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Compass finds way to Globe

11.06.08 Victoria Arnstein

Compass Maps has been acquired by Globe Pequot, the US company that encompasses UK travel publisher Footprint. The completion of the deal will see founder Derek Dacey step aside, with long-standing employee Linda Flynn taking over as general manager and Andy Riddle, m.d. of Footprint, adding the role of sales director for Compass to his responsibilities.

The deal, for an undisclosed sum, is part of Globe Pequot parent company Morris Communications’ strategic plan to increase its presence in global travel publishing. It bought Footprint last August, marking its return to the UK after selling Cadogan Guides to New Holland that April.

Compass’s PopOut Maps series are currently sold in 30 countries and eight languages. Its 12 staff members will remain based in Winford, North Somerset. Riddle said that he would not rule out further acquisitions, but added that he would be concentrating on developing the Compass brand and building its potential for the time being.

Nielsen BookScan data on Compass Maps’ revenue through the Total Consumer Market shows a plummet in sales over the last four years, with revenue dropping from £1.5m in 2004 to £1.4m in 2005, £0.7m in 2006 and £0.4m in 2007. Sales in the 20 weeks to 17th May 2008 were £88,237, down almost 40% on £144,119 for the same period a year ago.

Compass is currently embroiled in a dispute with GeoCenter International, having taken legal action against the distributor over the design of its foldout maps. Compass claims that the design of the Pocket Maps series, distributed by GeoCenter under the Berlitz brand, infringes copyright of its PopOut maps product. Riddle said that Globe Pequot and Morris were committed to continuing to fight the legal case.

He said that if retailers have any concerns then he would be happy to discuss it with them and added that he was content with the way the lawyers, who have written to retailers asking them to withdraw the Berlitz Pocket maps, have so far conducted the case.

“It is a point of law and the advice of the lawyers is that this is the approach that needs to be taken. Once there is a possibility of copyright infringement then it is appropriate to let stockists of those products know that the action is being taken and to inform them of the potential consequences of continuing to sell that product,” Riddle said.

Globe Pequot travel Victoria Arnstein Global Compass Maps

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