Businesses

Focus

• Send

Global blockbuster meets multinational corporation

The emergence of a truly worldwide publishing phenomenon is extremely rare. Harry Potter and The Da Vinci Code, for example, made a vivid impression on the public not only due to the staggering number of copies sold but also because of the remarkable way these successes transcended linguistic and cultural barriers. Authors J.K. Rowling and Dan Brown were practically unknown before they burst onto the international publishing scene, an intriguing fact that only added to their appeal and mystique.

The latest phenomenon from out-of-the-blue is Stephenie Meyer, a young mother from Phoenix, Arizona who had never before written a novel until, one day, she decided to commit one of her dreams to paper. The story involves a chaste young girl who falls in love with a vampire who can’t even touch her without risking unthinkable consequences. This metaphor of the conflict between desire and fear, so characteristic of adolescent sexuality, gave rise to the epic Twilight series of novels, the first of which was published by Little, Brown and Company in 2005. Three years and three volumes later, the staggering statistics speak for themselves: 36 million copies sold in the United States, translation into 42 languages, a blockbuster film, fan clubs throughout the world, a profusion of blogs, and bookstores taken by storm on release days. Together, the various volumes held down the first four positions on the Express (French weekly news magazine) bestseller list for several weeks.
Stephenie Meyer is published by Lagardère Publishing in a host of countries, including the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France, Switzerland, Belgium and French-speaking Africa.

Lagardère Publishing on top of the (comics) world!

Hachette Livre acquired a controlling interest in Editions Albert Rene , publisher of the Asterix series

Hachette Livre has bought Albert Uderzo’s 40% shareholding in Editions Albert Rene (held through Syadal) plus the 20% share held by Anne Goscinny, daughter of Rene Goscinny.

Editions Albert Rene, publisher of the Asterix books after Mr Goscinny’s death, also holds all subsidiary rights associated with the characters and works, along with audiovisual rights.

In addition, Hachette Livre has bought the worldwide publishing rights from Ms Goscinny and Mr Uderzo for the 24 Asterix books published during Mr Goscinny’s lifetime, for the full term of their authorial and artistic copyright.