S&S Buys Howard Publishing
by Jim Milliot, PW Daily -- Publishers Weekly, 2/13/2006
In a deal that will substantially increase its presence in the conservative Evangelical market, Simon & Schuster has acquired Howard Publishing for an undisclosed price. Based in West Monroe, La., Howard is best known for its Hugs series of inspirational works, and also publishes titles on Christian living, gift books, devotionals and children's books.
Howard will remain in West Monroe under the direction of John Howard, who will be executive v-p and Howard publisher. He will report to Carolyn Reidy, president of S&S's adult publishing division. S&S will consolidate Howard's warehousing and distribution functions, but Howard's sales force will remain intact as will its contracts with independent sales forces. Both Howard and S&S see ample opportunity for selling each other's titles in their own markets. "There is plenty of cross over potential," said Greg Petree, Howard v-p of marketing.
Howard publishes about 45 titles annually and has a 350-title backlist. Petree said that with the backing of S&S it has "aggressive" growth plans, although it has no immediate plans to up its yearly title output.
The Howard purchase also puts S&S in line to be the publisher of The Purpose-Driven Life author Rick Warren. Howard has Warren and co-author John Baker under contract for a title that had been named Healing Choices. After announcing plans to release the title in summer 2004, Howard postponed the book indefinitely. No new pub date has been set, but Petree, who said Warren has been informed of the S&S deal, said Howard still plans to publish the book at some point. "We'll be patient and be good stewards of the contract," he said.|
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