Hachette Livre sells its stake in Harlequin France to HarperCollins

« This English translation is for the convenience of English speaking readers. Only the french version has been released as a press release »

Hachette Livre, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lagardère, has signed a binding agreement to sell its 50% stake in Harlequin France to HarperCollins, who already owns the other 50%. As a result of the transaction, HarperCollins will therefore own 100% of Harlequin France, which will become HarperCollins France with an expanded publishing list.

As per a multi-year contract, Hachette Livre will be the sales and distribution partner of HarperCollins France.
Arnaud Nourry, Chairman and CEO of Hachette Livre, said: “Being a 50% shareholder of Harlequin France has been a blessing for over thirty years. Our involvement, far from coming to an end, will continue on a different basis. We have faith in their team’s ability to successfully rise to this new challenge and are delighted to have seized the opportunity to secure our relationship by supplying a first rate sales and distribution service to HarperCollins France for the long term.”

“Hachette has been a fabulous partner in France for many years and we look forward to a great ongoing partnership for distribution and sales as we move forward with an expanded list for HarperCollins France”, said Brian Murray, President and CEO of HarperCollins Publishers.