Rachel Lodi joins Penguin Children’s as associate digital publicist. She was at Palgrave Macmillan. Ronald J. Domanico has joined the board of Books A Million. He recently retired from HD Supply, where he was svp and chief financial officer. Former Bertelsmann ceo Thomas Middelhoff, 61, was found guilty of 27 counts of embezzlement and three counts of tax evasion by a German court. (He was also a director of the NYT Company until earlier this year.) “If his appeal fails, Mr. Middelhoff will be expected to serve two years of the three-year sentence before being released on parole. He might […]
Personnel
Corporate: Opening Sales of Over 1 Million for Wimpy Kid, and PRH Launches Audio App
Abrams reports another strong opening week of sales for the latest Jeff Kinney book, DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE LONG HAUL. CEO Michael Jacobs says in the release sales “out of the gate have been exceptional and are accelerating briskly. Already more than 1 million copies have sold in the first seven days. He adds, “Our strategy of releasing the new book simultaneously in all the English language territories has shown the global power of Jeff’s books. With eight more countries set to publish The Long Haul before the end of the year, we’re confident that Diary of a […]
Cutbacks At Nook Include Executive Ranks
Barnes & Noble’s Nook division has eliminated an unspecified number of jobs as the company continues to manage costs in anticipation of a spinoff of Nook Media (or parts thereof) some time next year. The layoffs include three executives: Longtime team member Theresa Horner, vp, digital content and general manager of Nook Press, and one of the founding executives of Nook after joining Barnes & Noble in 2008; David Rowland, vp, ecommerce and Nook.com; and Jonathan Shar, vp, new media, who oversaw newsstand and video. Responding to our query on Wednesday, Barnes & Noble spokesperson Mary Ellen Keating confirmed by email: “We made […]
People, Etc.
Becky Nesbitt has resigned from Howard Books, where she was vp, editor-in-chief, “to spend more time with her family as well as pursue opportunities as a freelance editor,” according to the publisher’s announcement. Nesbitt, who will stay with Howard Books through the end of the year as a search for her replacement begins, joined the company in 2009. Katherine Tiernan McCahill has joined Penguin Random House as senior director, digital development. In addition, James Johnston has been promoted to svp, worldwide and US financial reporting, planning, and accounting. Alexis Gargagliano has joined Regan Arts as executive editor, working on fiction and […]
People
Doubleday vp, executive director of publicity Alison Rich will take on the additional role of associate publisher, Nan A. Talese Books, continuing to report to Suzanne Herz. In her new role Rich will be responsible for providing additional marketing and publicity support and “building social media followings and digital promotion” for the imprint. At Random House Canada, Lynn Henry is moving from Doubleday Canada to the new role of publishing director at Knopf Canada, reporting to Anne Collins. Amy Black will become associate publisher at Doubleday Canada, reporting to Kristin Cochrane. (Nita Pronovost and Tim Rostron will report to Black). Martha […]
People
Sarah Odedina “has decided to leave” Hot Key Books in the UK, which she started for Bonnier Publishing in 2011. Odedina is stepping down from her position as managing director immediately, but will stay with the company until April 30, 2015. Ed Park is leaving Amazon Publishing’s Little A imprint to join Penguin Press as an executive editor, focused on growing their fiction list. Editor of Amazon’s literary journal Day One Carmen Johnson will take over Park’s responsibilities at Little A. The NYT bills it is as “a major setback” — though his last announced acquisition was 16 months ago. Separately, Amazon’s […]