Eoin Purcell

The Irish Times signs deal with Collins
Read this evening that our national quality daily signed a multi book agreement with Collins (as in HarperCollins):

Collins has signed a deal with the daily newspaper the Irish Times to publish a series of specially branded books. The publisher will release around four titles per year in areas like sport, quiz books and history. The first title in the venture will be released in September when Collins publishes the Irish Times Universal Atlas of the World. The hardback atlas will retail for £50. It will be presented in a gift slipcase and will contain special Irish content.

I think this is a big deal. I may not seem like it, but it is. The reason why it’s a big deal is that it is yet another example of the complete and total penetration of the Irish market and culture by foreign controlled publishers. I’m not oppossed to competition, in fact, I welcome it, but it is this type of market dominance that makes my job harder as every day goes by.

Slightly depressed,
Eoin