Nion McEvoy, editor-in-chief and associate publisher of Chronicle Books, announced last week that he will acquire the company from the Chronicle Publishing Co. effective January 1, 2000. Terms of the sale were not revealed. McEvoy outbid TCI president and former Chronicle Publishing Co. CFO Leo Hindery for the San Francisco house.
McEvoy, in essence, paid himself for the company. The great grandson of Michael DeYoung, who co-founded the San Francisco Chronicle with his brother Charles in 1865, McEvoy is both a shareholder and director of Chronicle Publishing Co., which earlier this year voted to divest itself of its assets (News, June 21). Following the completion of the deal, Jack Jensen will remain president and publisher of Chronicle Books; it was not clear last week if McEvoy will remain editor-in-chief and associate publisher, a position he has held for 14 years.
Founded in 1968, Chronicle publishes about 300 titles annually in the adult trade, children's and gift areas. It also distributes for Princeton Architectural Press, North-South Books, and innovative Kids. Jensen said that no changes are planned, noting, "I simply have a new boss, and together we will continue the traditions of Chronicle Books, which are to be innovative and new."
