Cengage Learning has signed a definitive agreement with the National Geographic Society to acquire the organization’s digital and print school publishing unit, which includes the elementary science curriculum National Geographic Science series; four National Geographic Explorer! Magazines; and Hampton Brown’s literacy and language print and digital programs. The deal, expected to close after regulatory approval, also includes greater use of the NGS brand.
Since 2007 Cengage has been NGS’s exclusive international English language teaching partner in the kindergarten through adult educational market and the acquisition gives Cengage the chance to use the NGS brands for products not only in the American K-12 market but in the higher education and library markets as well, said Sean Wakely, executive v-p, academic solutions, arts & sciences, at Cengage. Wakely said the NGS products have done very well in the international markets and prompted Cengage to explore with NGS how the two could better align their interests in the U.S. market. “We see lots of new possibilities in the higher education and library markets, Wakely said.
With the signing of the agreement Cengage has begun discussions with NGS school group employees but no decisions about how the unit will fit with Cengage will be made until after the acquisition is completed.
“Cengage Learning has been an extraordinary partner to date, and we are delighted to expand our relationship, making Cengage our premier partner in education.” said John Fahey, chairman CEO, National Geographic Society. “Cengage Learning’s scale, educational publishing expertise, and existing relationships within the international and domestic markets, particularly in the higher education space, enables us to expand the reach and impact of the Society’s mission to inspire people to care about our planet.”
