U.K.-based Bloomsbury is restructuring its global operations, forming four worldwide divisions organized along categories rather than structuring the company along geographic lines. The move, which includes the appointment of Emma Hopkin to oversee Bloomsbury’s children’s and educational division, is being made in response to the overall globalization of publishing, including the worldwide presence of some of Bloomsbury’s biggest customers—Amazon, Apple and Google.
In addition to the appointment of Hopkin, the managing directors of the other Bloomsbury divisions are Richard Charkin, adult trade (which includes a number of lines from A&C Black); Jonathan Glasspool, academic & professional; and Kathy Rooney, Bloomsbury information and business development.
Under the reorganization, Bloomsbury USA head George Gibson will continue to report to Charkin, but Bloomsbury veteran Alexandra Pringle has been appointed to the new role of coordinating acquisitions for Bloomsbury’s operations in the U.S., U.K. Germany and Australia. “We want world rights wherever possible,” Charkin said, adding at a minimum Bloomsbury expects to acquire all English-language, German and Arabic rights. And, Charkin noted, Bloomsbury won’t do a deal that doesn’t include digital rights. He said the number of titles released in the U.S. annualy could rise as books acquired in other regions are released in the States. In addition to the global reach of Amazon, Apple and Google in digital distribution, agents and printers have also expanded internationally, Charkin said, making it imperative for publishers to keep up.
With Hopkin’s appointment to head the children’s group, Sarah Odedina has been named publishing director for children’s fiction and will add the role of international group editor in chief of acquisitions for fiction. Jayne Parsons has been named publishing director of nonfiction. Both will report to Hopkin as will Melanie Cecka, publishing director of Bloomsbury USA Children's Books and Walker Books for Young Readers. Hopkin, currently managing director of Macmillan Children's Books, will join Bloomsbury May 3.
