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International News
Waterstone's Sales Decline 6.3% for the Year. As Profit Evaporates
Waterstone’s parent HMV reported good sales for the overall group for fiscal 2009, reaching a new high of 2.017 billion pounds, though “the one area of disappointment was in the financial performance” of the bookselling unit. At 513.6 million pounds for the year, Waterstone’s sales fell 6.3 percent, as operating profit was just 2.8 million pounds, a significant decline from 10 million pounds a year ago. The company says that their previously-announced new strategic plan “is already beginning to have a positive impact.” On their controversial new distribution center, they say “it is clear that the implementation…also adversely impacted performance […]
Abrams and Chronicle In Joint Venture to Sell and Market in UK and Europe
Abrams and Chronicle are announcing a UK joint venture in which the UK sales and marketing group Abrams has run since 2004 is expanding to handle both titles from both companies. Called Abrams & Chronicle Books, under managing director Chuck Lang the unit will have a staff of 11 sales and marketing professionals. In addition to the Abrams and Chronicle lists, the company will continue to distribute “a select group of US and international publishers” and recruit “new complementary” clients. New international sales director David Gooding and eight export reps will handle sales and distribution throughout Europe, “where the new […]
Davidar's Attorney Says Was "A Consensual, Flirtatious Relationship"
In advance of a formal reply to the court, former Penguin Canada ceo David Davidar’s attorney Peter Downard released a statement, saying “the public attacks require Mr. Davidar’s response.” Their story is that “Davidar had a consensual, flirtatious relationship that grew out of a close friendship with a colleague” and they imply that Rundle turned it into a dispute after he decided “their relationship should be confined to business.” Davidar says that in 2007 “their friendship became flirtatious” and he “suggested to Ms. Rundle that their relationship become more romantic.” The statement claims ebbs and flows in that flirtation, but […]
Controversial Books: Anne Frank Novel; Supposed Diary of Former Chinese Premier
London’s Sunday Times reported on YA writer Sharon Dogar’s forthcoming ANNEXED, set for publication in September by Andersen Press in the UK (part of Random UK) and October from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in the US. A novelized version of the story of Peter van Pels, whose family hid in the same building in Amsterdam as Anne Frank and her family during WWII, the catalog copy says it explores “What was it like to be forced into hiding with Anne Frank, first to hate her and then to find yourself falling in love with her?” The Times article says it includes […]
Rundle Claims Others at Penguin Knew About Davidar's "Behavior"
In Lisa Rundle’s legal filing against Penguin Canada and former president David Davidar, she also alleges that Davidar’s behavior was well-known within the publisher’s offices. Rundle’s action says that “colleagues would approach Lisa and inquire as to the reasons for his strange behavior during meetings.” It claims that the vp of business development and the business manager approached her “several times over the course of the three-year harassment.” The claim also says that Rundle “confided” in current publisher Nicole Winstanley (referred to as N.W. in the court papers) “for the final two years of the harassment” and Davidar’s executive assistant […]