With the addition of both a gift line and a children’s book imprint to its already diverse publishing program, the Quarto Group will have a strong presence at BEA as one of the leading illustrated book publishers and distribution groups in the world.
“There’s a huge amount of energy across Quarto,” says Marcus Leaver, CEO since 2012, “which is unified and poised for growth from its 38-year-old brand heritage, making and selling great illustrated books and gifts.” Formerly known as Quayside, the business has rebranded with the Quarto name as the umbrella over the company’s publishing operations. It now encompasses Cool Springs Press, Creative Publishing International, Fair Winds Press, Motorbooks, Quarry Books, Quiver, Race Point Publishing, Rockport Publishers, Voyageur Press, Walter Foster Publishing, and Zenith, as well as multiple imprints. “This year has been transformative for Quarto Publishing Group USA,” says Ken Fund, CEO and president of the Quayside Publishing Group. “In addition to the continual expansion of our book program for enthusiasts, we’re growing our distribution arm even further into specialty markets we’ve excelled at for so long.” This includes a new distribution model Quarto has developed with Lowe’s, Tractor Supply, and other specialty retailers.
“We have transformed our marketing organization from one that focused on publicity and advertising to support traditional retail to one that reaches customers directly to cultivate discovery of our books,” says vice-president of marketing Amy Yodanis. “As our customers gather across image-rich social media and at consumer shows for inspiration, they now find our titles. In the case of our Motorbooks imprint, we’re driving the books directly to enthusiasts in our converted bookmobile.”
The new Rock Point Gift and Stationery imprint includes journals, kits, calendars, cards, and stationery, and launched this year with 100 products. The program’s slogan is Innovative Gifts for Stylish, Passionate, and Creative Lives, and “will appeal to inventive and creative enthusiasts across a range of subject areas,” Yodanis says. Walter Foster Jr. is the name of Quarto’s inaugural children’s imprint, and it plans to roll out 20 titles in its first year, including, illustrated books about topics ranging from arts and crafts to gardening, trucks, and automobiles.
“BEA is a great opportunity to feature our two new imprints,” Fund adds. “We are also looking forward to meeting our broad range of distribution clients that we partner with through QDS, our distribution service, and also meeting with our many retail partners.”
