News Corp announced Friday that it has completed its acquisition of Harlequin in early May, with the publisher set to keep its Toronto headquarters and, as previously announced, operate as a division of HarperCollins. The deal closed in advance of HarperCollins’ next quarterly report, which will be announced after the close of the market on August 7. “We are pleased to formally welcome Harlequin and its employees to the new News,” said News Corp chief executive Robert Thomson in the announcement. “The addition of such an iconic brand with a loyal audience, robust global expertise and digital depth is a […]
Amazon Dispute Has “Limited” Or No Effect on Lagardere Publishing Results
Lagardere reported first-half of the year results after the close of the market in France on Thursday. Sales at Lagardere Publishing were 510 million euros in the second quarter (up 12 million euros) — and 903 million euros for the full first half, up 2.5 percent on a like-for-like basis for the quarter but down 1.5 percent (or 14 million euros) in actual results because of foreign exchange. Earnings did fall to 51 million euros, down 28 percent from 71 million euros a year ago, due to an “exceptionally rich” publishing program in the first half of 2013. The company answered the big […]
Corporate: Perseus Sale Postponed; Mondadori Merges Children’s Imprints
The closing of the sale of the Perseus Books Group to Hachette — with the distribution businesses to be sold in turn to Ingram Content Group — has been postponed past the intended July 31 date. That closing date always seemed ambitious, since the complicated three-way agreement was not executed until June 24, though up until a few days ago the parties were proceeding on track with that closing date. Indeed, HBG indicated to us in a brief statement, “This transaction is more complex because there are three parties involved and so more time is needed.” Perseus employees were told by email […]
People, Etc.
Ten Speed Press announced a number of promotions and new hires. In the publicity and marketing departments, Lorraine Woodcheke has been named marketing & publicity manager, cookbooks, while Natalie Mulford moves up to marketing and publicity manager, Watson-Guptill and Amphoto Books. In the design department, Betsy Stromberg has been promoted to senior art director while Chloe Rawlins moves up to senior design manager. Kara Plikaitis has been named senior art director and Ashley Lima joins as art director. Finally, Tatiana Pavola has been named junior designer, while Anitra Alcantara joins as production designer. At Potter Style, Jay Sacher has been […]
People, PEN Awards, Etc.
Marcie Lawrence has joined Little, Brown Books for Young Readers as designer. She is a recent graduate from the School of Visual Arts MFA Design program, and was previously at Wenner Media. In addition, Maggie Edkins has been promoted to assistant designer. Susan Peterson has joined CodeManta as svp, sales. Most recently she was president of Blackwell Book Services, North America, prior to which she was svp of digital business at Baker & Taylor. Author, journalist, and NYC correspondent for National Public Radio Margot Adler died in New York City on July 28. DRAWING DOWN THE MOON was her well-known work […]
People, Etc.
Brenda Marsh has joined Abrams in the newly created position of vp, business development. The position will focus on both new and existing business opportunities, market analysis and company growth initiatives. Most recently, Marsh was vp, author relations at Barnes & Noble. Last week, Barnes & Noble added retired Vice Admiral John R. Ryan to the board. They note in their filing that he “has substantial experience serving on public company boards undergoing strategic transactions such as separations, including serving as a director of Cablevision Systems Corporation during its 2010 spinoff of Madison Square Garden, its 2011 spinoff of AMC Networks, Inc., […]