TODAY'S NEWS

Random Results Off; B’mann to Sell Clubs
by Jim Milliot
Sales and earnings both fell last year at Random House, a development parent company Bertelsmann attributed mainly to the weak dollar plus a slowing U.S. economy. Worldwide revenue at Random fell 5.6%, to 1.84 billion euros ($2.39 billion), and earnings before interest and taxes declined 4.9%, to 173 million euros ($225 million). In addition to currency fluctuations, Random head Peter Olson acknowledged in his letter to employees that the company “felt the absence of newly published megaseller hardcovers, which in today’s trade publishing business can mean the difference between a good fiscal year and a great one.”

Results in Bertelsmann’s other book-related unit, the Direct Group, were off significantly in the year and Bertelsmann chairman Hartmut Ostrowski said the company is “examining all strategic options, including the possible sale” of the group, which includes Bertelsmann Direct North America, home to the former Bookspan book club operation. In the year, the Direct Group incurred 123 million euros in integration and restructuring charges plus write-downs of 291 million euros directly related to the company’s North America club activities. Overall, Direct Group revenue fell 4.1%, to 2.55 billion euros, while EBIT plunged nearly 91%, to 10 million euros. While the weak dollar was responsible for some of the decline, Bertelsmann said the weak performance of the U.S. division where music, DVD and book club membership declined significantly and sales per member were off, was also an important factor in the disappointing performance.Read on »

Just Books Up for Sale
By Rachel Deahl
After six years running the Old Greenwich, Conn.-based Just Books Too, the Lawton family is putting the store up for sale, along with its neighboring coffee shop, Arcadia Coffee Company. The two businesses, both owned by the Lawtons, are being sold separately. Jenny Lawton said she is seeking new buyers because she could no longer "continue subsidizing the businesses." Read on »

Trudy Buys Musical Kidz Assets
Children book and audio publisher Trudy Corp. has acquired some inventory, mail order catalog and e-commerce Web site of Musical Kidz in a deal valued at $550,000. Musical Kidz is a publisher of children’s music distributed under the record label, Music for Little People. In addition, Leib Ostrow, president of Musical Kidz, will join Trudy to head up the company’s direct-to-consumer sales division. Ashley Anderson Zantop, Trudy CEO, called Ostrow’s appointment, “a critical early step in launching the company’s new media strategies, including digital audiobooks and other digital content for download.” Read on »

Job Moves
At Scholastic Michael Hansen has been hired as executive v-p of the company and president of book fairs and international. Hansen had president and CEO of Harcourt Assessment. Hugh Roome, who had been head of the international group, has been named to the new post of president of the consumer and professional publishing division. Alan Boyko, president of Scholastic Book Fairs, will continue in the role reporting to Hansen.

At HarperCollins, Suzie Sisoler has been promoted to director of online consumer marketing. In the newly created position Sisoler, who's been at HC since 2000, will oversee such web initiative as AuthorTracker and First Look.

Brigitte Weeks has been named editor-in-chief of Bertelsmann Direct's Christian book club, Crossings Book Club. Weeks was most recently an editorial consultant and, before that, senior v-p and editor-in-chief of Bookspan.

Friday Is Final Deadline for PW’s BEA Issue
by Kevin Howell
Friday, March 21, is the final day exhibitors attending this year’s BookExpo America will be able to submit their information to be included in PW’s annual annotated listing of all BEA exhibitors.

Unlike in years past, this year’s list of attendees (and the products/discounts and promotions being offered by them) will only list exhibitors who submit information. We don’t have space in our April 28 BEA preview issue to list booths without any information.

Exhibitors wishing to be in this free listing need to go to www.publishersweekly.com/BEAdata and fill out the quick form there.

The difference between this exhibitors’ listing and the guide the BEA hands out at the show is that the show’s guide lists exhibitors’ contact information while PW lists titles being promoted at each exhibitor’s booth (up to five titles per imprint) as well as discounts/promotions/giveaways being offered to booksellers at the show.

Blogs

MORE STORIES

AUTHORS ON THE AIR

Authors on the Air: Jeffrey Sachs’ Common Wealth; Nick Smith Was Wrong; Joel C. Rosenberg Returns
This evening, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart hosts development economist Jeffrey Sachs, whose book is Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet (Penguin, $27.95; Penguin Audio unabridged CD, $39.95). PW found it a “sobering but optimistic manifesto. Combining trenchant analysis with a resounding call to arms, Sachs's book is an important contribution to the debate over the world's future.” Read on »

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Book Clubbing On the Upper East Side
Author Mia Fontaine (pictured middle, with the black scarf) was at Caffee Notte on the Upper East Side last week for an impromptu bookclub appearance. Fontaine was on hand to discuss the book she wrote with her screenwriter mother Claire, Come Back (HarperPerennial/Regan Books). Mia’s publicist, Stacey Glick (pictured in argyle), arranged the event after spotting a local reading the book in the Second Avenue wine bar/coffee shop. Submit your pictures here »

JOB OF THE DAY

PW VIRTUAL EDITION

To access the latest issue of Publishers Weekly no matter where you are, be sure to take a look at PW's Virtual Edition -- available online anytime. If you're not already a subscriber, take a look at a sample issue here.