Abrams has acquired Cameron + Company, Petaluma, Calif., the family-owned publisher known for publishing high-quality books with a focus on photography, art, food and wine, children's books and topics of regional interest. Its imprints include Cameron Books, Cameron Kids, and Cameron Studio, the book packaging and design division. It publishes 25-30 titles a year.
Cameron + Company will operate as a separate division of Abrams, and Chris Gruener, v-p & publisher of Cameron + Company, will report to Abrams president and CEO Michael Jacobs. Nina Gruener, publishing director of Cameron Kids, Iain Morris, creative director of Cameron + Company, and the current staff will continue to work from California.
Abrams will handle all aspects of sales, distribution, production, foreign rights, human resources, IT and business operations for Cameron + Company. Abrams & Chronicle Books, London, will take on the U.K. market and European export sales, along with Thames and Hudson Australia, which currently distributes Abrams in Australia and New Zealand.
Chris Gruener commented: "We have long admired the publishing program and reputation of Abrams and have enjoyed our strategic collaboration as a distribution client. To now become a part of the Abrams family is an honor for all of us here at Cameron + Company. We are very excited to expand our list and continue the legacy that Nina's grandfather, Robert Cameron, began 56 years ago in San Francisco when he started Cameron + Company."
Michael Jacobs added: "Abrams and Cameron + Company share a love and passion for publishing beautiful, well-curated, and well-made books for both adults and children. This acquisition is a natural next step between our companies. We have been working together successfully for the past few years as the distributor of Cameron + Company in North America and are thrilled to welcome the terrific people at Cameron + Company and the opportunity to help them grow. The acquisition gives Abrams a new West Coast perspective that is exciting for us as well."