Ditlow Steps Down at Listening Library

Tim Ditlow has stepped down as publisher of Listening Library, an imprint of Random House Audio since its purchase by RH in 1999. Ditlow will take on new duties as v-p and publisher-at-large for Random House Audio. Random is not directly replacing Ditlow. Amy Metsch will assume the newly created position of editorial director, Random House Audio Publishing Group.

Investors Buy D&M

Douglas & McIntyre, one of Canada’s largest independent publishers, has been acquired by an investment group headed by Mark Scott, a former Canadian banker. Scott has become president of D&M, while Scott McIntyre, a cofounder of the company, has been named chairman and remains CEO, and the entire D&M management team will remain intact. An early focus for Scott will be to expand D&M through acquisitions.

SEC Moves Against Nicita

The Securities and Exchange Commission filed “a subpoena enforcement action” last week against Michael Nicita, the former CEO of AMS, and Edward Leonard, the company’s ex-CFO. The action seeks to compel Nicita and Leonard to appear for testimony in connection with the SEC’s investigation of accounting fraud at AMS. Although the SEC has filed civil actions against two lower-level AMS employees, neither Nicita nor Leonard have had charges brought against them. In its subpoena action, the SEC contends that for more than five months Nicita has refused to appear for testimony or to produce documents that are responsive to an administrative subpoena issued by the commission last year. Leonard has also refused to respond to the subpoena.

Weldon Owen Forms Imprint

Book packager Weldon Owen is forming a new imprint called Gold Street Press and has signed with Ingram Publisher Services to bring its first two titles to the trade in the fall. Although packaging will remain the company’s primary focus, Gold Street Press will enable WO to publish its own titles when appropriate.

McGuigan Forms New Agency

Sanford Greenburger agent Peter McGuigan is teaming up with Yfat Reiss, founder of SharpMan Media, to start Foundry Literary & Media. McGuigan will open up his new shop with Reiss on June 1 at 33 W. 17th St. in New York City. McGuigan will bring all of his clients with him to his new venture.

Clarification

In our BEA exhibitors list (Apr. 30), the Warner Books entry (p. 122) should have been titled Grand Central Publishing, to reflect the name change announced in March.