Nelson combines ministry sales and retail sales teams Print
Sunday, 08 June 2008 08:00 PM America/New_York

Thomas Nelson Publishers is to join its two Christian sales divisions, Christian Retail Sales and Nelson Ministry and Direct Sales, into one group responsible for selling to churches, ministries and retailers. The move is designed to promote collaboration between groups that had been competing, according to President and CEO Michael Hyatt.

The sales' division's ministry arm will change its name from Nelson Ministry and Nelson Direct to the Ministry Development Group, and together with Christian Retail Sales will be under the leadership of Senior Vice President Gary Davidson. He has been with Nelson for 11 years, and a part of its Christian Retails Sales team for the last six.

"Direct-to-church efforts have been a source of frustration for our retailers, as they've found themselves in the awkward position of competing with their own suppliers," said Steve Potratz, owner and founder of The Parable Group, in a statement for the Nelson announcement. "Thomas Nelson has listened to our concerns."

Potratz added that he hoped that the Ministry Development Group would be able to help independent Christian retailers grow sales with local churches.