Danish publisher JP/Politikens has acquired a 70 percent stake in Norwegian nonfiction publishers Kagge and J.M. Stenersens, which together comprise Norway’s fifth largest publishing group. Politikens says the acquisition “fulfills its ambition to create a significant Scandinavian publishing group with strong, independent publishers in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.” They established Polaris in Sweden in 2017, and acquired Swedish nonfiction publishing house Roos & Tegnér in early 2021. Kagge and J.M. Stenersens will continue to function as independent publishers and Jorunn Sandsmark will remain publishing director. Kagge founder Erling Kagge continues as publisher, board member, and co-owner with the remaining 30 percent […]
M&A
Acquisitions: Rough Edges Press to Wolfpack
Wolfpack Publishing has acquired author James Reasoner’s Rough Edges Press. The line will become an imprint of Wolfpack, publishing new mysteries, thrillers, and crime fiction.
HBG Completes Acquisition of Workman
Hachette Book Group announced it has completed its $240 million acquisition of Workman. As previously announced, Workman ceo Dan Reynolds will head the group, reporting to HBG ceo Michael Pietsch, and will join the Executive Management Board. Pietsch said, “This is a significant and exciting milestone for Hachette Book Group, as we welcome an extraordinary publisher to HBG. We have deep admiration for Workman’s publishing, its people, its authors and illustrators, its books, its commitment to backlist and its culture. The opportunity for HBG to join forces with Workman is one I believe will be enormously beneficial to both companies, […]
Vivendi Boosts Ownership of Lagardere, and Will Launch Tender Offer for Full Buyout
The battle for control of Lagardere enters what may be its final stage, as well-funded Vivendi is taking steps towards a full takeover. Vivendi announced an agreement to buy activist investor Amber Capital’s significant minority stake in Lagardere, paying €24.10 a share for Amber’s block of over 25 million shares, comprising just under 18 percent of shares outstanding. That price provided a good premium above the market close of €19.49 on Wednesday. Vivendi and Amber had a reciprocal right to buy each other out if either party wanted to sell. The FT reported, “Last week, Amber told Vivendi it wanted […]
Acquisitions: Hachette UK Buys Arcadia
Hachette UK has acquired independent publisher Arcadia Books, which will operate within the MacLehose Press imprint at Quercus. Associate publisher Katharina Bielenberg will take over as publisher at Arcadia. Since the death of founder Gary Pulsifer in 2016, the company has been run by Piers Russell-Cobb at MediaFund. Quercus noted in the announcement: “Arcadia has since its inception been passionately committed to publishing a wide and diverse range of voices, with an especially strong list of international literature in translation.”
Follett School Solutions Acquired By Francisco Partners
Follett Corporation has sold Follett School Solutions, the company’s K-12 software and content division, to tech-focused investment firm Francisco Partners, which owns the K-12 education-focused businesses Renaissance Learning, Discovery Education, Freckle, myON and Mystery Science. Earlier in the year, Francisco bought VitalSource from Ingram Content Group. The terms of the deal were not announced. Follett Corporation will continue to own and operate college bookstores through the Follett Higher Education Group, as well as what remains of Baker & Taylor. Britten Follett, a fifth-generation family member, will become ceo of FSS Content, while Paul Ilse, former ceo of Discovery Education (another […]