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[Press Release]
HarperCollins Christian Publishing acquires Olive Tree
Publisher expands its digital portfolio with Christian app and software company
HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. (HCCP) today announced its acquisition of Olive Tree Bible Software, Inc. Olive Tree is an industry leading online and mobile Christian Bible resource and e-commerce company. Its software is accessible on the desktop, tablets, and mobile devices across all major platforms and offers a wide range of products. Olive Tree specifically focuses on providing e-only products to facilitate how consumers read and interact with content.
The acquisition of Olive Tree directly aligns with HCCP’s mission and digital growth strategy. “Olive Tree’s product and technology expertise, combined with HCCP’s resources, will better equip us in the digital Bible study resources market,” said Mark Schoenwald, president and CEO of HCCP. “Our business objective is to continue delivering content to our readers in the format that best fits their lives. Olive Tree offers its customers incredible value through its apps and software, and this acquisition, although relatively small and strategically different than content acquisitions, provides our business with the opportunity to enhance our technical capabilities, and create unique experiences for our consumers.”
Rachel Barach, currently the general manager of HCCP’s Bible Gateway, will oversee Olive Tree’s operations. “I am thrilled to lead these two groups,” stated Barach. “Olive Tree’s focus on high quality, educational Bible experiences will complement Bible Gateway’s mission to provide easy access to Scripture. Together, they will help grow biblical knowledge and engagement worldwide.” She continued with, “We are committed to upholding the integrity of Olive Tree with its operating partners, publishers, and consumers. We believe that these relationships are, and will continue to be, an integral part of our strategy moving forward.”
HCCP has long experienced the value Olive Tree brings to Bibles and Bible study resources as a current retailing partner. “Olive Tree has always had a positive impact on the discoverability of our products,” commented Schoenwald. “We believe this is a significant addition to our digital portfolio, but we are also committed to maintaining and growing relationships with all of our current online retailer and Bible software companies. These partnerships are all vital to our business and we could not fulfill our mission without their support.”
Olive Tree is based in Spokane, Washington. Founder Drew Haninger will move immediately into an advisory role during the business’ transitional period.
For additional information on Olive Tree’s apps and Bible software, please visit www.OliveTree.com.