Caribe-Betania to Become Grupo Nelson

By Carmen Ospina -- Críticas, 11/15/2005

Less than a year after taking the job of vice-president and publisher of Caribe-Betania Editores, an imprint of Thomas Nelson Inc., Larry Downs has expanded and redirected the house's Spanish program. In October, he launched a new business book and audiobook imprint dubbed Líder Latino (Latino Leader), moving away from Caribe-Betania's evangelical focus. Now, Downs has given Críticas a sneak peak into more exciting developments.

In April 2006, Caribe-Betania will become two separate imprints under a newly formed umbrella called Grupo Nelson, or the Spanish Publishing Group for Thomas Nelson. Editorial Betania will focus on classic inspirational and family titles, including children's products, and Editorial Caribe will specialize on Bibles and reference materials, as well as electronic publishing. Three more imprints will make up Grupo Nelson: Líder Latino; Editorial 10 Puntos, which will publish 12 to 15 general self-help titles by high-profile personalities, including Universal Beauty by 20 of the last Miss Universe winners and Donald Trump's Trump: Real Profit, Real Estate; and Editorial Católica, which will publish Catholic Bibles in gift editions.

"We are excited about the support that we are receiving as Grupo Nelson corporately, and with the few retailers we have talked with," said Downs, who is now seeking to expand the company's sales force and editorial team. "We know that with our new structure, we are poised for a strong growth curve that will bring great authors and books to a wider audience."