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APRIL 10, 2006 at 11:12 PM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: Guardian Unlimited via Yahoo! News
The success of Harry Potter has made British publisher Bloomsbury the most cash-rich in its industry, writes The Guardian's Matt Seaton in an in-depth company analysis
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With more than £50 million in its Gringott's vault, Bloomsbury is spending heavily to nab high-profile books from under the noses of competitors, in an effort to ensure that Potter's demise isn't also the end of their golden years:
The fact that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the latest and sixth in the series, is also the penultimate cannot have escaped the attention of Bloomsbury's shareholders. Newton talks about sustaining the franchise with "launches" of Harry Potter products (audiobooks, cloth-bound boxed sets, and so on) until 2011, but the truth is that after the final volume of JK Rowling's series appears, probably in 2007 and then in paperback in 2008, the company has just three more years of mega-bucks revenues.
Company executives are confident they can continue to deliver big returns to stockholders, post-Potter. Founding editor Liz Calder said "the heart and soul" of the publisher will continue to be driven by mass-interest novels, both fiction and non-fiction, but its new strategy will be: "big names, big money."
"We have made a number of big purchases in the last six months," said Nigel Newton, Bloomsbury's chairman. "We're in a position to do so."
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226-250 251-269
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1647
Hermione's younger sister says:
Wow, that is a lot of money!!! I wish I had that much money. Harry Potter is definately one of the best movies ever made!
Posted Apr 11, 2006 at 7:13 PM EST
Witch
Points: 700
Phoenixfeather3 says:
I understand why they would sell other Potter products till 2011 but I don't think that they should have started now that it is more popular. They shouldn't rely on the Harry Potter books alone. They should try other books that are or will become more popular.
Posted Apr 11, 2006 at 7:15 PM EST
Witch
Points: 614
padfootblack15 says:
I liked the alliteration in the title.
well, I think that they will still make tons off merchandise and people will still be buying copies of the books. Werent gold leather copies coming out somewhere.
Hmmm, hopefully they wont push back the release date, that would suck.
Posted Apr 11, 2006 at 7:15 PM EST
rockstar
Points: 2857
Harry_J Potter says:
Awesome title! ha, Thats really sad thinking about the last book... But I do think that they will be able to keep the train going for a few years 2011 and maybe further! Heh
Posted Apr 11, 2006 at 7:42 PM EST
Prof. Alfred W. Mandoore
Points: 2445
JAYSTARR says:
Not to worry there will be other writers to publish a great book under bloomsburys' care that will be a great hit...
Posted Apr 11, 2006 at 7:43 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2079
kermittounette says:
I'm not sure if they'll buy some Harry Potter books after that date, but I think that another house edition will take it if they are stopping... but we never know what happen in the future.
Posted Apr 11, 2006 at 8:07 PM EST
Friendly Deaf Angel
Points: 5155
Friendly Deaf Angel says:
That is realy bad when it hits 2011 their will be no More HP books that is just sad.
Posted Apr 11, 2006 at 8:21 PM EST
Witch
Points: 983
Weasleyismyking!/R/Hrfrv says:
I think Harry's book will be selling for a loooong time and I don't think they'll have a problem in selling HP stuff I mena they'll probably do a box set with the 7 books.I'm personally going to introduce my children (when I have them) to Harry and after that my HP books are going with me to the grave!
Posted Apr 11, 2006 at 8:37 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3239
Tenshi says:
Wow, is that all they can think about? Money? I wonder if they are trying to spread teh joy of HP or just get the money?
Posted Apr 11, 2006 at 8:56 PM EST
Witch
Points: 605
berries&cream says:
Great! I mean HP rocks!! who WOULDn't buy the books!
Posted Apr 11, 2006 at 9:08 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 406
GinnyPotter6 says:
I can not believe that they use Harry Potter in that way!!!
I mean... why???
But well... =)! i still LOVE harry potter and they are the ones that bring it to me so...! I'm happy for that!!!
Posted Apr 11, 2006 at 9:16 PM EST
Witch
Points: 646
~!*Gryffindor Rules*!~ says:
It will be very depressing if they stop selling Harry POtter books in 2011! Thats the year my bro garduates! (Tear, tear)!
