The Thomson Corp., which acquired Macmillan Library Reference earlier this month from Penguin for $86 million (Highlights, June 21), will merge the various MLR imprints with that of its Gale Group subsidiary. The imprints that are part of the deal include Charles Scribner's Sons Reference, Macmillan Reference, Thorndike Press, G.K. Hall, Twayne Publishers and Schirmer Books.
Allen Paschal, president of Gale, said the purchase gives Gale the right to use the Macmillan Library Reference name. He told PW that once the deal is completed, which is expected some time in July, Gale will determine what approach to take in a branding campaign regarding the use of the well-known imprints. Although Paschal noted that it was premature to talk about integration plans, he speculated that some of the MLR imprints, which are in a number of different locations, will remain in place.
With the sale of the library units, only Macmillan General Reference and Prentice Hall Direct have yet to be divested by Pearson. , although the sale of the two is expected to occur soon.
