France’s second-largest publisher Editis — bought by Vivendia from Planeta earlier this year — is in exclusive negotiations to acquire L’Archipel. (Generally speaking, these exclusive negotiations lead to a formal acquisition, and the parties speak about it as a done deal in their press release.) L’Archipel will remain under the direction of founder and president…
International News
Briefs: Germany’s KNV Sold, Scribd Minis, Rebel Girls Imprint, PRH UK Pulls Book
Bankrupt German book wholesaler KNV (Koch, Neff and Volckmar) was auctioned by the trustee to Berlin-based privately owned logistics company Zeitfracht. The sale price was not disclosed, but the creditors’ committees have approved the purchase agreement. Zeitfracht says it will retain all employees — approximately 1,600 jobs — and continue to operate KNV’s three locations….
Briefs: Realignments, Initiatives, and More
Realigning Two UK publishers announced internal realignments. Ebury is adding “self” and “lifestyle/BBC” publishing “hubs” to the smart and entertainment hubs they created earlier this year — and now publicity and marketing are being brought closer together. It seems publicity is now called “campaigns,” with Joanna Bennett promoted to head of campaigns for the Smart…
Andrews McMeel to Print Epic’s Digital Originals; Octopus Acquires Short Books
Andrews McMeel will publish a new line of printed children’s books based on digital originals from the children’s subscription service Epic!, which says it is “used by more than 10 million children in homes and schools.” (In March, Epic! said they had over 1.7 million subscribers.) Those Epic! Originals have drawn over 8 million reads…
Briefs: Book Tariffs, Amazon’s UK Pop-Ups
There was little news from Book Expo, so the AP’s round-up piece looks in part at a number of issues weighing on the publishing community that were not addressed at the convention — including the looming potential tariffs on printed books imported from China. Hachette Book Group ceo Michael Pietsch comments: “Following so soon after…
Hachette Book Group, IPG Add Distribution Programs for Indies; Pottermore Moves to New Warner JV, and More
The steady stream continues of publishers offering programs to encourage independent booksellers to order directly, following Baker & Taylor‘s announcement on May 1 that they will withdraw from trade wholesaling. The latest announcements are from Hachette Book Group and Independent Publishers Group. Under the HBG plan, any independent bookstore who does not already have an…