You are viewing your 1 free article this month. Login to read more articles.
Constable & Robinson has joined the Independent Alliance, the coalition of independent publishers in the UK.
The move will change how C&R handles its sales, with UK regional representation of C&R titles outside London moving to the Alliance rep force from 1st September 2013.
Overseas representation of C&R titles will move to the Faber export sales team from 1st January next year, while key accounts' sales and inner London accounts will remain with C&R's in-house team.
C&R group sales director Martin Palmer said: "C&R has exciting and significant growth plans for the next five years. We want to be able to work with independent booksellers more effectively, something that no-one does better than the Alliance. We also see real value in a joined-up global approach to sales and marketing representation overseas."
Pete Duncan, m.d., added: "This strategic re-shaping of our sales representation and partnerships is an important step in delivering C&R’s longterm plans. Above all, though, we hugely admire the Alliance, its members and the values we all share."
The Independent Alliance was founded in 2005, with Faber, Atlantic, Canongate, Icon Books, Portobello Books, Profile and Short Books. They were follwed by Serpent's Tail, part of Profile, and Granta, as well as Quercus, which has since taken its sales operations in-house again. Faber provides the sales force and administrative team, while distribution is handled by The Book Service.
Will Atkinson, sales and marketing director at Faber said: "C&R are a natural member of the Alliance. We all admire their recent achievements and longstanding pedigree. Their addition will add significantly to the publishing know-how and expertise of the group. We could not be more delighted.”
Andrew Franklin, c.e.o. and publisher of Profile Books adds: “We are all delighted that C&R are joining the Alliance. The surprise isn’t that they are coming in to the fold, but that it didn’t happen eons ago.”