The long-expected sale of IMG Worldwide is now underway, the WSJ reports, with Morgan Stanley and Evercore running the offer on behalf of Forstmann Little. CAA and its private-equity backer TPG is one potential bidder; William Morris (with capital from their backer Silver Lake) is considered a possible bidder as well. Not mentioned in the WSJ story is Lagardere. They are IMG’s major rival in sports marketing and representation, and the conglomerate has expressed interest in acquiring IMG in the past. (By the same token, a talent agency acquiring IMG would find themselves Lagardere’s rival in sports.)
Archives for August 2013
Digital Imprints: HQN First, Renaissance
Harlequin will expand its digital-first offerings (which began in 2010 with the launch of Carina Press) beginning this fall. Harlequin-E will introduce short digital works (minimum 10,000 words) in categories that don’t fit in existing series lines. Harlequin Teen will launch its digital first program on October 1 with STIR ME UP by debut author Sabrina Elkins, a contemporary young adult novel with New Adult crossover appeal. And both Mira and HQN will launch digital-first programs in the first quarter of 2014. Meanwhile, add to the list of growing ebook operations from literary agencies the full-service efforts from Renaissance Literary […]
Digital: May 2014 Apple Trial; Late-August Kobo Event; Chegg Files for An IPO
Judge Denise Cote formally set the damages trial against Apple in the ebook pricing case for May 2014. Also, the full transcript from the August 9 conference on the proposed injunction has been posted. “What I’m trying to do here is to fashion as narrow a remedy as possible to create, restore, promote, price competition in ebooks,” Judge Cote. “We do need an injunction here. There was blatant price fixing. There was structural collusion by the publisher defendants.” She acknowledges again that agency by itself is a legal selling arrangement — but she also clearly prefers a world in which […]
People: Carl Brandt Dies, and More
Literary agent Carl D. Brandt, 78, died on Tuesday. He joined Brandt & Brandt, the firm founded by his father, in 1957 and worked there ever since, eventually running the agency. Brandt had been working from home in recent months for the agency, now called Brandt & Hochman. The agency notes: “He will be remembered as a gentleman in a gentleman’s business; a champion of serious nonfiction writers; an astute reader and advisor; a warm and beloved colleague.” Executive Editor for Harlequin Love Inspired Joan Marlow Golan is retiring on Friday. She joined the company in 1997 as a senior editor […]
New Books: Eggers, Murakami In English, Amazon’s Icons, First Alibis
Dave Eggers has published the hardcover editions of his own books since 2002 through his company McSweeney’s Books, long before it was indie-fashionable — and fueled by a paperback co-publishing arrangement with Vintage and international licenses with traditional publishers. His latest novel, THE CIRCLE, has just been listed for publication October 8 — with the hardcover coming this time from Knopf. It’s said to be a co-publication with McSweeney’s as well, though the listing (and bookseller metadata) only credits Knopf. More formal information is expected later today. Last month, McSweeney’s announced the sale of their archives to The Harry Ransom […]
Apple, DOJ Will Meet Again in Court on August 27
As ordered, Apple and the Department of Justice submitted a joint letter to Judge Cote at the end of the day Monday that schedules a court hearing on August 27 at 2 PM to discuss their progress on a proposed injunction. Both sides also said they will submit letters concerning their respective positions on the scope of the injunction — which, for now, are as far apart as they can possibly get — by August 23. Separately, also on Monday, Judge Cote officially approved the government’s motion for entry of its proposed settlement with Macmillan, a week after granting preliminary […]