Borders will close what remains of their distribution center in LaVergne, TN by mid-July, providing notice to approximately 300 employees that they will be let go. The company closed a returns center at the same location last year. They say it is part of their “long-term plan to enhance the efficiency of its distribution network and reduce operating expenses.” The company added in a statement, “After an extensive review of its supply chain, the company found it has excess capacity in its distribution network and requires only two distribution centers to process and ship inventory to stores.” They also have […]
People, Awards, Etc.
The Association of American Publishers (AAP) has hired Andi Sporkin for the new position of vp, communications, reporting to president Tom Allen. Sporkin will “develop and direct integrated communications, external outreach and marketing for AAP’s advocacy efforts.” Her responsibilities will include legal, legislative and regulatory communications; media relations; industry branding initiatives; public affairs; and management of AAP’s Communications team. Sporkin was vp, communications at NPR from 2005-2008, worked for CBS for 13 years, and also led communications divisions at Disney and Sony Pictures. National Book Network has eliminated six positions in their sales force, which company head Jed Lyons says […]
eNews: BAM Launches Reader App with Bluefire; S&S Joins Foursquare; Nelson Enrolls 20,000 Bloggers
Books-a-Million has launched their own reading app for the iOS platform, which works with Adobe’s DRM and they say will display ebooks originally purchased for the Nook. (BAM sells the Nook devices through their physical and online stores.) An offer on the BAM web site promises $100 in coupons with the first ebook purchase through the app. It looks as if the app was released in late November, but BAM has just put out a press release touting it today. It was created by Bluefire Productions, which says this is their “first private label application.” On the release date issue, […]
The Mystery Bookstore To Close on January 31
Just days after Borders closed its Westwood store, the west side Los Angeles neighborhood learned it will lose another: The Mystery Bookstore will close its doors on January 31. In a note to authors and customers sent Tuesday afternoon, owners Kirk Pasich and Pamela Woods said, “We simply cannot compete with the Amazons of the world and the impact of the economy.” A note on the store’s website adds “We’ve been proud and grateful to serve you. We treasure the friendships we’ve made through the store, and hope to keep them, wherever we all scatter, as we keep reading and […]
Service for Barron Announced
The memorial service for Manie Barron has been announced: St. Bartholomew’s Church 325 Park Avenue (betw. 50th and 51st) Saturday, February 5, 2011 11:00 a.m. with reception to follow He died of a hemorrhage the morning on January 8, while undergoing treatment for lung cancer. Barron began his nearly three-decade career in publishing as a bookseller at the Doubleday bookstore at South Street Seaport in Manhattan. He became a buyer for Golden Lee book distributors, from where he was recruited as a founding member of the Random House telephone sales team. He transitioned from sales to editorial, laying the foundation […]
Lehman “Wasn’t the Perfect Fit”
In Grand Central’s announcement today of Susan Lehman’s abrupt departure from the high-profile role of publisher of Twelve–for which she was hired in late September after a lengthy search process–the company stands by GCP publisher Jamie Raab’s brief quote, “unfortunately, the role of Publisher just wasn’t the perfect fit.” Lehman did not acquire any books while there, and the unit was without any publisher for four months last summer following Jonathan Karp’s departure for Simon & Schuster in June. New publisher Cary Goldstein admits the imprint had “been in a little bit of a holding pattern.” Lehman tells the AP with […]