Perseus Cuts Staff, Titles
Perseus Books Group has laid off approximately 20 people and will reduce its list by about 100 titles in 2010. Perseus president David Steinberger said that despite earlier efforts to reduce costs, the severity of the recession made more actions necessary. In addition to the layoffs, a summer furlough program will be instituted and senior executives will take a pay cut. Most of the 20 jobs being eliminated are in publishing operations, with a few touching the distribution side. The layoffs represent about 3% of Perseus's total workforce.
Watrous Leaves Globe Pequot
Scott Watrous resigned last week after serving as president and publisher of the Globe Pequot Press for three years. Jim Joseph, COO of GPP, has assumed Watrous's duties on an interim basis. The former COO of Adams Media, Watrous sought to expand the Guilford, Conn.-based press's list beyond its two strongest categories, travel and outdoors. But in April of this year, GPP was forced to cut back. Although no one was laid off, some left, like group publisher Gary Krebs, who took a position with McGraw-Hill Professional.
New BN.com Executive
Jamie Iannone has been appointed executive v-p, shopping, Barnes & Noble.com and Barnes & Noble Digital. A former eBay executive, Iannone will be in charge of “managing various new business opportunities and other strategic initiatives” for the company as well as being responsible for meeting the buying needs of visitors to bn.com. Iannone will report directly to William Lynch, president of BN.com.
ScrollMotion, LibreDigital in Pact
ScrollMotion has signed an agreement with LibreDigital through which ScrollMotion will make LibreDigital's entire library of books, newspapers and magazines from such publishers and distributors as HarperCollins, Hachette, Simon & Schuster, Baker & Taylor and Wiley available on the iPhone.
Quebecor Reorg Plan Okayed
Creditors of Quebecor have approved the printer's reorganization plan, clearing the way for the company to exit bankruptcy in mid-July. A new board has also been proposed, to be led by former Donnelley chairman Mark Angelson, and the company signaled it will be looking at making acquisitions.
New Owner for Gareth Stevens
Roger Rosen, owner of Rosen Publishing, has teamed with Gary Spears to acquire Gareth Stevens Publishing from Reader's Digest. Spears will be president.
