Skyhorse announced a deal to acquire conservative publisher Regnery from Salem Media Group, which amusingly they chose to release through the New York Times. (But it worked, and got the paper to cover an otherwise small acquisition.) Regnery is projecting sales of just $10 million for 2023, and will operate as an imprint of Skyhorse. They bring a backlist of over 1,500 titles. Skyhorse president and publisher Tony Lyons tells the NYT candidly that his books “are provocative and dangerous and disturbing,” which he sees as an argument why stores should carry them, to “encourage dialogue and debate.” The transaction […]
M&A
The Year in Mergers
2023 was the year of “finally” in mergers and acquisitions, as two long-in-the-making deals involving some of the largest trade publishers finally closed. Simon & Schuster was sold to KKR three-and-a-half years after their parent company started the sale process. And Lagardere (parent of Hachette Book Group and the rest of Lagardere Publishing) is finally controlled by Vivendi, two years after the latter launched their tender offer to acquire Lagardere, and three-and-a-half years after first buying a stake in Lagardere. In order to take control of Lagardere, Vivendi finally had to divest of Editis — after trying other options — […]
Lerner Acquires Gecko Press
Lerner Publishing Group has acquired New Zealand children’s book publisher Gecko Press, for an undisclosed sum. Gecko has been distributed by Lerner in the US for the past 13 years, and will operate as an international imprint. Starting January 1, Lerner will handle fulfillment, customer service, and general publishing and business management for Gecko worldwide. The company will continue to acquire from New Zealand, and it will keep its distribution partnerships with Bounce in the UK and Walker Books in ANZ. Under the new organization, Gecko plans to launch 18-20 new titles in 2024. Gecko associate publisher Rachel Lawson will “oversee […]
Penguin Random House Acquires Hay House
Penguin Random House continues to expand, acquiring mind-body-spirit, self-help, health and wellness publisher Hay House, for undisclosed terms. Long self-distributed, Hay House moved their distribution to PRHPS in 2018. They have a backlist of over 1,500 titles. Hay House ceo Reid Tracy will continue to run the operation, and “no changes are planned for its Carlsbad, CA, New York, and London offices, or its management and employees.” The company was founded in 1984 by Louise Hay, author You Can Heal Your Life. Tracy says in the announcement, “I am excited to remain at the helm of Hay House in partnership […]
Acquisitions: The Taunton Press
The Taunton Press has been acquired by “enthusiast media company” Active Interest Media. AIM president at ceo Andrew Clurman said in a release, “AIM and Taunton are closely aligned on several important fronts. While the symmetry of many of our core markets is obvious; woodworking, gardening, and homebuilding; there are many other similarities. Strategically, like AIM, Taunton has been aggressively pursuing the creation of new digital products, memberships, and online learning to better serve their audiences. Most importantly, Taunton shares with AIM a commitment to growing and promoting both the communities we serve, and our fantastic teams dedicated to that […]
Leaver Unveils New Publishing Group
Marcus Leaver has announced the launch of his new company, Gemini Books Group. The goal is to “build a publishing business focused on the UK and North American markets through the acquisition of established companies and by incubating start-up businesses in scalable areas of the market.” Gemini has acquired Imagine That!, Palazzo Editions, Ad Lib Publishers, Mardle Books and Pimpernel Press. Managing director of Palazzo and Mardle Jon Rippon serves as group finance director of Gemini and sits on the board. Leaver says in the announcement, “I look forward to working with Jon to build a publishing business where we […]