Michael Jacobs has stepped down as senior v-p of Scholastic's trade division and will leave the company next month, after completing some special retail projects for Barbara Marcus, president of Scholastic's book publishing and distribution group. Jacobs came to Scholastic from Simon & Schuster in late 1997, where he was publisher of the Free Press. At Scholastic, Jacobs was responsible for the trade division's sales, marketing, finance and operations functions.
Until a replacement is found, Marcus will direct the trade unit, although Ellie Berger, who has been v-p, deputy publisher and publisher of licensed books, will oversee the day-to-day sales and marketing functions as acting general manager. Jean Feiwel, senior v-p and publisher, will continue to direct the trade division's editorial operations.
Jacobs told PW he is "looking forward to trying some different things," both inside and outside of the publishing industry. "I think it's a good time to stretch myself, to find out what I'm capable of," Jacobs said, "I'll be multitasking for a while."
During his tenure at Scholastic, the trade division grew from sales of $87 million in fiscal 1998 to $208 million in the year ended May 31, 2003. Jacobs has had a hand in publishing all of the Harry Potter titles to date, including Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which was the fastest-selling book in publishing history.
