Ingram Forms Ingram Content Group
Ingram has formed the Ingram Content Group Inc. and will move its newest business, Ingram Digital, into the company that already includes the Ingram Book Group and Lightning Source. Skip Prichard will oversee the operation as president and CEO of Ingram Content Group. Ingram chairman John Ingram said the reorganization is in line with his vision of providing customers and clients with a “one-stop place to go to have their digital and print distribution needs met.” As part of the integration, Frank Daniels will step down as chief commercial officer of Ingram Digital in July.
Sales Up, Earnings Down At Indigo
Indigo Books & Music reported a sales gain of 1.9% in the fiscal year ended March 28, 2009, with revenue of C$940.4 million ($1.3 billion at current exchange rates). Net income fell to C$30.7 million from C$52.8 million; in 2009, Indigo paid taxes of C$15.1 million compared to a tax recovery of C$8.8 million in the previous year. During the year, Indigo launched its Shortcovers digital program and opened Pistachio, an eco-lifestyle store.
New Appointments At Howard Books
Howard Books, Simon & Schuster’s Christian book imprint, has hired Becky Nesbitt as v-p and editor-in-chief, effective June 1. Jennifer Willingham has also joined the company as v-p, publicity. Nesbitt was most recently associate publisher for nonfiction at Tyndale House; Willingham was most recently at Guideposts Books.
Phoenix Starts Children’s Unit
Phoenix Books is launching a children’s division and will publish its first title in September under the already existing Dove imprint. The line will also include a series for tweens called I ?..., about such celebrities as Taylor Swift, Robert Pattinson, Selena Gomez and the Jonas Brothers. Gray Peterson, v-p of sales and marketing, will oversee the program, taking on the additional title of associate publisher of children’s books. The books will span multiple formats and thematically will mirror Phoenix’s adult books: entertainment-oriented books by or about celebrities.
Bowen to Join Greenburger
Brenda Bowen, who left HarperCollins in February, will join Sanford J. Greenburger Associates as an agent, beginning July 6. Bowen will represent authors and illustrators of children’s books for all ages (preschool to teen) as well as graphic novels.
Amazon Breakthrough Winner Chosen
James King, a freelance corporate writer, has won the second annual Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. King is the author of Bill Warrington’s Last Chance, and he landed a $25,000 contract with Viking. Amazon customers selected King’s book, the story of a Korean War veteran diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, as the grand prize winner. The house plans to publish the book in hardcover in 2010, with Molly Stern and Liz Van Hoose editing.