Posted Apr 11, 2006 at 9:20 PM EST
Prof. of Cultural Literacy
Points: 4464
PowerGranger says:
Hummmmm...I really hadn't thought about what Bloomsbury will do (or Scholastic, I guess) after the Potter-train leaves the station, so to speak. This actually worries me a bit, as I pray they don't start letting other authors continue the series ("The Amazing Adventures of Neville Longbottom!"), just to try to milk it a bit longer. I'm sure that wouldn't even bring in the big bucks, anyway. I know I'd never buy anything purporting to be Potter-related if it weren't written by JKR.
Posted Apr 11, 2006 at 9:24 PM EST
Witch
Points: 529
HPotters_Girl says:
I cant wait till book 7, But it will be sad when all of the Harry potter books are dun!
Posted Apr 11, 2006 at 10:33 PM EST
Harry's Mental Advisor
Points: 19432
Smileyradcliffe says:
No more Harry Potter after 2011. That is nuts and I think they need to rethink that. I will be happy and sad when the final book comes out. The story according to most sources that will be the end. There will be no more anticipation. I just hope that it all ends well.
Posted Apr 11, 2006 at 11:16 PM EST
Hogwarts Psychologist
Points: 4236
Patronus Wiz says:
Wow, I'm impressed. They are being quite proactive and forward thinking preparing for the big downfall after Harry Potter. Except, Jo might publish more books about harry potter, if not harry potter books themselves :) he he he wishful thinking.
Posted Apr 11, 2006 at 11:38 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 38
i<3rupert!! says:
I can't believe we only have one more book!!! thats so sad!!! I'm going to cry when the last movie comes out because that will be the end of Harry potter!!! **tear** oh my goodness that sucks!!
Posted Apr 11, 2006 at 11:40 PM EST
Witch
Points: 657
krissiebear says:
They can share their cash with me. I will gladly accept it.
I think that the Potter books are always going to be popular, no matter what generation it is that they are appearing in. Bloomsbury will never go broke.
Posted Apr 11, 2006 at 11:50 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 476
MRS_BRENDON_URIE says:
really thatsd not good they wont stop sending it after 20011 will they? I hope not.
Posted Apr 12, 2006 at 3:51 AM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4393
ILoveHP! says:
After Harry Potter - I am afraid to say that Bloomsbury'll have a hard time looking for another billion-earning book series...
Posted Apr 12, 2006 at 4:47 AM EST
Witch
Points: 808
Hogwarts babe says:
Well, they would be doommed without Harry Potter then, i think the books will carry on selling for many more years but i don't think they will find anything as successful!
Posted Apr 12, 2006 at 6:38 AM EST
The Bulgarian Seeker
Points: 9809
~KrUmS_gUrL~ says:
I have to agree with what someone had said " It just goes to show, these large companies want all of the pie once theyve had a taste...but what can you do? Its such a shame that weve come down to the last book.
Posted Apr 12, 2006 at 6:46 AM EST
True Weasley
Points: 5528
~GinnyWeasley~ says:
I wish the books never had to stop!! haha
Posted Apr 12, 2006 at 8:41 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 366
HP&StarW says:
Well, I trust the publisher's judgement, and they haven't let us down yet! They'll make the final Harry Potter book spectacular...I know they will!
What are we all going to do once we finish the 7th book? We'll know the mystery and everything behind the famous Harry Potter....I guess we'll just do what we've been doing and read the whole series again, and again, and again! The adventure will never die, and will so continue!!
Posted Apr 12, 2006 at 8:48 AM EST
The Slytherin Slayer
Points: 9551
Mr. Big Shot says:
Hmm, interesting . . . stop selling HP after 2011 . . . that makes sense, cause then if someone wanted the books then they'd have to pay to ship them out, that way they wouldn't lose money off of the engagement
Posted Apr 12, 2006 at 9:34 AM EST
Squib
Points: 196
DameDesDenkariums says:
They will end to sell HP books in 2011?
Ahem, but why?????? How strange!
If the books become classics they should take care of the copyright instead.
Posted Apr 12, 2006 at 10:03 AM EST
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