The Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, has acquired Compendium, the publisher of illustrated books, journals, and notecards. At Crown, Compendium will become a standalone imprint under Ten Speed Press. “Compendium will retain its distinct editorial identity and continue to lead the creation and promotion of its portfolio, which includes more than forty new products set to publish in 2025,” per a release. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Compendium CEO and president Kobi Yamada will retain his president role at the imprint, and Aaron Wehner, EVP and publisher of Clarkson Potter and Ten Speed Press, will add the role of publisher of Compendium to his purview. Jim Darragh has been tapped as senior VP of finance and operations, and Renee Holmes, previously chief marketing officer of Compendium, has been named associate deputy publisher.
“Amazing things can happen with big dreams, lots of love, and years of dedication and hard work,” said Yamada in a statement. “We can’t wait to see what inspiring possibilities we can imagine and create with the support and resources of the world’s most iconic publisher.”
David Drake, president of the Crown Publishing Group, added: “The spirit of creativity, wonder, and innovation that guides Compendium’s approach to publishing is nothing short of inspiring. We’re honored that Kobi and his team will now be joining the Crown Publishing Group to bring their distinctive program to an even wider audience. Compendium and Ten Speed Press, in particular, share an ethos and aesthetic that complement one another brilliantly, and this partnership will open up many new and exciting creative possibilities.”
Under Drake, Crown has expanded consistently over the past two years since it was spun off from the Random House Publishing Group last February after being folded into the RH group in 2017. Last year, it launched a new imprint, Ten Speed Graphic, and relaunched Andy Cohen Books, and this year, Ten Speed expanded its children’s publishing program.
The move also comes as part of a buying spree at PRH that began when the Big Five publisher's deal to buy Simon & Schuster fell through. PRH bought Boom! Studios earlier this year, completed the purchase of Hay House late last December, and last month purchased the assets of Amber-Allen Publishing.
