Archives for March 2007

Rare Quiet Barring anything extraordinary, Lunch will rest for the balance of this week. As always, PublishersMarketplace.com will continue without interruption — including news links and postings on the home page as warranted, and the full flow of deals, jobs and data. The ICM Trials With testimony over after a second day of sparks, Judge Leisure will rule shortly on ICM’s request for a temporary restraining order blocking Richard Abate from going to work for Endeavor before the end of the year, when his ICM contract expires. As the LAT notes, “the crux of the case [is]: Was Abate fired […]

Warner No More Warner Books has changed its named to Grand Central Publishing, reflecting their soon-to-be new address on Park Avenue just north of the station. “It also reflects the publisher’s renewed commitment to publishing a diverse range of books and offering readers content through new channels and new formats.” Publisher Jamie Raab’s idea, the new name prevailed over such suggestions as Blue Heron and Jack Straw. Coming Wednesday Oprah Winfrey will announce a new book club pick. Vintage is the lucky publisher. Smith May Want Airport Stores Bearing in mind that the UK press reporting on Borders is rather […]

Deal Reports Just e-mail to deals@PublishersMarketplace if you aren’t using the online form linked below. Report a deal using the online form The Key As usual, the handy key to our Lunch deal categories. While all reports are always welcome, those that include a category will generally receive a higher listing when it comes time to put them all together. “nice deal” $1 – $49,000 “very nice deal” $50,000 – $99,000 “good deal” $100,000 – $250,000 “significant deal” $251,000 – $499,000 “major deal” $500,000 and up FICTION Debut Julia Stuart’s THE MATCHMAKER OF PERIGORD, in which a barber turned matchmaker […]

Personnel News Chronicle Books has hired Bill Boedeker for the new position of children’s publishing director, following Victoria Rock’s transition to editor-at-large and founding publisher earlier this year. Boedeker was most recently vp of marketing and associate publisher at Little, Brown Children’s. Former Literary Group agent Ian Kleinert will lead a new management and production company, Objective Entertainment, formed by Mudd Jeans founder Marty Weisfeld and veteran music manager and television producer Jarred Weisfeld. Objective will have agents to represent clients in book publishing, dramatic writing, and talent, and will develop and produce properties for television and film. As of […]

Borders: It’s a Real Plan New Borders management has cast aside the cosmetic restructuring ideas that have ruled over the past few years and announced a broad strategy to remake the company. CEO George Jones notes in the announcement, “Our company’s performance has fallen short in an industry that is increasingly competitive, technology driven and price sensitive. We recognize the urgent need to go on the offensive and drive significant change.” Jones’s plan is to “invest only in transformation, not replication,” which includes numerous reversals of the company’s previous strategy. Some elements simply address the overlooked obvious: the company’s historical […]

Results Rise at Random Random House turned in a good year, with total sales rising 6.5 percent to 1.95 billion euros, up from 1.83 billion euros a year ago, “thanks to a huge number of bestsellers and several corporate acquisitions.” Operating profits, reported by the company as EBIT, hit 182 million euros, a new record. Those acquisitions — including a majority stake in BBC Books, Multnomah, Triumph, purchases in Germany and the buyout of joint venture partners in Korea — likely accounted for about 50 million euros worth of the rise, according to breakouts in the annual report. They also […]