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1992
Having spotted a need to cure what he calls 'Map Stress Syndrome' after watching numerous tourists around the City of Bath, England, battling with oversized maps, founder Derek Dacey recalls the invaluable miniature charts he used during his days
as a commercial pilot. Aiming to bring this level of usability to the city map market, a small team of designers is recruited to realize what would soon become the PopOut.
1993
January: Compass Maps Ltd founded by Derek and Sally Dacey to publish the first PopOut Map of Bath, which is sold in the gift and souvenir trade.
1994
First European city titles introduced, including Paris and Amsterdam. By now there are 12 UK titles on sale, distributed amongst hundreds of gift/souvenir outlets nationwide.
1995
Research trip to the USA culminates in redesigned layout, combining strong photo images, high quality printing and laminated covers - standards which are still adhered to today.
A US office is opened (initially in Boston, later in various locations around Chicago), trading as The Map Group, Inc. Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC titles are
launched in the new style in the US, enjoying instant success in the gift & souvenir trade.
1997
Deutsche Telecom approaches us to print a branded PopOut Map, heralding the launch of the PopOut Custom Print Programme. Following this, we begin attending promotional trade shows
and this new part of the business blossoms. By now Compass is manufacturing its own retail display units, as it does to this day.
1998
Rand McNally, the US' largest map distributor, places its first PopOut order, beginning our first relationship with a national book trade distributor. PopOut Maps are presented with 'Best Design, 1997-1998' award by Global Group, Inc.
'For Achievement in Design, Quality and Value'.
1999
May: PopOut Maps win the Crystal Apple Award at the New Product Pavilion, Premium & Incentive Show in New York.
1998 - 2001
The PopOut range is dramatically extended to around 75 titles. During this time the company is located in the city of Bath, in the West of England.
Sales into the book trade grow as more relationships with national distributors are forged throughout Europe, North America and Australia.
2000
Imaps are launched; the first all-new product since the company was founded - Rand McNally are exclusive distributors in the US book trade. Featuring a more conventional fold, these city maps nevertheless pack in a 12-page
information booklet (fully cross-referenced to the maps), and a working compass!
2002
InsideOut city guides are launched worldwide with 12 titles; a true step forward in design featuring two PopOut Maps, 64-page guide booklet, working flip-up compass and pen, all housed in a sleek and extremely durable plastic cover.
Within weeks of appearing on bookshelves in the UK's WHSmith Travel Retail stores, InsideOut titles are outselling all competitors without any press or advertising.
Vmap format is also introduced with London and New York titles, plus
a Salt Lake City edition to tie in with the Winter Olympics; it's a credit card- or wallet-sized folding map aimed at the gift/souvenir market, and is still on sale today.
Compass Head Office moves to its present location near Bristol.
2003
Imap series is re-launched with a distinctive silver cover to match InsideOut. By now, PopOut Maps titles published to date number over 100. InsideOut has 25 titles available; Imap 40.
Schibsted Forlag (Norway) and WIG Press (Poland) become first co-edition partners for InsideOut.
2004
InsideOut receives a 'facelift' redesign, including revised spine and new 'lightpen'. New 96-page titles join the range (taking the total to 36). Innovative US gift retailer Brookstone starts stocking InsideOut after a successful appearance at the Luggage Show.
SpeakOut range of language guides is launched. Following the InsideOut format, it's available in English-French; German; Italian; Spanish. PopOuts chosen as Official Transportation Map for Athens Olympics.
2005
May: SpeakOut wins Best New Non-Book Product Award at Book Expo America.
2003 - 2006
Throughout this period, PopOut Maps are the best selling international city map range in the UK, holding a 52% market share (Nielsen Bookscan).
2006
A new range, PopOut Cityguides, is previewed in selected outlets in the US and UK (Boston, Chicago, London and New York titles are initially available).
December: Morris Communications, LLC acquires rights to the North American business (trading until now as The Map Group, Inc.)
2007
PopOut Cityguides are launched as a replacement/update to InsideOut. The range has revised content and is designed to be more accessible to publishers in emerging markets, as well as partnering the original favorite, PopOut Maps.
Triple Maps are devised combining an extra PopOut
to the standard double design: titles
launched are Paris, London, New York,
Rome, and Tokyo. A special Beijing
Olympics triple is created to coincide with the major sporting event.
2008
Morris Communications, LLC wholly acquires Compass Maps Ltd. Compass is to continue operating autonomously, under the parentage of Morris' publishing subsidiary, the Globe Pequot Press.
2009
A new PopOut mailer product is designed, allowing the successful PopOut format to be utlitized for in-hand marketing mail shot campaigns.
2010
New improved InsideOuts are launched with 14 of our key city titles. The stylish silver cover returns but now in an all improved hardback cover, and still with two incorporated PopOut maps.
2011
In March Compass HQ move to the beautiful city of Bath, swapping the rolling countryside for the delights of a world heritage site, and the location for our first ever PopOut map. |
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