We’ve had a rich and interesting day in Frankfurt so far at the Publishers Launch conference, which kicks off the pre-fair forums. A bookseller-focused post is listed separately, and we’ll have more reporting tomorrow, with additional reports coming in from paidContent and The Bookseller. The event starting with a look at the larger competitive landscape of Apple, Amazon, Google and Facebook to set context from UK analyst Benedict Evans of Enders Analysis. He reminded the audience that “Amazon is a mechanism for capturing the conversion of commerce to ecommerce. As each sector becomes susceptible to ecommerce it captures” that sector […]
International News
BN Eyes “Digital Moms” and Content Channels for International Rollout; More Kobo Partnerships Imminent
At the Publishers Launch Frankfurt conference on Monday, new Barnes & Noble international executive Patrick Rouvillois emphasized that in their imminent UK launch that they will be focusing on “digital moms” and families, as they have in the US. He was joined by BN executives Theresa Horner and Jim Hilt, who emphasized that the new Microsoft strategic partnership will allow Nook to sell content to customers in many territories and languages around the world through the Windows 8 platform well before they formally launch local stores in other territories. “It removes hurdles to us setting up storefronts,” Horner said. “The Windows […]
Financier Leon Black’s Family Buys Phaidon
Founder of private equity firm Apollo Leon D. Black has acquired Phaidon Press from Richard Schlagman. Black explains in the announcement, “We have greatly admired Phaidon and the important contribution the company has made to art and culture. My family and I look forward to supporting the future growth of the company, including through the ongoing development of its publishing program, further geographic expansion, and the launch of digital products.” Schlagman says in the announcement, “The profile of the ideal buyer in my mind was exceeded in reality by Leon Black and his family. Self-evidently possessed of immense business acumen, […]
Results At Both Canongate and Faber Down In 2011
Two independent UK publishers have reported difficult sales results (following the drop over at Quercus as well). Canongate’s 2011 sales fell 19 percent, to £10.8 million, and pre-tax profit was a meager £300,000, down 70 percent, with an operating loss after taxes. And that margin was boosted by £660,000 from the sale of their 70 percent share in Australia’s Text Publishing. The company blamed “Julian Assange’s failure to deliver the book he had contracted to produce,” without mentioning their decision to publish an unauthorized and ultimately unsuccessful version of his manuscript anyway. Faber and Faber said sales fell 8.4 percent, […]
In Australia, Allen & Unwin Buys Murdoch Books
Australia’s Allen & Unwin has successfully completed those exclusive acquisition talks we reported on recently and agreed to acquire illustrated books publisher Murdoch Books. Chairman and CEO of Murdoch Books Matt Handbury hails the new owners’ promise of continuity in quality publishing: “This is what Allen & Unwin has identified and so enthusiastically pursued in our sale negotiations. I am thrilled that the business will become an integral and wholly owned part of the largest Australian independent publishing house, and the efforts that my team have put into building the Murdoch Books brand will seamlessly continue in its new home.” As […]
Scardino to Step Down at Pearson and International Education Head Fallon Will Take Over; Analysts Speculate On Asset Sales
Marjorie Scardino, 65, “has decided to step down” as chief executive of Pearson at the end of the year. Current head of their international education division John Fallon, 50, will take over on January 1, 2013. The company notes his “division is fundamental to Pearson’s growth strategy,” having grown to £1.4 billion in sales and employing 15,000 people in 70 countries. As education has come to dominate Pearson–and produce solid growth–analysts and investor have often lobbied for the sale of the FT Group and Penguin. Scardino had vowed not to sell the FT, but with the change at top, Ian […]