Google Buys Frommer’s, Both Confirm

Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Google has purchased the global travel guide brand Frommer’s from its former parent company, publishing company Wiley, for an undisclosed sum, representatives of both companies confirmed to TPM. As a Google spokesperson said in a statement:

“The Frommer’s team and the quality and scope of their content will be a great addition to the Zagat team. We can’t wait to start working with them on our goal to provide a review for every relevant place in the world.”

Google purchased restaurant and place review guide brand Zagat for $151 million in September 2011. Zagat’s 30-point-rating system was then incorporated into places listed on Google’s social network, Google Plus, in a new section called Google Plus Local. It is expected that Google will also combine Frommer’s into Google Plus Local and other products. Wiley released the following statement online:

Wiley entered into a definitive agreement to sell all of its travel assets, including all of its interests in the Frommer’s brand, to Google. Proceeds from this sale, and others that may arise from the sale of other consumer assets, will be redeployed to support growth opportunities in Professional/Trade; Scientific, Technical, Medical, and Scholarly; and Global Education businesses.     

A spokesperson for Wiley told TPM that some employees at Frommer’s would go with the brand to Google, while others would be offered alternative positions at Wiley. The Wiley spokesperson declined to comment on the potential for layoffs or buyouts. The Wall Street Journal first reported on the deal on Monday. 

Latest Livewire
Comments
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: