Beginning May 1, Chicago-based Independent Publishers Group will bring field sales in-house and discontinue using commission sales reps, as it has in the past.
The company's new in-house field sales team will focus on three territories —East coast, Midwest, and West Coast—and will be headed by Michael Riley, v-p of sales. Chis Conti, previously Midwest sales manager of Phaidon Press, has been hired to the new position of trade sales manager, and will cover the Midwest for IPG. Reps covering the other territories have yet to be announced.
“This is an opportunity to deepen our relationships with booksellers and partner with them more closely to bring independent voices to readers,” said Riley of the change.
The new field sales team will work directly with independent bookstores and other trade accounts across the U.S. A corporate sales team will focus on national accounts, library and education accounts, and special sales accounts. The Manda Group will continue to represent IPG in Canada, reporting to Scott Hatfill, IPG’s director of international sales.
