TODAY'S NEWS

F+W Media Restructures
By Jim Milliot
F+W Media, which changed its name from F+W Publications in July to better reflect its push into digital publishing, has reorganized the company, moving away from its existing structure which divided up the company into book and magazine divisions, into a company organized by communities. According to a memo from F+W CEO David Nussbaum, “starting now, we are organized and led by community and customer focus, not by channel or product.” Nussbaum told PW the new structure will enable F+W to deliver “more expert information in its markets,” while also making the company a more effective publishing partner for its retailers. Read on »

NPD Predicts Flat to Declining Holiday Sales
By Lynn Andriani
Twenty-six percent of consumers surveyed said they plan to spend less this holiday season than in 2007, according to the latest results from market research company NPD Group, Inc.’s annual survey of consumers’ holiday spending intentions. There is a silver lining, however: books ranked fourth on the list of top 10 items consumers plan to buy as gifts, with 27% of consumers saying they will purchase books to give this holiday season. Read on »

Buzz Builds for 'The Imperfectionists'
By Matthew Thornton
A debut novel about a struggling English-language paper in Rome is expected to draw lots of attention at the Frankfurt Book Fair, which officially opens tonight. Read on »

Friedlander Brings Book Content to Air America
By Calvin Reid
Veteran book publisher Beau Friedlander has landed a new job as editor-in-chief of the Air America Web site with a mandate to raise traffic on the politically liberal radio network by using his publishing experience and book contacts to bring new content and new personalities to the site. Read on »

Toulantis Gets $1 Million Sendoff
Marie Toulantis, who resigned as head of Barnes & Noble.com this summer, will receive a one-time payment of $875,000 as part of her termination agreement and a bonus of at least $487,500, B&N disclosed in an SEC filing. Toulantis will consult with B&N.com “from time to time” through January 30, 2010, and also agreed not to have any business dealings with Amazon or Borders for the next year. To cover Toulantis' severance agreement, B&N will take a $1.8 million charge for the third quarter.

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AUTHORS ON THE AIR

Authors on the Air: Maureen McCormick; Victoria Osteen; Tears of the Desert
This morning, Today hosted Maureen McCormick, whose memoir Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice (William Morrow, $25.95; HarperAudio abridged CD, $29.95) goes on sale today. Read on »

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Fab Four
Amistad VP and Editorial Director Dawn Davis, HarperCollins President and Publisher, U.S. General Books and Canada, Michael Morrison, author Diahann Carroll and Barbara Walters pose at the September 30 publication party for Carroll’s new memoir, The Legs are the Last to Go: Aging, Acting, Marrying & Other Things I Learned the Hard Way, at Le Cirque. Submit your pictures here »

JOB OF THE DAY

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