RD Revamps Books Are Fun, Cuts 46  

By Jim Milliot and Claire Kirch -- Publishers Weekly, 10/29/2008 7:25:00 AM

Reader’s Digest has reorganized its Books Are Fun subsidiary, a process that moved more of its buying and product sourcing to the parent company and also resulted in the elimination of 46 out of the company’s 140 positions. Over the past several years, BAF has struggled to improve its profitability and the restructuring is key to turning around the fortunes of the country’s largest display marketer, said a RD company spokesperson. The jobs eliminated ranged from customer service to v-ps of certain divisions. As part of the reorganization, Barb Wing has been promoted to v-p of sales and all sales operations have been consolidated under her. The five regional managers in the corporate fair division and the five regional managers in the school display division now report to Wing as does Mark Hess, head of BAF’s business display and daycare lines.

In a memo to BAF sales reps, BAF president Dave Krishock said centralizing the sales and communication functions “will allow your regional managers to continue working with you on developing your business with more consistent communications, timelier outreach and ongoing support.” BAF’s sales reps are independent contractors who sell BAF’s lines, which range from books to gifts, although under the restructuring BAF will be returning more of its focus to books. To improve the efficiency of its buying, Harold Clarke, president and publisher of RD Community Books, Music and Trade Publishing, will take over much of the sourcing and purchasing for BAF.