Matt Hurley, a sales rep for Publishers Weekly from 1989 to 2011, died on April 22. He was 64.
Hurley first joined PW as Midwest sales manager in 1989, calling on accounts throughout the region. Over time, his responsibilities grew to include publisher accounts throughout the U.S., while also calling on publishers in Canada and northern Europe. Hurley also led the push to expand PW’s coverage of religious and spirituality publishing in the 1990s, and coverage of that segment of the market was expanded again in 2011. Hurley saw the broadening of the religion market as part of his commitment to serving the needs of the changing publishing and bookselling community. Health issues forced Hurley to retire in late 2011 when he moved to Fort Pierce, Fla., where he remained active in many volunteer activities.
Cevin Bryerman, PW publisher and CEO and Hurley’s former boss, recalled Hurley as a great colleague committed to doing what was right for his clients. “Matt was a friendly, gregarious colleague and a pleasure to work with. He was a true professional in every sense, dedicated to helping publishers find the best way to reach their trade clients. Most importantly, Matt was a good friend. The PW family mourns his loss.”
A celebration of Hurley’s life and a traditional Irish wake will be held June 14 at St. Benedict’s Church in Fontana, Wis. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Benedict’s Church Choir in Fontana.
