Publishing company signs agreement with German agency

Breakwater Books has reached an agreement with The Berlin Agency to market the publisher�s Newfoundland and Labrador titles in German language countries.

Clyde Rose, President of Breakwater Books, and Dr. Harry Olechnovitz of The Berlin Agency signed the agreement in Berlin today during Team Canada�s February 12 - 22 trade mission to Germany and Russia.

Deputy Premier Beaton Tulk, representing Premier Roger Grimes, also participated in the signing ceremony. This was one of two agreements signed for Newfoundland and Labrador today, bringing to four the number signed to date during this trade mission. Two others were signed in Moscow last week.

As Breakwater�s partner, The Berlin Agency will promote and sell Breakwater�s Newfoundland and Labrador titles in the German language in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

"This agreement has an historic component in that it is the first formal trade agreement or partnership between an Atlantic Canadian publishing house and a German rights agency," said Mr. Rose.

"I am happy to promote Newfoundland titles," said Dr. Olechnovitz. "Based on the success of books like Random Passage that Breakwater has already sold to a German publishing house, I am confident this agreement will also have success."

Breakwater Books already has two publishing partners in German � Bertelsman and DTV in Munich.

"Newfoundland titles in German have already found a good audience in Germany with Random Passage and Waiting for Time being good sellers in this marketplace," said Mr. Rose.

Mr. Tulk congratulated Breakwater on achieving an agreement with a rights agency in Germany and on opening more export doors not just in Germany but in Austria and Switzerland.

The Team Canada mission leaves for Munich today and returns to Canada on Friday.

Media contact: Josephine Cheeseman , Communications (709) 729-4570.

2002 02 19                            4:45 p.m.