Jason Wells will return to Simon & Schuster Children’s in the new role of vp, marketing and publicity on December 7, after 14 years at Abrams Children’s. (He worked at S&S Children’s in the early 2000s.) VP, director of marketing Lucille Rettino will leave the company after working for the division for the more than 10 years.
Wells will run what Children’s division president and publisher Jon Anderson calls “an expanded and unified publicity and marketing force, adding additional positions throughout the department…. Placing them both under the direction of Jason recognizes the remarkable talent he has shown throughout his career for nuts-and-bolts organization, inspiring management, and incredible creativity.” Wells’ reports will include director of marketing Chrissy Noh, associate director of digital marketing Matt Pantoliano, associate director of marketing Carolyn Swerdloff, associate director of publicity Jodie Hockensmith, and associate director of publicity Katy Hershberger.
The Penguin Hotline has returned for the holiday shopping season, once again drawing on hundreds of Penguin to help recommend the right books to give as gifts.