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DK Reorganizes U.S. Office
Jim Milliot -- 3/23/98
DK Publishing has reorganized the management structure of its New York office in a move to help spur more original publishing in the U.S., especially for DK's adult operation. Under the new organization, Chuck Lang has been named v-p and publisher for DK Adult Books, while Jeanette Mall has been appointed v-p and editorial director. Lang, who has been at DK for over five years, remains in charge of all DK marketing.
On the children's side, Neal Porter has been appointed v-p and publisher, and will oversee DK Children's Books, DK Ink and its mass merchandise line, FunFax. Reg Kahney has been appointed editorial director for the children's group.

According to a company spokesperson, the reorganization is designed to help facilitate DK's publishing schedule while a search continues for a new CEO, a position that has been vacant since Kristina Peterson left (News, July 28, 1997).

David Holmes, group sales and marketing director of Dorling Kindersley Holdings plc, said that "with the new structure we can now start focusing on originating projects here that will have greater local appeal." He cited as an example a new medical guide DK is working on with the American College of Physicians that is to be released in fall 1999.

The children's group has been more active in publishing original material through the formation of DK Ink, which was started by Porter last year (Children's Books, Aug. 11, 1997). In addition, the children's unit is planning to release a new series of Eyewitness Readers this spring (Children's Books, Mar. 9).

Also last week, DK issued results for the first six months of the year ended December 31, 1997. Revenues from the U.S. subsidiary rose 8% to $55.2 million, while the parent company reported a 3% gain in sales to $150.7 million, but a 40% drop in pretax profits to $6.8 million.

Highlights in the U.S. in the first six months of the year included a 15% increase in sales through the book trade, continued good demand for its Eyewitness Children's Encyclopedia CD-ROM and a 20% increase in sales from DK's Family Learning unit. DKFL has been a stellar performer for the company and the number of self-employed distributors was 10,400 as of December 31. -Jim Milliot
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