At St. Martin’s, Jeff Dodes has been appointed to the new position of evp, marketing and digital media strategy. He will direct the creative development, marketing and financial planning for all titles from St. Martin’s and its imprints. Most recently, he led the marketing and digital media department for Sony Music’s Jive Label Group. Sally Richardson and Matthew Shear, to whom Dodes will report, comment in the announcement: “Jeff brings a whole new level of expertise to our marketing efforts. He not only has a superior knowledge of what has worked in the past but also a keen sense of […]
Distribution
People, Etc.
At Scholastic’s trade publishing division, editorial director David Levithan has been promoted to publisher and editorial director. In other promotions, Charisse Meloto moves up to executive director of publicity for print and digital publishing; Bess Braswell is now director of marketing; Victoria Tisch is director of marketing operations; Maria Dominguez is executive editor and manager, Scholastic en español; and Paul Banks moves up to executive art director, licensed publishing and school market originals. Simon & Schuster’s children’s imprints Aladdin and Simon Pulse will co-publish Beyond Words Publishing‘s children’s list. S&S will handle sales, distribution, and fulfillment of their 10 to […]
Announcements: Hachette Cuts 11 From Sales Force; Abrams Acquires SelfMadeHero; and More
Hachette Book Group has eliminated 11 positions in its sales & marketing department. In a statement the company said the layoffs came about “after an extensive review of our overall sales and marketing structure to identify effective ways to meet the changing needs of our account base….This is an extremely difficult decision to make, but it was necessary to tighten our sales force in order to adapt to evolution in the marketplace.” Abrams has bought UK graphic novel publisher SelfMadeHero and and will launch a US version of the company next spring with titles by Fernando Trueba and Javier Marisca, […]
People: Berstelsmann Promotes Rabe to CEO as Ostrowski Leaves; Redmayne Named Pottermore CEO
Bertelsmann announced Monday that ceo Hartmut Ostrowski is leaving his position after more than three years for “personal reasons” and will join the company’s supervisory board as chairman. Thomas Rabe, who has been cfo since 2006, will replace him as of January 1, 2012. Ostrowski first joined Bertelsmann in 1982 and has worked for the company in various functions, including the chief executive position at Arvato and chairman of Bertelsmann’s executive board. Various news sources reported the news in advance of Bertelsmann’s statement, with Reuters deeming Ostrowski’s departure a “surprise” because his contract was not due to expire until December […]
Levy Home Entertainment Is Sold
Levy Home Entertainment chair Barbara Levy Kipper and vice chair Jim Levy are retiring from the company and LHE has been sold to an entity run by former Chas. Levy Circulating president and coo Dennis Abboud. He left Levy in 2000 to found Infinity Resources, a marketing and service company he continues to run as ceo. PW says the company will be rebranded within six to nine month as Readerlink Distribution Services. Abbound says in a statement they “will strive to become the ‘reader link’– the essential link between our publishers, our retail partners and their customers. Our new strategy […]
People, Etc.
At Scholastic, Dani Nadel has been hired as chief digital marketing officer for Scholastic book clubs and e-commerce, reporting to Judy Newman. She was most recently president at digital agency Publicis Modem since 2008. In addition, Tom Burke has been promoted to chief e-commerce officer, book clubs and e-commerce. Christopher Davis will join Open Road as evp and chief operating officer, overseeing operations and financial matters, reporting to Jane Friedman, starting October 17. He was previously the svp of business operations for AOL/The Huffington Post Media Group. At Scribner, Katie Monaghan has been promoted to deputy director of publicity. Liz Hartman has […]