Contact:
Tara Powers, (616) 233-0500
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., February 12, 2007 – Zondervan, a world leader in Christian communications, today announced the sale of its Portuguese-language publishing division, Editora Vida Ltda., to an affiliate of Argentina-based Christian publisher, Producciones Peniel SRL. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Under the agreement, Peniel, which has been a distribution partner of Zondervan’s since 2000, will acquire distribution and publishing rights to all products of Editora Vida. In addition, Zondervan will continue to license products to Peniel, leveraging Editora Vida’s international sales force to bring a wide range of products to retailers and distributors throughout Brazil.
“The sale of Editora Vida to our long-term partner gives us uninterrupted reach into the Portuguese-speaking market, while allowing us to remain focused on our core business,” said Doug Lockhart, President and CEO of Zondervan. “Peniel currently offers a diverse selection of quality Christian products aimed at reaching people for Christ, and we are confident that Editora Vida will continue to thrive under their ownership and leadership.”
Zondervan said it will retain Vida Publishers, its Spanish-language division based in Miami, and continue to publish Spanish-language publications for worldwide distribution.
“We have been blessed with a positive partnership with Zondervan for several years and are excited to now carry on the great work of Vida Brazil,” said Omar Daldi, President of Peniel. “Our commitment is to continue to serve the need for quality Christian products for the Portuguese-speaking community in the excellent manner that Zondervan did for so many years.”
Zondervan, a
HarperCollins company, is a world leader in Christian communications and the leading Christian publishing brand. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general and academic resources by influential leaders and emerging voices, and been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with offices in San Diego and Miami, Zondervan conducts events and publishes its bestselling
Bibles,
books,
audio,
video,
curriculum,
software, and
digital products through its
Zondervan,
eZondervan,
Zonderkidz,
Youth Specialties,
Editorial Vida, and
National Pastors Convention brands. Zondervan resources are sold worldwide through retail stores, online, and by
Zondervan ChurchSource, and are translated into nearly 200 languages in more than 60 countries. Visit Zondervan on the Internet at
www.zondervan.com (mobile site:
zvan.mobi).
Editorial Vida, a
Zondervan company, is a leader in Hispanic Christian communications. Since 1946 it has published Spanish Bibles, study and Christian living books, devotionals, and other resources to reach people for Christ and help them grow in their faith. Vida maintains the largest catalog of
Bibles,
books,
music, and
video resources, serving such markets as the U.S., Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Spain. Vida holds the exclusive distribution rights of the
NVI (Nueva Versión Internacional) -- New International Version in Spanish -- Bible translation. Vida is the winner of several of the most important awards in the industry, including Publisher of the Year and Book of the Year. Its offices are located in Miami, Fl., and Grand Rapids, Mich. Visit Editorial Vida on the Internet at
www.EditorialVida.com.