It's Official Today: Random House and Penguin Group Have Merged...

“Today, Penguin and Random House officially unite to create the first truly global trade book publishing company. As separate companies, we have long performed outstandingly by every benchmark; as colleagues, we will share and apply our passion for publishing the best books with our enormous experience, creativity, and entrepreneurial drive. Together, we will give our authors unprecedented resources to help them reach global audiences—and we will provide readers with unparalleled diversity and choice for future reading. Connecting authors and readers is, and will be, at the heart of all we strive to accomplish together.”  ~ CEO Markus Dohle http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/press-release/ceo-markus-dohle-announces-penguin-random-house-global-leadership-team

Random House and Penguin Merger Approved in Canada

The merger between Random House and Penguin has been approved in Canada by the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Competition Bureau. The merger, which is expected to be in effect this summer, was announced last fall and has been granted approval in the U.S., Australia and New Zealand.

Penguin Canada provided a press release which stated that upon completion of the merger, Beterlsmann (owner of Random House) will own 53 per cent and Pearson (of Penguin) will own 47 percent of what will be theretofore be known as Penguin Random House, encompassing both companies' publishing assets in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, India and South Africa, China (formerly Penguin's) and Spain and Latin America (formerly Random House).  

“Pearson and Bertelsmann believe that the combined organisation, the world’s leading consumer publishing company, will have a stronger platform and greater resources to invest in rich content, new digital publishing models and high-growth emerging markets,” the release states.

Will other publishers be following suit?