In further executive turnover at Lagardere Publishing, ceo of Hachette Australia and chairman of Hachette New Zealand Malcolm Edwards “has indicated his desire to retire at the end of 2013, after nearly 20 years at the helm.” He will be succeeded by current sales and marketing director Matt Richell, who for now becomes deputy managing director of Hachette Australia, reporting to Edwards. He will take over as ceo of Hachette Australia on February 1, 2013, reporting to Hachette UK’s Commercial Director. From February 2013 until the end of the year, Edwards will serve as part-time non-executive Chairman of Hachette Australia, […]
Archives for September 2012
Also Now On Appeal: The Georgia State Fair Use Ruling
Also in court, on Tuesday afternoon the publisher plaintiffs filed to appeal the ruling in the Georgia State University copyright case. In a joint statement, the publishers said the court’s recent rulings “shift radically from long-accepted fair use principles and introduce, among other errors, unsustainable policies regarding the proportion of a work not readily available for digital licensing that can be digitally copied without restriction. We have no alternative but to appeal, to protect our authors’ copyrights and advocate for a balanced and workable solution.” The AAP reiterated their position that “there is no legal basis for according less copyright […]
Harper Starts Selling Discountable eBooks Under New Agreements–At Higher List Prices
At least some new pricing for ebooks is starting in advance of any indication from the court whether an appeal might stay formal imposition of the settlement with the Department of Justice. Spokesperson Erin Crum told Publishers Lunch Monday afternoon, “HarperCollins has reached agreements with our e-retailers that are consistent with the final judgment.” The results of those new agreements–including discounts on at least some ebooks–were reflected during the day on Harper ebooks, first noticed at Amazon and BooksOnBoard.com, which had emailed customers offering 24 percent off Harper ebooks this week as they “welcome[d] back discounts for HarperCollins ebook titles.” […]
Pietsch Will Take Over As Hachette CEO Next Year When Young Returns to UK; Remains Chairman and Takes On Other Lagardere Roles
Hachette Book Group USA has announced their succession plan as chairman and ceo for the past seven years David Young prepares to return to the UK next year to rejoin his family (who relocated back there some time ago). As of April 1, 2013, Young will relinquish the post of ceo, while remaining as chairman. Thereafter, Young expects to be in the US approximately one week a month. Little, Brown publisher Michael Pietsch will take over as ceo of HBG USA on April 1, 2013, still reporting to Young–though he will have “full responsibility for the company’s profitability and direction.” […]
People, Etc.
At Sourcebooks, Valerie Pierce has been promoted to marketing manager, retail and libraries. In addition, Jenna Skwarek has joined as assistant editor in the trade division. She was previously with McGraw-Hill Higher Education, where she was a development editor and editorial coordinator. In Holland, Jessica Nash take over as editor-in-chief of translated fiction at Atlas-Contact on October as Tom Harmsen moves over within the VBK group to become publisher of Luitingh-Sijthoff. Martijn David will be leaving Atlas-Contact on October 15 to become Secretary-General of the Dutch publishers’ association. Berkley/NAL has formally announced details of their new graphic novel imprint, InkLit, which […]
Digital Revenues Grow But eBook Sales Remain Flat in Wiley Q1
John Wiley reported fiscal first quarter results, with sales of $411 million down 2 percent compared to last year and adjusted operating income dropping 23 percent to 52 cents a share. The company also took a $4.8 million restructuring charge for various discontinued operations and layoffs as part of the ongoing transition and transformation to digital. (That charge was acknowledged as on the way last quarter.) Wiley also blamed “lower revenue and higher royalty and technology costs” for the revenue declines in the quarter. In the professional/trade group, overall sales of $102 million were up 4 percent, thanks to $6 […]