Looking to consolidate all its book publishing projects under one publisher, General Mills has signed a multiyear deal with John Wiley & Sons that gives Wiley the rights to publish cookbooks using General Mills' Pillsbury brand name.
Wiley is already the publisher of General Mills' Betty Crocker cookbook line, while Pillsbury books have been published by Clarkson Potter. General Mills bought Pillsbury in 2001 and has been consolidating Pillsbury's operations. Kim Walter, director of publishing for General Mills, said the company chose to put its book projects all under Wiley because of the "long period of success" the two companies have had in publishing the Betty Crocker cookbooks.
Wiley will release the first four titles in the Pillsbury line in 2005. The books will emphasize fast and convenient meal preparation and cooking and baking with children.
General Mills said that the 15 titles that have been published by Potter will continue to be available from that house. Walter said no decisions have been made on what company will publish revised editions of the Potter books.
