Book 'em: Cunningham, Kurtzman Join DC Comics

by Calvin Reid -- Publishers Weekly, 9/7/2005

Continuing its efforts to reorient its sales and marketing efforts towards the book trade, DC Comics has appointed two experienced book industry professionals to senior marketing positions. John Cunningham, former v-p and associate publisher at St. Martin's Press, has been named v-p of marketing; and Nellie Kurtzman, former associate director of marketing at S&S children's and its Spotlight Entertainment imprint, has been named director of marketing, reporting to Cunningham.

Stephanie Fierman, DC Comic's senior v-p of sales marketing, said the appointments continue a reorganization that began earlier this year to elevate the company's bookstore sales and marketing efforts and integrate them with that of the direct market (or comics shops), DC Comic's traditional retail channel. "Both appointments will help us learn more about new kinds of book formats; different markets from print and online to book clubs and help us in finding new readers," said Fierman.

She called Cunningham a "real comics fan," and noted that Kurtzman is the daughter of Harvey Kurtzman, co-founder of Mad magazine and a legendary figure in the comics industry.