Maria Rodale, who took over as chairman and ceo of the family-owned company in 2009 from Steve Murphy, told staff in a memo last week “we have begun a search to fill two important roles — a president and chief operating officer — each of whom will report to me.” Random House Children’s Group has announced a number of changes and additions to its marketing division. Kimberly Lauber has joined as director of marketing, having previously worked as director of marketing and publicity, children’s books for Chronicle Books. Laura Antonacci will join the School and Library team on August 12 […]
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People: Adjustments at Westview, and More
Perseus Books Group group publisher Bill Newlin announced some changes at the Westview Press unit which reports to him, to “meet [the] challenges” as textbook publishing is in transition, “beginning with a reconfigured editorial department based in Berkeley, and an expanded marketing department based in Boulder.” Associate editorial director Toby Wahl, senior acquisitions editor Leanne Silverman, and editorial assistant Brooke Smith are leaving the company. Avalon acquisitions director Grace Fujimoto will now manage Westview acquisitions as well as travel, reporting to Newlin. Fujimoto will chair an acquisitions committee that includes Westview publisher Cathleen Tetro and Newlin. Joining Westview in Boulder […]
Briefs: Banks and Perseus Funds Sue Frank Pearl’s Estate; German Publisher Is Rowling Winner; And More
The estate of financier and Perseus Books founder Frank Pearl, who died in May 2012, is being sued by Bank of America, TD Bank, Eagle Bank and even Perseus Funds for more than $50 million, according to the Washington Post, alleging he “sought to avoid payment to creditors by fraudulently moving $59 million in life insurance proceeds and other assets from his estate into Perseus Trust, which he had created for his wife” after being diagnosed with terminal cancer in November 2011. Bank of America seeks $22 million; TD Bank and Eagle Bank are asking for more than $16 million […]
People, Etc.
At Other Press, Marjorie DeWitt has been promoted to editor. The Book Industry Study Group (BISG) announced three new hires, along with a new organizational structure “around our core competencies of standards, research, and education, and supported by our first real coordinated marketing effort.” Thomson Guster is coordinator of education and events, and Julie Morris is project manager, standards and best practices (she was project manager for the web production team at Columbia University’s Center for Digital Research and Scholarship). Jeanette Zwart is focused on marketing strategy, after working as vp, sales at Harper Collins, and current staff member Nadine […]
Chapman and Others Rise at S&S UK/International, As MacRae Resigns
Simon & Schuster UK ceo and managing director since 2000 Ian Chapman has been promoted to chief executive and publisher for both Simon & Schuster UK and International. (Chapman had already previously taken on oversight for S&S Australia and S&S India.) CEO Carolyn Reidy writes that “going forward, Ian will continue to apply his considerable publishing and leadership skills across all aspects of our UK and international companies as we seek an even greater level of coordination and growth across all our international publishing. He has assembled a terrific team to help him accomplish those and I know that wonderful […]
People, Etc.
Former Free Press editor-in-chief Dominick Anfuso will join Crown Archetype on July 29 as vp, executive Editor, reporting to Mauro DiPreta. Anfuso will acquire and edit titles for Archetype, Harmony, Crown Business, and Crown Forum. Former Hyperion editor Matt Inman also joins the company, this week, as editor for Crown Archetype and Three Rivers Press. Additionally, consulting editor-at-large Heather Jackson has been named vp, executive editor for Harmony, newly reporting to DiPreta. Frances Foster, who has worked in children’s book publishing for 55 years and run Frances Foster Books, an imprint of FSG Children’s, since 1994, is retiring after a […]