Business · Companies · 12 hrs ago
Grasset has gone seven months without a permanent head
The Paris publisher Grasset has had no permanent head for seven months since its owner, Vincent Bolloré, dismissed CEO Olivier Nora in April.
Christophe Bataille, who had been running the company since Nora's departure, announced on October 30 that he was leaving.
Staff and authors are waiting to learn who will lead the publishing house next.
Without Bataille, Grasset has lost a key person overseeing its publishing plans, contracts and manuscript reviews.
One author said Grasset can keep going until March using books already due from its authors, but questioned what will happen after that.
The immediate concern is whether the publisher can maintain its work beyond March as it awaits a new team.
Grasset has gone seven months without a permanent head since its chief executive, Olivier Nora, was dismissed in April.
The Paris publishing house is waiting to learn its future under owner Vincent Bolloré.
Christophe Bataille, who had been running the house since Nora’s departure, announced his own departure on October 30.
The publisher’s staff is managing upcoming books and manuscripts without a permanent leader.
Author Claude Arnaud said the house could function until March using works already due from its authors.
- Who
- Grasset, the Paris publishing house owned by Vincent Bolloré, has been without a permanent head. Christophe Bataille had been running it since Olivier Nora’s dismissal.
- What
- Grasset is awaiting a new leadership team after seven months without a permanent head.
- When
- Since April; Christophe Bataille announced his departure on October 30.
- Where
- Grasset’s offices at 61 rue des Saints-Pères in Paris.
- Why
- The owner dismissed chief executive Olivier Nora. The reason for his dismissal is not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Grasset owner Vincent Bolloré dismissed chief executive Olivier Nora.
Christophe Bataille announced his departure in the Grasset authors’ WhatsApp group.
Claude Arnaud’s book Le sexe de l’hippocampe is due to be published by Grasset.
Claude Arnaud said Grasset could function until then using works already due from its authors.
- Time without permanent head
- Seven months
- Dismissed chief executive
- Olivier Nora
- Owner
- Vincent Bolloré
- Bataille’s departure announcement
- October 30
- Grasset address
- 61 rue des Saints-Pères, Paris
- Arnaud book publication date
- January 13, 2027
What people are saying
The house can function until March thanks to its reservoir of authors who are delivering their latest books.
It is the same team but decapitated, the same house that is withering.