The deal has finally closed, and Lagadere is officially the owner of the assets formerly belonging to the Time Warner Book Group. In the US, the name’s changed to Hachette Book Group USA; in the UK, the division will be known as the Little, Brown Book Group.
The company notes “further details with regard to logos and any changes to publishing imprint names will be given by the companies themselves in due course.” And even though Time Warner agreed to a 90 day grace period, the Bookseller indicates that the name changes are effective immediately.
Hachette Livre chairman and CEO Arnaud Nourry said: “I am delighted that we have been able to fulfil our indication to Time Warner of keeping to an exceptionally rapid timetable. This will enable our publishers in all locations to continue their excellent work from a position of certainty, and with the full support of the Hachette Livre and Lagardere groups.”
So now, the fun starts: what will Warner Books, Warner Forever and Jonathan Karp’s imprint be renamed? Chime in with suitable (or not so suitable) suggestions!