• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Login
  • Register
Publishers Lunch logo Publishers Lunch logo
  • Publishers Marketplace
  • Site Guide
  • Help
Login Sign Up
  • Personnel
  • AI
  • Compensation
  • Unions
  • Book Bans
  • New Releases
  • Earnings
  • The Trial
  • Archives
Publishers Lunch logo
  • Publishers Marketplace
  • Site Guide
  • Help
  • Publishers Marketplace
  • Site Guide
  • Help

August 29, 2017By Michael Cader

BISG to Revamp Board Structure

August 29, 2017By Michael Cader

The board of the Book Industry Study Group approved a significant set of changes to their by-laws that, when ratified at their members meeting on September 25, will reshape how the group is governed. The BISG intends to reduce the current oversized board of 33 members down to a more traditional group of 14 directors. They will also limit board members to a maximum of two consecutive two-year terms (except for the chair), after which they must rotate off for at least one year.

The new board slots will be allocated specifically among distinct industry sectors, with 5 positions for publishers (including two from from trade, and one professional/education publisher), 3 for industry service partners, 2 for distributors 2 for retailers, 1 for libraries, and 1 for suppliers/manufacturers. All committee chairs will be invited to attend the quarterly board meetings as non-voting attendees, however. Current board chair Maureen McMahon at Kaplan notes in the announcement, “By creating segment-specific roles with the board, we will always have the right voices in the room as we tackle industry issues.”

The new governance efforts, formulated by an ad hoc board committee chaired by Kelly Gallagher at Ingram, have also for the first time formally documented the responsibilities and expectations of board members. He notes, “A carefully structured, smaller governing body can develop the culture of clarity, governance, and data-driven decision making that is required to both set and refine strategic direction in a transforming market.”

The organization plans to create an Association Advisory Council, for which “all book publishing associations will be invited to join, contribute their perspectives, and share current concerns.”

BISG also intends to move their annual meeting from September to April going forward — which means they will open for nominations for 9 new board members in January, and vote on those positions at the April 2018 meeting.

Filed Under: Free, News

sidebar

Primary Free Sidebar

Login

Forgot Password Quick Pass User Login
Get Full Access
The Publishing Industry’s Essential Daily Read

Each Publishers Lunch Deluxe subscription includes full access to our searchable multi-year archive of industry news, a nightly email reporting 10 to 50 deal transactions, and our database of industry contacts, scripts, and posting privileges.

Learn More

RSS Automat

  • Spotify Adds Plans for Individuals and Family Groups to Add On Another 15 Hours of Paid Audiobook Listening July 17, 2025 Press release
  • New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte Vetoes School Book Banning Bill July 16, 2025 NHPR
  • The WSJ on Scholastic's Turnaround Efforts July 15, 2025 WSJ
  • Fourth Wing Coloring Book and Calendar to be Published by Andrews McMeel July 15, 2025 Press release
  • Nielsen Successor (And Owner of Nielsen Bookscan) NIQ Files for IPO, Raising Over $1 Billion on a $7.25 Billion Value July 14, 2025 Reuters
  • Sally Kim Discusses Working at Each of the Big 5 July 10, 2025 Open Book Podcast
  • Authors Write An Open Letter to Publishers Against AI July 1, 2025 Lit Hub
  • Pearson and Google Partner on AI Tools June 27, 2025 Press Release
  • Author of "Life as We Knew It," Among 76 Books of "Complex Stories for Young Adults" Susan Beth Pfeffer Dies at 77 June 26, 2025 NYT
  • Why Man Not Read Fiction We Think Should? IDK -- Let's Ask A Tourist Bookstore June 26, 2025 NYT
Publishers Marketplace logo

Contact Us

News

  • Publishers Marketplace
  • Report News
  • Discuss
  • Classifieds
  • Rights Offerings

Deals

  • Report A Deal

Books

  • Buzz Books

Jobs

  • Job Board
  • Privacy Policy Terms of Use