HarperCollins plans to increase its presence in the Indian market under a new joint venture agreement signed with the India Today Group, a leading Indian media company. The deal replaces an arrangement HC had in place since 1991 with the distributor Rupa, which distributed some HC titles in the country. Rupa will continue to act as a distributor, but the agreement with India Today will allow HC to do much more original publishing as well as increase the number of titles it distributes, explained David Steinberger, president of corporate strategy and international for HC. "This is a multifaceted agreement that gives our Indian operation a clear focus," Steinberger said. "We think the market has great potential."
Books published by various HC subsidiaries around the world will now be distributed in India under the HarperCollins India umbrella, and the program will begin with the publication of The Carpet Wars, a title that originated with HC Australia and is now being published worldwide by the company. Steinberger was not sure how long it will take before HC India is running at full speed but he estimated that HC India will publish "less than 100 titles," but will distribute "well over 100 titles."
