Wiley announced Tuesday in an SEC filing that ceo Stephen Smith‘s urological cancer has recurred, and he “will be taking a period of medical leave in order to focus on treatment.” In September 2011 the company had first reported that Smith underwent “successful surgery” and was receiving “preventive chemotherapy.” Mark Allin‘s previously announced promoted to chief operating officer has been accelerated, and the company’s executive leadership team now reports to him (and Allin will report to the board’s executive committee).
Archives for February 2015
Corporate: BAMM Committee, Quarto Refinances, and More
As expected, the board of Books-a-Million has formed a special committee of independent directors to consider the latest proposal from the family of chairman Clyde Anderson to take the company private by buying all outstanding stock for $2.75 a share. Quarto announced an agreement for a a new four-year, $95 million syndicated bank facility, with four banks that already finance the publisher. As of their half-year report for 2014, Quarto had $94 million in short-term borrowings. The Jamie Oliver Group is working with New York-based investment bank Raine to explore selling a minority stake in the chef’s media and publishing business, […]
Still More On Harper Lee’s GO SET A WATCHMAN
Over the weekend pieces from the NYT, WSJ, and the AP filled in some blanks about the discovery of Harper Lee’s GO SET A WATCHMAN and how cognizant Lee is about the novel’s forthcoming publication on July 14. Though the Harper Collins press release from last week said the manuscript was discovered last fall, Lee’s lawyer Tonja Carter tells the NYT via emails and texts that she found the work “in late summer.” When Carter visited Lee and asked her about the manuscript and if it was finished: “She said: ‘Complete? I guess so. It was the parent of MOCKINGBIRD.” Separately, the WSJ reports that foreign rights […]
People, Etc.
Abrams announced a number of recent promotions as well as a new hire. At Abrams Children’s and Amulet, Traci Todd joined recently as executive editor (she was senior editor, children’s publishing at VIZ Media). Jennifer Graham has been promoted to senior managing editor, while Erica Finkel moves up to associate editor. On the adult trade side, Eric Klopfer has been promoted to senior editor; Erin Hotchkiss has been promoted to marketing director; Paul Colarusso moves up to senior marketing manager; and Jordan Sapiro has been promoted to associate publicist. Finally, Matthew Dinda has been promoted to trade sales representative, while Erica LaSala moves up to […]
What Happens to CBS After Redstone?
For the better part of a decade (or more), book publishing people have looked at Simon & Schuster and wondered whether or when its parent company will sell the publisher — even as executives keep saying they are delighted to have S&S as part of the corporate family. The bigger question, now that it appears controlling owner Sumner Redstone is not immortal (he will turn 92 shortly, and is said to be in failing health), is what will happen to Simon & Schuster’s current parent CBS after Redstone dies. Wall Street has been promoting the idea that Viacom and CBS […]
People
Robyn DesHotel joins the ABA on March 2 as chief financial officer, replacing Eleanor Chang, who is retiring. DesHotel has been at PEN American Center, as director of finance and administration since 2010. At the University of California Press, Clare Wellnitz has been promoted to director of sales & licensing, continuing to oversee rights, licensing, and contracts in addition to providing strategic oversight and direction for sales operations. At Graywolf Press, Leslie Johnson has been promoted to managing director, while Erin Kottke adds the role of marketing director to her existing duties as publicity director. Megan Beatie has left Goldberg McDuffie Communications, where she was […]