Stuart Applebaum, who rose from a publicist at Bantam Books to become the dean of corporate communications directors in the publishing industry, has been named emeritus executive v-p, corporate communications at Penguin Random House and Claire von Schilling has been promoted to senior v-p, director, corporate communications and will run the day-to-day operations of the department.
Von Schilling has been at PRH for three years, after working with parent company Bertelsmann and Sony Music for about 10 years. In her new role, in which she will report to PRH CEO Markus Dohle, von Schilling will direct both PRH’s external and internal communications, branding, and corporate social responsibility programs.
For his part, Applebaum, entering his 43rd year in publishing, will, in the words of Dohle, “assume a new full-time role that is as unique as he is: emeritus executive v-p, corporate communications. From his office, and online, Stuart will continue the excellent collaboration he has with Claire, advising her and working with our colleagues on key communications issues and opportunities.”
In his memo, Dohle cited Applebaum’s long tenure with the companies that grew from Bantam, including Bantam Doubleday Dell, Random House, and Penguin Random House; he also celebrated Applebaum’s “24/7 work ethic.”
Applebaum, Dohle noted, “has had a career like no other in our company--or our industry.” The CEO then pointed to both Applebaum's 20 years developing publicity campaigns for a range of authors, as well as his over two decades leading the communications efforts of the industry’s largest publisher.
“On behalf of our company, including our publishers, editors, sales representatives, and corporate managers, and those several generations and legacy companies before us, Stuart has presented and explained--with clarity, intelligence and farsightedness--our news, our vision, and our values to the wider world. What stands out to me most about Stuart is not just the decades and volumes of accomplishment from his 24/7 work ethic, but his ongoing drive and commitment to our company. I know you join me in expressing immense appreciation and admiration for him,” Dohle concluded.
