Amazon Media Segment Up 8%
Revenue in Amazon's North America media segment rose 8% in the first quarter ended March 31, to $1.30 billion. The gains were better than the 7% recorded in last year's fourth quarter, but well below the increase in total revenue of 18%, to $4.89 billion, reported for the entire company. Net income rose to $177 million from $143 million. Sales gains were driven by the retailer's electronics and other general merchandise segment in both North America and abroad, which had gains of 42% and 34%, respectively. Kindle's revenues are included in the electronics segment, and sales of the e-reader exceeded expectations. For the second quarter, Amazon forecasted growth between 6% and 17%.
Next Brown Due in September
Doubleday will publish The Lost Symbol, Dan Brown's long-awaited follow-up to The Da Vinci Code on September 15. Random House is setting a five-million-copy first printing, which covers 12 hours in the life of Da Vinci protagonist Robert Langdon.
New Digital Role for Gompertz
Mark Gompertz, publisher of Simon & Schuster's Touchstone Fireside imprint, has been named to the newly created position of executive v-p, digital publishing. S&S CEO Carolyn Reidy, to whom Gompertz will report, expects Gompertz to bring an editorial perspective to the company's evolving digital publishing program. Gompertz will work with Ellie Hirschhorn, head of S&S Digital. He will continue to oversee Howard Books.
Creamer Replaces Gompertz
With Mark Gompertz's promotion, S&S appointed Stacy Creamer publisher of the Touchstone Fireside imprint. Creamer, who starts May 11, has been v-p and editor-in-chief of Random House's Broadway Books imprint. She will report to Martha Levin, executive v-p and publisher of the Free Press.
In a note to employees of the Crown Publishing Group, home to Broadway, division president Jenny Frost assured the staff that Random remains committed to Broadway. She said the company is looking for someone to succeed Creamer as editor-in-chief, as well as a new senior editor.
Book Rights Registry Closer
The BISG has signed an agreement with the AAP and the Authors Guild giving the association the task of preparing the groundwork for launching the Book Rights Registry. BISG executive director Michael Healy will spearhead the work of developing the BRR, which will serve as a clearinghouse for information and payments when the Google settlement is approved.
DNAML Rollout
Aiming at the growing Netbook, small laptop computer market, Australia-based software and e-book developer DNAML has announced plans to release more than 31,000 of its DNL format e-books by late summer. Many of the major American publishers have books in the program.
Cuts at MHSP
In response to an expected 45% cut in funding from the state, St. Paul—based Minnesota Historical Society Press (MHSP) plans to decrease its annual book production by 30% and eliminate four positions from its 11-person staff. A final decision on the budget is expected in late May or early June. The four positions to be cut will include two in editorial and two in administrative support.
