Tim Holman will step down as the publisher of Orbit UK to focus on his role as svp and publisher of Orbit in the US, though he will continue to work from London. HBG ceo Michael Pietsch says, “I’m extremely happy that he has decided to devote 100% of his time and talent to even greater growth and creative publishing in the US market. Anna Jackson will move up to publisher of Orbit UK in April, reporting to Charlie King. Paola Crespo has been promoted to marketing manager at Orbit. At St. Martin’s publishing group: Rebecca Lang has been promoted to […]
M&A
UK Raises Concerns Over McGraw-Hill and Cengage Merger, Gives Five Days to Address
The United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has given McGraw-Hill and Cengage five working days to address concerns that their planned merger will adversely affect the quality and price of textbooks available to their students. If they fail to do so, the CMA will move to an “in-depth” Phase II investigation, which could delay the merger further still. The two companies have already moved their expectations for completion of a deal from March to August, due to a slower-than-expected regulatory review in the United States. The Australian competition agency’s initial finding is also due this week. In its first […]
People, Etc.
At Abrams Children’s Books, Hallie Patterson has been promoted to director of publicity and Brooke Shearouse to publicity manager. In the UK, John Murray publisher Mark Richards and Profile Books commercial director Diana Broccardo have founded Swift Press. They expect to publish 6 to 8 titles in 2021. The principal investors are Geoffrey Faber Holdings and Set Copyrights, co-owners of Faber & Faber. It’s the first time they have invested in another publisher. Swift will join the Independent Alliance for sales. Duke University press editorial director since 2005 Ken Wissoker is staying with the house, now as senior executive editor, […]
People, Etc.
At Tin House, Nanci McCloskey has been promoted to associate publisher, director of marketing and sales. Masie Cochran becomes editorial director. At Little, Brown Jessica Chun has been promoted to marketing director; Shannon Hennessey to associate publicist; Alyssa Persons to senior publicist; Juliana Horbachevsky to assistant director of publicity for the Spark and Voracious imprints; Tracy Shaw to executive art director / Jimmy Patterson Books; and Kirin Diemont to junior designer, Little Brown trade art department. Lisa Quach has joined Simon & Schuster Children’s as marketing manager. She was most recently senior marketing coordinator at Big Honcho Media. At Random House Children’s […]
UK Publisher Haynes Announces Sale to Infopro Digital
UK car manual publisher Haynes will be acquired by Infopro Digital, its Netherlands-based competitor, in an all-cash deal valued at approximately £114.5 million. Founder and executive chairman of Infopro Digital Christophe Czajka said, “We are committed to working together to create a company that will continue to help define the future of automotive data.” Haynes’ board voted unanimously for the sale, which comes three months after the company announced a search for a buyer. Shareholders will vote on the deal at the next general meeting in March or April 2020. According to the board, almost 82 percent of shareholders have […]
Hachette Acquires Disney Book Group, Moves to Inform and Reassure Confused Authors and Agents
Hachette Book Group has acquired the Disney Book Group, comprising a catalog of over 1,000 titles, announced Thursday afternoon, and will publish those books as part of Little, Brown Children’s. The deal includes over 100 titles acquired but not yet published by Disney. A small number of titles that lend themselves to exploitation in multiple forms were retained by Disney and transferred out of the group to a different entity before the sale closed. Little, Brown Children’s publisher Megan Tingley said in an email to authors and agents that “as of February 1, 2020, the acquired titles are available on […]