Christian Retailing

Crossway announces several promotions Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Friday, 10 September 2010 02:49 PM America/New_York
Crossway has announced several promotions, including Geoffrey Dennis promoted from vice president of sales and marketing to chief operating officer.

In his new position, Dennis--who has worked for 20 years for Crossway--will oversee the company's operations, digital media, sales and marketing, and the Good News tract division.

Randy Jahns has also been promoted from senior vice president of Bible production and ministry to the new position of senior vice president of sales and marketing. In addition to sales and marketing, Jahns--who has worked for 18 years for Crossway--will continue to oversee ESV Bible production and ministry.

Meanwhile, Allan Fisher has been promoted from senior vice president of book publishing to the new position of senior vice president, book publisher. In his new role, Fisher--who has worked for five years for Crossway--will oversee the company's trade and academic book publishing program, including content development for the ESV Bible and related resources.

In addition, Ray Elliott has been promoted to the position of executive director of media architecture. Elliott has served Crossway in the areas of information technology and media for more than 25 years, including the development of the software used to automate the typesetting for the ESV Study Bible and other ESV Bible editions.

Additionally, Dane Ortlund recently joined Crossway as senior editor of the Crossway Bible division, and will oversee the development of content for ESV Bible editions and resources. Mark Hendrie also recently joined Crossway as director of information technology. Hendrie has served a number of companies in the areas of information technology and software development, including David C. Cook.

 
B&H Fiction names manager of Pure Enjoyment line Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Tuesday, 24 August 2010 12:34 PM America/New_York
B&H Fiction has named Julie Gwinn as the manager of its Pure Enjoyment line. Formerly the marketing specialist for B&H Fiction, Gwinn will remain in charge of marketing, but will also take over the business side of running the line such as generating proposals, looking at comparable title data and managing budgets for individual titles.

Karen Ball, executive editor for the Pure Enjoyment line, will continue to manage author relationships, bring new acquisitions and edit novels.

"I'm excited about where the line is going," Ball said. "And Julie's creativity and passion for our authors and books have been a large part of our success. This change shows B&H's continued support for Pure Enjoyment."

 
B&H Academic director of acquisitions named Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Wednesday, 18 August 2010 02:35 PM America/New_York
B&H Publishing Group has announced the hiring of Andreas Köstenberger as director of acquisitions for B&H Academic, effective Sept. 1.

Köstenberger will continue to serve as director of Ph.D. studies and professor of New Testament and biblical theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C. Köstenberger also serves as editor of the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society.

"It is my firm expectation that Dr. Köstenberger will utilize his knowledge as a scholar and his expertise in leading others to enhance B&H's commitment to and effectiveness in academic publishing for all of our colleges and seminaries, and ultimately for the sake of the local church," said Brad Waggoner, president and publisher of B&H Publishing Group.

In addition to his classroom and editorial posts, Köstenberger is the founding president of Biblical Foundations, an organization with the aim of "restoring the biblical foundations of the home, the church and society." He is also the author, editor and translator of more than 20 books.

 
Harvest House hires international sales manager Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Wednesday, 11 August 2010 04:12 PM America/New_York
Harvest House Publishers has announced the hiring of Kathy Landrum as international and specialty markets sales manager, effective Aug. 30.

"We are excited that someone with Kathy's experience and industry expertise has joined Harvest House at this critical time when international markets are expanding," Harvest House Vice President of Sales John Constance said.

Landrum's publishing experience includes 12 years at Howard Books, most recently serving as a sales manager and overseeing a sales team of more than 200 account representatives through various regional and national gift market management groups.

Prior to working for Howard, Landrum operated her own media company and worked as a television account executive. Landrum's responsibilities at Harvest House will include oversight, development and management of international distributors, international retailers, ministry and other specialty market accounts. A professional speaker, Landrum established a ministry for single mothers.

 
WaterBrook Multnomah increases publicity staff Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Wednesday, 11 August 2010 03:30 PM America/New_York
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group has announced the the hiring of Cindy Brovsky as publicist and Laura Tucker as publicity assistant.

