HarperCollins' parent company News Corp has completed its acquisition of Harlequin Enterprises for C$455 million in cash from Torstar Corporation. Harlequin, best known as a publisher of women's fiction, will now operate as a division of HarperCollins.
Harlequin CEO and publisher Craig Swinwood will continue to oversee the operations of the publisher. He will report to HarperCollins CEO Brian Murray. Harlequin will operate as a standalone subsidiary of HarperCollins and will maintain its headquarters and offices in Toronto.
The deal will expand HarperCollins’ global publishing reach—Harlequin has offices in 17 countries and releases books in 33 languages—while also adding Harlequin’s deep expertise in digital publishing to the HarperCollins platform.
Robert Thomson, chief executive of News Corp, said, “We are pleased to formally welcome Harlequin and its employees to the new News. The addition of such an iconic brand with a loyal audience, robust global expertise and digital depth is a proud and purposeful moment for our company. Onward to the next chapter.”
HarperCollins CEO Brian Murray, added, “We are happy to welcome Harlequin staff and authors into the HarperCollins family and excited to work together to expand the breadth of our publishing activities into more than 30 languages.”
