Reassured by European Commission approval of the 50/50 joint venture between the international Random House group and Italy's Mondadori, the new company, Grupo Editorial Random House Mondadori (News, July 23), has taken its first step toward expansion by acquiring Barcelona's children's imprint Beascoa, one of the Spanish world's market leaders in the sector. The family-owned Ediciones Beascoa publishes 260 new titles annually and is a major exporter. Founded 25 years ago, the imprint has held the Disney children's book license for Spain and for several other Spanish-speaking markets, as well as licenses for Fisher-Price and other global brands.
The new acquisition will continue to operate with its present family directors and staff, who will report to Juan Pascual, CEO of Spain's Plaza y Janes group, and internationally to Riccardo Cavallero, CEO of Grupo Editorial Random House Mondadori.
