Abrams & Chronicle Books Announcement

Abrams & Chronicle Books announce sales, marketing and distribution joint venture to serve the United Kingdom and Europe export markets.

London, United Kingdom (June 22nd) – Internationally acclaimed independent publishers, Chronicle Books, based in San Francisco, and Abrams, based in New York, announce a new partnership in the United Kingdom and European export markets effective July 1, 2010.

The existing Abrams UK sales and marketing team—in place since 2004—will expand to accommodate the Chronicle lists. Based in London, the joint venture called Abrams & Chronicle Books is headed by Managing Director Chuck Lang, and will include a staff of 11 sales and marketing professionals charged with building closer relationships with key accounts and developing new sales channels and opportunities for the Chronicle and Abrams lists. The company will also continue to provide distribution services to a select group of U.S. and International publishers and actively seek out new complementary lists. Books will begin shipping under the new company beginning July 1, 2010 from the current UK warehouse, GBS.

“Over the last decade we have experienced consistent sales growth and increased market penetration in both the U.K. and Europe,” says Jack Jensen, President, Chronicle Books. “Our partnership will provide the opportunity to enhance the highly skilled Abrams sales and marketing team, and the combined lists will allow us to bring an inspired, market driven publishing program to these most important market channels.”

“As two distinctive and highly respected publishers of illustrated books, we’re excited to combine our influence and expertise in the U.K. and Europe,” says Michael Jacobs, President and CEO, Abrams. “Together we have a comprehensive range of both adult and children’s books, gifts and stationery to offer to all types of retailer partners, from bookstores and museum shops to gift and specialty accounts. Additionally, the partnership between our two companies—and the complementary skills and affinities of our programs and people —is a natural fit and one we’ve been looking to capitalize upon for years.”

The in-house sales team will manage all U.K. national accounts and the London territory, with extensive regional U.K. sales coverage by Publishers Group U.K. and commission reps. Sales and distribution throughout Europe, where the new venture sees substantial opportunity for growth, will be overseen out of the London office by newly appointed International Sales Director, David Gooding and a team of eight export sales representatives. In addition, all U.K. and international press and marketing will be managed by the in-house London staff.

About Abrams
Founded by Harry N. Abrams in 1949, ABRAMS was the first company in the United States to specialize in the creation and distribution of art and illustrated books. Now a subsidiary of La Martinière Groupe, the company publishes visually stunning illustrated books in the areas of art, photography, cooking, interior and garden design, craft, architecture, entertainment, fashion, sports, pop culture, as well as children’s books and general interest titles. The company’s imprints include Abrams, Abrams ComicArts, Abrams Image, Abrams Books for Young Readers, and Amulet Books. Abrams also distributes books for The Vendome Press, Victoria & Albert Museum, Tate, Royal Academy of Arts, Booth-Clibborn Editions, Five Continents and others in North America.
For more information about Abrams Books, www.abramsbooks.co.uk
About Chronicle Books
One of the most admired and respected publishing companies in the U.S., Chronicle Books was founded in 1967 and over the years has developed a reputation for award-winning, innovative books. Recognized as one of the 50 best small companies to work for in the U.S. (and the only independent publisher to receive this award), the company continues to challenge conventional publishing wisdom, setting trends in both subject and format, maintaining a list that includes illustrated titles in design, art, architecture, photography, food, lifestyle and pop culture, much admired books for children, and stylish, original gift products such as stationery, decks, and kits. Chronicle Books’ objective is to create and distribute exceptional publishing that’s instantly recognizable for its spirit, creativity, and value.
For more information about Chronicle Books, visit www.chroniclebooks.com