Mike Symons has joined Parragon Books as CEO.
Symons, who was most recently group sales director for Penguin Random House U.K., replaces Paul Taylor, who becomes CEO of gift, toy, and accessories company Wild and Wolf. Both Parragon and Wild and Wolf are based in Bath, England, and are part of the DC Thomson family.
Symons has experience in the U.K., European, North American, and Australian publishing markets, all of which are served by Parragon and its 350 employees globally. The company is known for its books and gifts, produced under license with Disney, Nickelodeon, Eric Carle Studios, and other major brands.
Parragon also has proprietary brands including Little Learners, Start Little Learn Big, Gold Stars, and Factivity. Formats range from board books, novelty titles, and coloring books, to picture books, annuals, and gift tins.
