the ongoing raccoon infestation. Knope, a resident of Pawnee since her childhood, provides all of the research and comical insights into this Midwestern town that fans have grown to love.

"If you like small towns with big ideas, this book is for you!" said Poehler. "And here's hoping that Indianapolis will play Pawnee when they turn this book into a movie!"

"The ever-expanding town of Pawnee has become its own character in our show, and we're thrilled that we got to accelerate that expansion in one giant, goofy 240-page comedy book," said Mike Schur, co-creator and executive producer of the series. "It's a complete portrait of Everytown, USA, which every reader -- whether a fan of the show or a newbie -- can enjoy."

"This book is such a fun read, you'll be smiling page after page. It's a snapshot of small town, America filled with laugh-out-loud historical remembrances and local tributes," said Kim Niemi, Senior Vice President, NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group. "Here's to Leslie Knope for capturing the spirit of Pawnee for readers everywhere."

Of the deal, Hyperion Books editor Matt Inman said, "We are absolutely thrilled to be publishing 'Pawnee,' written by some of the most talented writers and actors working in television today. "Pawnee" is an absolutely hilarious look at one of America's great small towns. Both 'Parks and Recreation' and Amy Poehler fans will love it."

"Parks and Recreation" returns to NBC for its fourth season this fall on Thursdays (8:30-9 p.m. ET).

About Hyperion Publishing:

Hyperion, founded in 1991, publishes general-interest fiction and non-fiction hardcover, trade, and mass-market paperback books for adults, and includes the Voice, Hyperion eBook, and Hyperion Audio imprints. Hyperion is the adult trade book publishing unit of the Disney/ABC-Television Group, which is part of The Walt Disney Company. For further information, please visit www.hyperionbooks.com.

About NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group:

NBCUniversal is a leader in providing entertainment programming to the domestic and international marketplaces. NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group manages all global ancillary television business endeavors for the NBC Universal Television Group, including third-party home entertainment distribution, consumer products, musical soundtracks, special markets projects and the NBC Universal Online Store.

About "Parks and Recreation:"

From Emmy Award-winning executive producers Greg Daniels (NBC's "The Office," "King of the Hill") and Michael Schur (NBC's "The Office," "Saturday Night Live"), "Parks and Recreation" is a hilarious ensemble comedy that landed on dozens of critics' "Top 10" lists in its second season. It follows Leslie Knope (Emmy nominee Amy Poehler, NBC's "Saturday Night Live," "Baby Mama") a mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee, Indiana, and her tireless efforts to make her quintessentially American town just a little bit more fun.

Leslie's office mates include Chris Traeger (Rob Lowe, "Brothers & Sisters," "The West Wing"), a health nut who wants to live to be 150 years old, and Tom Haverford (Aziz Ansari, "Human Giant," "Scrubs"), a fashion-obsessed wannabe player whose greatest dream is to own his own nightclub. Leslie's boss, Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman "Children's Hospital"), hates the very government he works for, and sports one of the most impressive moustaches on primetime television.

Rounding out the cast are Leslie's love interest Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott, "Tell Me You Love Me," "Party Down"), her best friend Ann (Rashida Jones, "I Love You, Man," "The Office"), shoeshine boy extraordinaire Andy Dwyer (Chris Pratt, "Everwood"), and his wife April (Aubrey Plaza, "Funny People"), who doubles as Ron's sullen assistant. Also starring are Retta ("It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia") as the fun-loving Donna Meagle and Jim O'Heir ("Castle") as the department's punching bag, Jerry Gergich.

In addition to Poehler's Emmy nomination, the show received two 2010 Television Critics Award Nominations, for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy and Individual Achievement in Comedy (Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson), and Entertainment Weekly named it "TV's Smartest Comedy" in a 2011 cover story.

"Parks and Recreation" is a production of Deedle-Dee Productions, Fremulon, 3 Arts Entertainment and Universal Media Studios. Along with Daniels and Schur, Howard Klein ("The Office") and David Miner ("30 Rock") also serve as executive producers for the series.