Liebmann Rises At Random

-- Publishers Weekly, 8/23/1999

Ruth Liebmann has been promoted to director of independent bookselling at Random House Inc., one of a series of new appointments as the giant continues to restructure its sales operations, including its special markets department.

Liebmann, a former bookseller herself, was formerly marketing manager for Random's trade sales group. Announcing her appointment, Don Weisberg, president of the Random sales group, said Liebmann would now "have a chance to practice her uniquely persuasive selling techniques on behalf of all our publishers' titles." She will also continue to offer her news service to independents, including Just-the-Fax and Bookseller Confidential.

In other appointments within the group, Sheryl Stebbins was named v-p and marketing director for the trade publishing and information groups, and Joy Dallanegra-Sanger, Knopf marketing director, was also made a v-p.

In the special markets department, John Groton was named v-p for premium and diversified sales companywide, having previously done the job for Random East (as the old Random House is now known). Andrew Stanley, another East alumnus, was promoted to director of specialty retail and wholesale sales for Random House Inc.

In the Value Publishing division of the diversified sales group, Jarvis Melton, formerly director of special markets for BDD, was named v-p and director of sales. Ronald Palmer, who formerly held that spot, takes the newly created position of v-p of proprietary sales. Both report to Lynn Bond, president of Value Publishing.