People 1/18 - Publishers Lunch

Oprah Daily

Executive editor Leigh Newman has been promoted to Books Director, overseeing Oprah’s Book Club and all book related content on Oprah Daily and O Quarterly, reporting to Pilar Guzmán. Previously she was editor-in-chief and co-founder at both Zibby Books and Black Balloon/Catapult.

Harper Collins

Dan Schwartz has been named SVP, CFO for Harper Collins worldwide, effective January 23. He will report to ceo Brian Murray and sit on the global executive committee. Previously he had been CFO at Macmillan.

“I am delighted to welcome Dan to HarperCollins,” Murray said. “His deep publishing industry experience in finance coupled with his time working in consulting focused on media and entertainment make him uniquely qualified to help position us for the future.”

Viking Children's and Philomel

Tamar Brazis has been promoted to vp, publisher, newly reporting to Jen Loja, responsible for the business and publishing strategies of both imprints, while continuing to edit a select number of picture books.

Jill Santopolo has been promoted to vp, publisher of Philomel, reporting to Brazis. She will oversee the Philomel list, acquisitions, and publishing strategy, along with Brazis, while continuing to edit her own titles.

Beacon Press

Matt Davis has joined as CFO, reporting to director Gayatri Patnaik. He spent 32 years as vp, finance at Cengage Learning and its predecessor Thomson Learning.

National Ambassador for Young People's Literature

The Library of Congress named Meg Medina to the post. She is the first Hispanic to hold the position. She told NBC, “I’m pro-kid. I’m pro-library. I’m pro knowing about the world, and to that end I feel the strongest position we can be in is to be in conversation with kids about what they are reading.”

John Murray

Nicholas Pearson joins as publishing director. He was longtime editorial director at Fourth Estate until last summer.

Hachette Book Group

Radhika Parikh has joined as communications associate. Her previous roles include publishing coordinator at Disney Publishing and producer’s assistant for HBO’s The Plot Against America.

Dutton

Erika Semprun has joined as social media manager.

Candlewick Press

Anderson Bass has been promoted to mailroom supervisor.

Christos Spanos has been promoted to systems administrator.

McIntosh & Otis Literary Agency

Daniele Hunter has been promoted to junior agent.