Hoffman and Green in International Literary Estates launch

A new company working across London and New York, International Literary Properties, has been launched to acquire and manage the intellectual property in literary estates and to exploit the rights and cash flows deriving from them.

The new business will be overseen by former literary agent Scott Hoffman as c.e.o. with Ted Green, former c.e.o. of RLJ Entertainment, serving as executive chairman. It will purchase copyrights and cash flows from literary estates or living authors seeking liquidity and financial certainty “in a rapidly changing book publishing environment,” the company said.

Hilary Strong, c.e.o. of Anthology Media Group and formerly c.e.o. of the Agatha Christie estate, has also joined Bob Benton, founder of the Anthology Group, in the new business. Strong and Benton will both sit on the board of International Literary Properties (ILP) and will have principal responsibility for properties in the UK and Europe, with particular focus on properties with TV, theatre or film potential.

The business will be based across London and New York, and has been created to acquire and manage the intellectual property in literary estates and to exploit the rights and cash flows deriving from them.

Andrew Minkow joins as c.f.o., after having worked in consulting and healthcare while Polly Benton, formerly of NBC Universal Media, will head up business development.

Strong said: “During my time working with the Agatha Christie estate, I became aware of other important literary assets that had not benefited from the same nurturing. These books are part of our heritage and I am excited to have the opportunity to invest in those estates and to bring their stories back to life for new generations of readers and viewers.”

Benton said: “This is an exciting opportunity that plays to the team’s experience and strengths, particularly with respect to Hilary’s tenure managing legendary literary estates, and Scott’s long experience in publishing, and will give readers and viewers additional access to timeless content at this time of great change in the marketplace.”

Owners of estates, or agents who represent estates owners who they think may be interested in talking to ILP are invited to contact Hilary Strong’s office through Polly Benton on Polly@ilpliterary.com or 020 347 8269.