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People, Etc.: Andre Schiffrin Dies At 78, and More

December 1, 2013
By Sarah Weinman

Co-founder of The New Press and longtime editor in chief and managing director of Pantheon prior to the Andre Schiffrin died in Paris on Sunday from pancreatic cancer. He was 78. The NYT calls him “a publishing force for 50 years, whose passion for editorial independence produced shelves of serious books, a titanic collision with a conglomerate that forced him out to stem losses, and a late-in-life comeback as a nonprofit publisher.” And they certify in print a definition of Pantheon as “a Random House imprint where making money was never the main point.”

Bertelsmann’s president of corporate development and new businesses Thomas Hesse is leaving the company at the end of year, after reportedly asking the board to release him from his contract, to “pursue new professional opportunities in the digital business sector.” He will also step down from Bertelsmann’s executive board, though he will continue to consult for the company. His responsibilities will be absorbed by ceo Thomas Rabe, and Hesse will not be replaced.

Rabe said: “With his deep understanding of digital business models, Thomas Hesse was particularly instrumental in Bertelsmann’s transformation to digital. Hesse established new digital forums and processes that have significantly advanced the level of expertise and knowledge transfer at Bertelsmann.”

Jocelyn Cordova will join Crown Business on December 16 as director of marketing and publicity. Previously she was associate director of publicity at Wiley. She replaces Tara Gilbride, formerly vp, director of marketing and publicity, who joins Fortier PR as vp, director of publicity and marketing.

Nicole James has joined Chalberg & Sussman as an agent. Previously she was an agent and foreign rights director at the Aaron Priest Agency, where she worked for 9 years, and is bringing her client list with her.

At Red Sofa Literary, Jennie Goloboy has been promoted to agent, and Laura Zats has joined as an associate literary agent.

Perseus announced a number of promotions and new hires in its sales department to “support future growth for the company.” Keith Arsenault has been promoted to promoted to director, mass merchandise and will now oversee sales to all mass merchandise channels, while Leslie Jobson moves up to field sales manager, focusing mostly on Legato and Perseus Distribution clients, and new client Skyhorse. John Tewsley has been hired as a telesales rep, working out of his home in Michigan. Previously he was history and current events buyer at Borders. Also in the telesales department, Rob Pine has been promoted to field sales rep; James Chan moves up to national account manager, handling AWBC/BAM and Hastings; Justin Demeter has been promoted to senior sales manager, gift, and Vanessa Navarrete moves up to assistant sales manager, gift; and Nissa Bagelman has been promoted to sales coordinator, special sales.

The Queen of England awarded author Jackie Collins an OBE.

Scanned versions of three JD Salinger stories previous available only by visiting research libraries were posted online Wednesday. Salinger had directed that the story “The Ocean Full of Bowling Balls” should not be published prior to 2060. The other two were “Paula,” and “Birthday Boy.”

Donal Ryan‘s The Spinning Heart won the 2013 Guardian first book award.

Filed Under: Agency News, Awards, Free, Personnel

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