André Deutsch snapped up by Carlton

André Deutsch, the literary, sports and media publisher whose eponymous founder died earlier this year, has finally been snapped up by Carlton Books (The Bookseller, 22nd September). The sum Carlton is paying in the deal is undisclosed.

The deal, which includes Granada titles, means that Carlton will have rights to tie-in titles covering 80% of the programming on the ITV network. Carlton also has international expansion plans for Deutsch's Manchester United Books imprint.

Alisdair Ogilvie, Deutsch managing director, will stay with the publisher's former owner, the VCI Group, after completing the sale. The company's other 10 staff will move to Carlton's offices in London.

Jonathan Goodman, managing director of Carlton Books, emphasised the importance of the Manchester United and Granada properties. "They add to our portfolio of extremely strong brand names. We will be a TV tie-in force to parallel Channel 4 Books and the BBC."

The future of Deutsch's literary, travel, history and biography publishing is uncertain. "We have no plans for the rest of the company yet," said Mr Goodman. "I'm sure we'll find some marvellous things in the archives."

He added that Carlton would be "guided" by the new staff when deciding the future of the André Deutsch name.

Diana Athill, founding director at Deutsch and author of the memoir Stet (Granta), said: "The company hasn't had anything to do with André Deutsch as it used to be for a very long time. I would rather that the name ceased to exist, since the firm has changed so much. I'm sure [André] wouldn't have minded if the name disappeared."