Brovsky has 20 years experience working as a newspaper reporter with the Associated Press, The Denver Post, Greeley Tribune and Durango Herald. She was part of the Post staff awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1999 for coverage of the Columbine High School shootings. In 2007, Brovsky co-wrote former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb's autobiography, Wellington Webb: The Mayor, The Man, and the Making of Modern Denver (Fulcrum Publishing).

Tucker returns to WaterBrook Multnomah, where she worked from 2005-2006 as receptionist and production assistant. From 2006-2009, Tucker served as assistant director of the college and 20-something ministry of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colo.

 
Thomas Nelson Bible Group adds acquisitions editor Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Tuesday, 03 August 2010 09:42 AM America/New_York
Thomas Nelson Bible Group has announced the hiring of Tony Peterson as associate acquisitions editor.

Peterson's "shared belief in honoring God and inspiring all people blended with his past publishing experience makes him a perfect addition to our team," said Gary Davidson, senior vice president and publisher for Nelson's Bible, Reference and Curriculum Group.

A 19-year publishing veteran, Peterson previously worked in acquisition of trade books, project management and internal communications for the General Board of Discipleship. During his time at the United Methodist Publishing House, he was involved in manuscript development, rights and permissions, and development of electronic resources. He has also written Bible studies, Sunday school curriculum, Christian liturgy and commentary.

"I have a thirst for continual learning and for assisting others in that process," Peterson said. "It's an honor to be joining a team dedicated to helping people grow in Christlikeness by growing in their knowledge in and understanding of the Bible."

 
New president and CEO of Word Entertainment named Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Thursday, 29 July 2010 10:25 AM America/New_York
Rod Riley has been named president and CEO of Word Entertainment, Warner Music Group's (WMG) Christian music division.

Riley has served as chief operating officer of Word Entertainment since 2008, and has been responsible for all the business operations of Word Label Group, Word Music Publishing, Word Distribution and Word Music. Since joining Word Entertainment in 2005 as senior vice president of marketing, he has been instrumental in revitalizing the company's staff and artist roster as well as launching or acquiring businesses in merchandising, e-commerce, artist booking, touring, brand management and sponsorship.

In his new role, Riley will oversee Word's entire operation, including artists and repertoire (A&R), sales and marketing, music publishing, distribution, church resources and artist services. Riley succeeds Mark Bright and will report directly to John Esposito, president and CEO of Warner Music Nashville (WMN), the Nashville-based music operations of WMG.

One of Nashville's most acclaimed producers, Bright will continue to work with WMN under the terms of his existing production deal with Warner Bros. Nashville.

"I am deeply honored to accept this role as we prepare to enter Word's 60th year of making Christian music," Riley said. "It's been a great pleasure to work as part of the Word organization, especially since it has meant seeing this team bring about consistently incredible results-both in our established businesses as well as in all of the new areas we have entered."

Mike Curb, chairman of Word Entertainment, added: "I believe that Rod Riley is the perfect choice to lead Word into the next decade. He has the vision and the experience to meet this major challenge."

Prior to joining Word, Riley served as senior director of sales at Provident Music, Sony Music's Christian music label. In 1999, while still with Sony, Riley and his wife, Susan, launched Fervent Records-a record label that now has artists such as BarlowGirl, Francesca Battistelli, Group 1 Crew, Sidewalk Prophets, PureNRG and Big Daddy Weave. Originally distributed through Sony, Riley sold Fervent to Word Entertainment in 2005.

 
DaySpring names new vice president of strategic marketing Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Wednesday, 21 July 2010 11:42 AM America/New_York
DaySpring has named Kathleen Turner as its new vice president of strategic marketing.

"We are so fortunate to have someone of Kathleen's experience available to us right here in Northwest Arkansas," said James Barnett, president of DaySpring. "Kathleen is a classically trained marketer and very skilled in the science of consumer insights and research analysis."

Before joining DaySpring earlier this year, Turner worked for Sam's Club, where she served as senior director of consumer strategy. Prior to her time at Sam's Club, Turner was the director of consumer insights at Tyson Foods, Inc. For 20 years, she led her own consulting firm and advertising agency, whose clients included American Airlines, Frito-Lay, Coca-Cola and Ernst and Young.