Star Struck

Rizzoli International Publications Inc. is adding a new star to its firmament of illustrated book publishing clients Flammarion, Skira and Villegas: 10-year-old Italy-based White Star Publishers. Although it has a backlist of 300 titles, this will be White Star's first attempt to establish itself in the U.S. under its own name. Previously, its books have appeared as co-editions. "It's a perfect fit for us and a perfect platform for them," Jennifer Pierson, Rizzoli v-p, sales and marketing, told PW. "It's a logical next step as White Star seeks to brand itself in the U.S. market." White Star's first U.S. list of 17 books includes National Geographic photographer Michael Yamashita's re-creation of Marco Polo's travels, Marco Polo: A Photographer's Journey (Oct.) and two additions to the Cubebook series of chunky photography books, Baby Animals and The Earth (both Oct.). The series launched last year with The Sea, which sold more than 300,000 copies worldwide. Rizzoli books are distributed in the U.S. by St. Martin's Press.