PRH India to distribute Independent Publishers Group

Founded in 1971, IPG was the first organisation specifically created for the purpose of marketing titles from independent presses to the book trade. Today, IPG’s wide reach into the book market includes the distribution of both print and eBooks from a wide array of publishers, digital printing and traditional publishing. IPG was acquired by Chicago Review Press in 1987, and this acquisition formed the parent company Chicago Review Press, which now owns Chicago-based indie publishers Chicago Review Press and Triumph Books.

Some of the independent presses that are a part of IPG are Cornell Publishing, nbm Graphic Novels, Project Management Institute, and university presses like Auckland, Canterbury and Victoria.

Joe Matthews, CEO of IPG, said, “This partnership with Penguin Random House India is very exciting for our company and aligns with our continued expansion and global reach.”

“The team at PRHI will enable us to provide our publishers access to all channels within India utilizing their market intelligence and knowledge,’ added Scott Hatfill, director of international sales for IPG. ‘We are extremely pleased to be working with PRHI and to announce such a key partnership during these unprecedented times.”

Additionally, PRHI also entered into a new agreement, effective 1 October 2020 onwards, with IPG’s Trafalgar Square Publishing. Under this contract, Trafalgar Square Publishing will manage the sale and distribution of all the titles of PRH India and Penguin SEA that enjoy world rights in the US and its territories, Canada, the UK and the European Union.

Trafalgar Square Publishing was founded in 1973 and in the fall of 2006, Chicago Review Press bought Trafalgar Square Publishing, making it the leading US distributor of UK and Australian publishers.

Brooke O’Donnell, managing director of Trafalgar Square Publishing, said, “TSP is thrilled to be working with Penguin Random House India and South East Asia to make their books available to readers in North America, the UK, and Europe. We feel privileged to be adding these two new divisions to our prestigious portfolio of Penguin Random House publishers we already represent, including Penguin Random House UK, Australia, New Zealand, and China.”

Gaurav Shrinagesh, CEO, Penguin Random House India and SEA, said, “Partnering with one of the largest book distributors in the world will open up the Indian subcontinent market to a wide array of books and writings. Our partnership with IPG ties in well with our aim to ensure our readers have a great range and quality of written work to choose from. Simultaneously, our arrangement with Trafalgar Square Publishing will widen the readership of our titles originating from the India and SEA markets. We have published remarkable books and they will be a valuable addition to any book lovers’ reading lists. These partnerships present the opportunity for books to transcend borders, and for us to explore new sales channels, understand new markets and gain valuable insights about consumers.”