At Harper Audio, Brad Hill has been promoted to associate publisher. Nathan Rosborough has been promoted to director of production. Suzanne Mitchell has been promoted to creative director. Almeda Beynon has been promoted to executive producer.
Archives for April 2023
Pearson Higher Ed Sales Drop 5%, As Expected
Pearson announced a brief trading update on results for the first quarter of 2023, with overall sales up 2 percent and sales excluding Online Program Management (which is up for sale) and international courseware local publishing (which is being wound down) were 6 percent. “Performance in each of Pearson’s divisions in line with or ahead of our expectations,” the company said in a release. Those expectations were low for Higher Education sales—the only actual publishing division remaining at what has become a testing, workforce skills and English language learning company: The dropped 5 percent, “including the anticipated deferral of Pearson+ sales […]
New York State Expected to Increase Minimum Wage
Governor Kathy Hochul announced an agreement with legislators on a new budget for the state of New York that would include increasing the minimum wage to $17 an hour by 2026 in NYC, Westchester and Long Island (rising by 2027 for the rest of the state). The reports do not indicate the effect on the earnings level for executive and administrative employees to be classified as exempt from overtime, though traditionally that level equals 75 times the hourly wage (in which case it would rise to $1,275 a week, or $66,300 a year).
Bookselling: Barnes & Noble Store Updates
The PR campaign is all about Barnes & Noble’s big “expansion” of the store base, but the actual news continues to present a more nuanced picture of stores that are being closed or swapped out, along with new locations. The latest outlet to be surrendered is in Highland Village, TX, where they are giving way for a Cheesecake Factory. A spokesperson tells the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, “We are actively looking for a new location and hope to find one soon.” In Redding, CA, the chain will be switching locations. Unlike many other replacement stores, this one will be larger than […]
HarperCollins Shutters Harper Design
HarperCollins confirmed on Friday that they are shutting down Harper Design. They said in a statement, “HarperCollins has made the strategic decision to close Harper Design. Moving forward, illustrated books will be published across the various imprints.” A representative told PL that some employees will be leaving the company, but did not specify how many.
May Book Club Picks
Jenna Bush Hager chose Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah as the May pick for her Today Show Read With Jenna Book Club.