David Steinberger is stepping down as CEO of Arcadia Publishing and will be succeeded in the role by Brittain Phillips, currently director of business development.
Steinberger, former CEO of Perseus Books Group, was part of a group that acquired Arcadia in 2018. Other owners are former Penguin CEO and current Snap chairman Michael Lynton and business executive Lili Lynton. Steinberger remains an Arcadia investor, and will join the company board.
Arcadia specializes in publishing regional and hyperlocal books. Since it was acquired by the Lynton group, Arcadia has made a series of acquisitions including the purchase of Pelican Publishing, River Road Press, and the Wildsam book line. It also launched a children’s book imprint. The company currently has a backlist of 17,000 titles.
Steinberger told PW Arcadia will continue to focus on building its presence in the regional book market. “It has been working very well,” he said of the local publishing strategy. “December was the best month in Arcadia’s history, with sales up 27% over last December.”
“David has been critical to Arcadia’s development, and we are grateful that we will now have his guidance as a board member as we continue to develop our local and regional vision,” said Lynton. “Having set Arcadia on an outstanding growth path, David is ready to step away from day-to-day leadership of the business, and turn the reins over to Brittain.”
Phillips joined Arcadia in 2014 after more than a decade with the History Press, where he oversaw sales and marketing before serving as chief operating officer. “David launched us on a program of growth that has taken Arcadia beyond its traditional roots, and we’re excited to build on that vision,” Phillips said in a statement.
