MAIN NEWS HEADLINES
July 5 – July 12, 2006 Edition
Public Square Books
To be Distributed
By Baker & Taylor
NEW YORK, NY/7/2/07– Public Square Books, a New York-based company that specializes in Spanish language graphic novels, has sealed a partnership arrangement with Baker & Taylor, the world’s largest book and entertainment distributor, to distribute PSB’s graphic novels. B&T has also named PSB founder Larry Bennett as its vice president of Spanish Language Markets for B&T.
Bennett succeeds Michael Shapiro in that role, leading to speculation that B&T will acquire Public Square Books, just as it acquired Shapiro’s Libros Sin Fronteras in 2004.
In May 2007, PSB acquired exclusive U.S. distribution rights to Spanish editions of the Sin City series, and in July the tie-in Sin City movie will debut with Bruce Willis, Brittany Murphy, Josh Hartnett and other popular Hispanic American actors. Public Square Books anticipates that the widespread fanfare the movie will receive, plus the long-standing popularity of the series, will create fresh legions of fans among U.S. Spanish speakers.
Since May, Baker & Taylor has been under the new leadership of Arnie Wight who was promoted to president. In announcing the appointment, B&T chairman and CEO Richard Willis said Arnie will work with the senior management team to “make sure we grow and adapt as our business changes. . .”
