Bertelsmann sells Doubleday Australia

08.07.10 | Catherine Neilan in The Bookseller

Bertelsmann has sold its Australian and New Zealand book and music club Doubleday Australia to A&W Trust. Managing director Andrew Nikas will continue to lead the company together with the local management team.

The acquisition is aimed at giving the business the opportunity to invest in building the membership base, expanding the product range and growing the direct marketing services in home shopping, mail order catalogues, list management, letter-shopping and fulfilment. Doubleday Australia was established in 1961.

Nikas said: "This deal brings certainty to our employees, customers and suppliers. Our team is excited to have secured a viable future for a company with a long and successful history of delivering great entertainment to book, music and movie lovers all over Australia and New Zealand."

Gerd Bührig, executive vice president and board member of DirectGroup Bertelsmann, added: "We are delighted to have secured a sustainable future for Doubleday Australia and wish the new owners and employees in Australia the best of luck and ongoing success."