Penguin Random House has announced the completion of its purchase of Spanish-language publisher Santillana Ediciones Generales, the trade book publishing business, from Santillana, the trade book-publishing business majority-owned by PRISA.
The acquisition, first announced in March, brings Santillana into PRH Grupo Editorial, which will continue to operate under this name in Spain, Latin America, and now also Portugal. The headquarters of Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial will remain in Barcelona.
PRH Grupo Editorial CEO Núria Cabutí Brull will lead the newly expanded company, while also continuing in his previous role. Armando Collazos, previously global director of Prisa Ediciones, will become executive advisor to Cabutí, and to the PRH Grupo Editorial management team.
Cabutí also announced the new senior management team for Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial, which "draws upon executives from both sides of the company."
On the corporate level, Miquel Illa will become CFO and distribution director. Marta Grau has been named head of human resources and publishing services, and Carlos Ciria will oversee IT, as well as organization and processes. Carmen Ospina will lead digital strategy and new businesses.
Patxi Beascoa will become PRHGE’s head of sales and marketing for Spain. He also will oversee the company’s operations in Portugal, which will be managed by Clara Capitão.
Javier López Llovet will continue in his post as general director for Argentina and Latin America, reporting to Cabutí. He will be assisted by Augusto di Marco, who will be special sales and export director, and will oversee activities in Peru, which will remain the responsibility of Mercedes Gonzalez Cuenca.
Also reporting directly to Llovet will be the following general directors: Hernan Rosso (Chile); Elena Gómez (Colombia); Luis Sica (Uruguay); and Roberto Banchik (Mexico). Banchik will also oversee PRHGE's activities in the U.S., headed by Silvia Matute, with Santillana's U.S. publishing and sales offices remaining in Miami.
PRH Grupo editorial publishing leadership appointments also were announced. Claudio López Lamadrid will be publisher for the group, and for Literatura Random House. Pilar Reyes has been named publisher for the Alfaguara and Taurus imprints. Núria Tey, publisher for Plaza & Janés, Grijalbo, Conecta, and Rosa dels vents, will also lead the Aguilar and Suma de Letras imprints. Juan Díaz, publisher of Debate, Lumen, Reservoir Books, Debolsillo, and the children's books division, will also be responsible for Punto de Lectura, Alfaguara (children's and young readers books), Altea, and El País Aguilar.
PRH Brazil, Penguin Random House’s Brazilian holding company, will close its previously announced purchase of Santillana’s Brazilian trade publishing business, Objetiva, later in the second half of the year.
NOTE: This story has been updated from its original form to include the corporate and editorial leadership appointments.
