Mare Nostrum Group has acquired academic sales and distribution company Eurospan, including all asset and businesses, in a deal that will close August 14. Eurospan’s parent United Independent Distributors went into bankruptcy administration on July 24. Mare Nostrum Group’s distribution partner, Wiley, will take on the Eurospan client inventory in their facility in Bognor Regis. Wiley will also offer print-on-demand options to the group’s clients. Managing Director of Mare Nostrum Group David Pickering, said, “We are delighted to be able to offer the Eurospan team and their publisher clients a home at Mare Nostrum Group. In the past we have […]
M&A
Australia’s Booktopia Sold to DigiDirect
Online electronics retailer digiDirect has bought Booktopia, after it was pushed into bankruptcy in June by its credit card processor, owing creditors about $60 million (AU). The acquisition, for an undisclosed amount of money, includes all the business’s assets. DigiDirect is owned by Shant Kradjian, who will serve as ceo. Kradjian says he is adding 100 jobs back to the company and encouraging laid off employees to return (the company laid off about 90 workers over the past 18 months). The previous senior management and board of directors will not be a part of the company going forward. Kradjian was […]
Editis in Talks to Acquire Delcourt
Editis has entered exclusive negotiations to acquire French comics publisher Groupe Delcourt. The deal would give strengthen Editis’ offerings in the comics and manga business, while Delcourt would benefit from the support of a major publishing group. Delcourt president Guy Delcourt would “remain at the head of the house he founded nearly 40 years ago, and whose identity and operational autonomy would be preserved,” a release states. Delcourt said, “The Delcourt Group is opening a new page in its history by entering into exclusive negotiations with the Editis Group. This new home port would be both reassuring in its scope and […]
Penguin Random House to Acquire Boom! Studios
Comic book and graphic novel publisher Boom! Studios has an agreement to be acquired by Penguin Random House. Under the deal, expected to close this summer, Boom! Studios will join the Random House Worlds portfolio of imprints. PRH says Boom! “will retain their editorial and publishing independence,” reporting to Scott Shannon, who oversaw the deal for PRH. Keith Clayton, vp publisher, Random House Worlds, and Bill Takes, evp of business strategy, Random House Publishing Group, “will work alongside Shannon and the Boom! Studios team to help manage and integrate the new imprint.” Boom! titles will continue to be distributed by Simon […]
Acquisitions: RBmedia to Acquire Dreamscape Media
RBmedia has an agreement to acquire audiobook publisher Dreamscape Media, which includes Dreamscape Publishing and Dreamscape Select. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2024. Dreamscape produces and distributes audiobooks in 60 countries, and also provides services to self-published authors looking to create audiobooks. Founded in 2010, Dreamscape has a catalog of over 7,000 audiobooks. The company said previously it had sales of $30 million in 2023, up from $23.5 million in 2022. RBmedia ceo Michael Paull said in a release, “The acquisition of Dreamscape will give RBmedia additional depth in key genres and enable us […]
DK Acquires “A Kid’s Book About” Series
DK has acquired US-based media company A Kids Co.’s book series A Kid’s Book About. The line of children’s books, focused on diverse storytelling and representation, has been sold direct-to-consumers. DK had previously licensed and sold a portion of the line and now will sell the full list of 170 titles globally. A Kids Co. was founded in 2019 by author and entrepreneur Jelani Memory. The company will “continue to produce new podcasts, operate the direct to consumer business, seek brand partnerships outside of books, and pursue additional multi-media opportunities to tell impactful stories for kids of all ages.” Memory […]