Marking a significant development in the calendar industry, Flame Tree Publishing is to distribute the Andrews McMeel Publishing’s (AMP) collection of 200+ calendar and diaries in the UK and Ireland. The deal also includes calendars published under the Universe Publishing and Abrams brands.
The agreement, which covers AMP’s 2022 dated products, came about as a result of BrownTrout UK, the long serving distributor of Andrews McMeel, deciding to cease trading. (https://www.pgbuzz.net/calendar-company-browntrout-uk-is-to-cease-trading-after-21-years/)
Frances Bodiam, managing director and co-owner of Flame Tree Publishing explained that she will be “ever thankful to Jack Straw”, the former managing director of BrownTrout UK “for the introduction to the Andrews McMeel team” which has led to the new arrangement which will bring benefits to both parties.
“The addition of the Andrews McMeel collection will almost double the size of our calendar portfolio, and open up new retailing opportunities,” adds Frances.
Flame Tree already has a strong reputation for its collection of art-based calendars, through licences with leading institutions and galleries (such as the Tate, V&A and Kew) as well as famed artists (including Anne Stokes, Angela Harding and Esté MacLeod), the addition of the Andrews McMeel titles substantially broadens its offer in a number of directions.
Among the AMP ‘big hitters’ are Thomas Kinkade, Disney Kinkade, The Far Side, Dilbert, Peanuts and Bob Ross. In addition it also has licensing agreements with several gaming brands including Super Mario, Animal Crossing, entertainment properties, such as The Wire and Hamilton the Musical.
Commenting on the AMP range, Flame Tree Publishing’s founder and publisher, Nick Wells, said “…their range of day-to-day and wall calendars particularly complements our own publishing and allow us to provide a much wider offer to the many sectors of the market. We value the new partnership with AMP, and are glad to welcome a fellow client of Simon and Schuster who distributes us both in the US.”
Adding her delight about the new distribution relationship, president and publisher of Andrews McMeel, Kirsty Melville acknowledged how Flame Tree Publishing is “respected and renowned for exceptional content”, making them such as “well suited” partner “with product offerings that closely align and complement ours. We look forward to growing our business with them to get more of our calendars to booksellers and consumers in these territories.”
