Andy Ward has been promoted to president and editor-in-chief of the Random House imprint effective immediately, reporting to Susan Kamil, who transfers her EIC duties and remains as publisher. She says the promotion is “in recognition of the bestselling and critically lauded titles he has brought to Random House, his universally acknowledged editorial gifts and publishing skill, the respect he elicits from his authors, peers, and the agent community, and his motivating, nurturing collaboration with his colleagues.” Kamil “will be concentrating on the long-term and day-to-day publishing decisions for our lists, while Ward is “responsible for the daily management of the Random House […]
Archives for October 2015
Best ofs Begin, with the NYT’s Illustrated Children’s Favorites
We officially start transitioning from awards season to best of the year season, as the NYT Book Review takes the traditional lead with their list of the Best Illustrated Children’s Books. (Two are written by Mac Barnett, and two of the books on the list are about the Eiffel Tower.) Big Bear Little Chair, by Lizi Boyd A Fine Dessert: Four Centuries, Four Families, One Delicious Treat, by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Sophie Blackall Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras, by Duncan Tonatiuh Leo: A Ghost Story, by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Christian Robinson Madame Eiffel: The Love […]
People, Etc.
Cathy Goldsmith has been appointed to the newly created position of president and publisher of Random House’s Beginner Books line and Dr. Seuss publishing program, effective immediately, continuing to report to Mallory Loehr. Goldsmith was the “creative force” behind this summer’s publication of the posthumous Dr. Seuss book What Pet Should I Get? and worked directly with Ted Geisel — president of Beginner Books from 1957 until his death in 1991 — in the last decades of his life. “With her incredible wealth of knowledge about Dr. Seuss books and her unique experience working directly with Ted, Cathy is the perfect […]
Apple Records Another Strong Quarter, As Media Sales Continue to Gain
Apple reported fourth quarter results ahead of analysts’ expectations on Tuesday afternoon, with sales up 22 percent to $51.5 billion and net profit of $11.1 billion. For the full fiscal year sales rose 28 percent to $233.7 billion. Despite the strong results, some investors had qualms about the company’s slightly moderated guidance for the holiday quarter, which is expected to have sales of between $75.5 billion and $77.5 billion, and the role that Chinese demand is playing in the company’s growth. The company sold 9.9 million iPads in the quarter, down from 12.3 million tablets a year ago. Their “services” line item, which […]
Corporate: Bertelsmann Buys RediLearning; Harper Buys The Midlist; and More
Bertelsmann subsidiary Relias Learning has acquired Florida-based e-learning company RediLearning. Terms of the deal, the first under the Bertelsmann Education Group umbrella, were not disclosed — though a Reuters source puts it at a “medium double-digit million US dollar sum.” The nine-year-old RediLearning provides online training in the field of senior care, primarily through 400 online courses. Bertelsmann ceo and chairman Thomas Rabe said in the announcement: “The acquisition of RediLearning fits perfectly into our education strategy. E-Learning is a strategic segment for Bertelsmann as we develop our education business. Relias is a core investment, and we will continue to develop […]
People, Etc.
Lori Galvin has joined Zachary Shuster Harmsworth as an agent based in the firm’s Boston office, as part of their “deepening…commitment to representing the finest writers of cookbooks.” Galvin worked for more than a decade at America’s Test Kitchen, where she helped lead a team that produced dozens of cookbooks. Architect Peter Pennoyer will take over as president of the board of The Mrs. Giles Whiting Foundation. He succeeds Antonia Grumbach, chair-elect of the Wildlife Conservation Society. Digital Distribution Vearsa has added Andrews McMeel as a distribution and analytics client. Interesting Reads The NYT Magazine has a feature on the surprisingly sophisticated business of practices of the “penny booksellers” […]