Thomson Reuters announced Tuesday a deal to form a joint venture with private equity firm KKR, which will pay approximately $500 million for a 51 percent stake in Thomson’s Global Print business. That business comprises Thomson’s legal and tax information books, sold in print and through their ProView platform, as well as the company’s book printing division. Thomson Reuters will retain “full editorial control over its content portfolio.” The joint venture will “hold an exclusive license to distribute the content in print and on ProView, Global Print’s eBook platform.” Thomson Reuters stock has suffered this year, as investors fear AI […]
M&A
Storytel Acquires Overamstel
Storytel has acquired Overamstel, based in The Netherlands and Belgium, which they call “one of the company’s core markets.” Founded in 2007, Overamstel had sales of €17.4 million in 2025. Current ceo Martijn Griffioen will continue in his role following the acquisition. Though Storytel’s core business is audio publishing, their book publishing division had record sales for 2025 of SEK1.274 billion, or approximately $130 million.
Hachette UK Acquires Kogan Page
Hachette UK acquired business book publisher Kogan Page, as of April 30. Founded in 1967, Kogan Page has a backlist of over 1,200 titles covering business, management, marketing, human resources, and professional development. The announcement notes that, “Kogan Page complements Hachette UK’s existing strengths and aligns with the longer-term strategy to diversify into specialist areas.” Kogan Page will operate as part of the John Murray Group where it will be maintained as a “distinct publishing brand within the division.” Founder Philip Kogan died in late 2022. In an obituary, the Guardian noted, “Independent of mind and spirit, he was determined […]
Literati Sold to Trustbridge Partners
Austin, Texas based Literati has been acquired by Trustbridge Partners, and plans to use the new support to “increase its reach into schools and to provide a wealth of quality reading material combined with new fundraising solutions.” Founded in 2016 to provide monthly subscription services for children’s books, Literati expanded in 2022 when they acquired Follett School Solutions’ struggling school book fair business. In the announcement, Literati says their book fairs have “nearly $40 million in revenue” and reach 2.5 million students. Terms of the sale were not disclosed, but Literati is reported to have raised at least $52 million […]
Callaway Attorney Says Company is Looking For a Buyer
At a bankruptcy court hearing on Wednesday, Nicholas Callaway continued to blame other people for his business failure, especially the one entity that was willing to loan him money. Bloomberg reports, “Getting loans from banks or other traditional lenders after the pandemic was difficult, Callaway said. The publisher borrowed $2 million from a foundation, but the loan included onerous terms that contributed to the bankruptcy filing, including a $1 million premium and penalties, he said.” The most recent court filings show a secured lien from the Hoffen Family Foundation, for $1.034 million. Callaway’s current attorney (multiple former attorneys are creditors) […]
World Almanac Sold
The Weekly Reader Publishing Group, a division of Readers Digest since 2007, has sold the World Almanac imprint to Infobase Publishing, for undisclosed terms. Infobase president Mark McDonnell says in the announcement, “There are few names in reference publishing as well-known as the World Almanac, so when we had opportunity to add it to our existing family of imprints, we moved quickly. The World Almanac has been and will continue to be a powerful name in reference publishing, and we are excited about bringing it forward as an online resource as well.” Infobase’s imprints include Facts On File and Chelsea […]