The New Look at Doubleday Broadway: Autonomous Houses

The newly reorganized Doubleday Broadway Publishing Group at Random House will maintain the autonomy and distinctiveness of its publishing programs, and agents are invited to submit to both houses -- "simultaneously, if they wish," said Stephen Rubin, president of the new group.

He made the observation as he announced the new structure, involving eight senior managers, all reporting to Rubin.

They are Bob Asahina, promoted to senior v-p and deputy publisher at Broadway while continuing as editor-in-chief, and his team: executive editor Charles Conrad, associate publisher Tracy Behar, executive editor Harriet Bell, senior editors Lauren Marino and Suzanne Oaks, and editor Luke Dempsey.

William Thomas is v-p and editor-in-chief at Doubleday; his staff is executive editor Deb Futter and senior editors Shawn Coyne, Janet Hill, Judith Kern and Amy Schiebe.

Gerald Howard is promoted to v-p, executive editor, Doubleday Broadway; he will acquire books for both houses and will work closely with Conrad for the Anchor trade paperback line. Reporting to him is senior editor Jennifer Griffin, acquiring for Main Street.

Eric Major will serve in a new post as v-p and director of Doubleday's Religion Division. Dan Rich, WaterBrook president, and the Doubleday Religion staff report to him.

Nan A. Talese continues to run her own imprint with her present staff.

Michael Palgon has the new position of senior v-p and deputy publisher. Reporting to him are Robert Allen, new v-p and director of sales management and planning; Rebecca Holland, new publishing manager; Carol Lazare, v-p of sub rights; Roger Scholl, executive editor of Currency, which will do business books for both houses; and copy chief Harold Grabau.

Jacqueline Everley will head the new joint marketing team as v-p executive director of marketing. Her reports: Doubleday marketing director John Pitts, and a Broadway exec to be named soon; Mario Pulice, v-p, creative director, with Broadway's Roberto de Vicq de Comptich reporting to him; and advertising director Judy Jacoby.

Suzanne Herz is v-p and executive director of publicity. Her staff are Suzy Zengo Nolan, new Doubleday publicity director; Debbie Stier, new Broadway publicity director; and Nancy Clare Morgan, new publicity manager for Doubleday Religion Division.

A spokesperson for the new group stressed that no jobs or staff had been lost in the changes.