World Book Night U.S. Announces Major Committee Appointments

A new Steering Committee has been meeting weekly this summer to set strategies and priorities for the second annual celebration of World Book Night in the U.S. [1]in 2013. The members of the committee, in alphabetical order, are: Molly Barton, Global Digital Director, Penguin Group (and WBN Board member); Joan DeMayo, Senior Vice President, Director of Sales, Random House Children’s Books; Mary Ghikas, Senior Associate Executive Director, American Library Association; Jonathan Karp, Executive Vice President and Publisher, Simon & Schuster; Cathy Langer, Lead Buyer, Tattered Cover Book Stores; and Jan Lindstrom Valerio, National Business Development Manager, Marketing and Events, Barnes & Noble.

A crucial sub-committee, Media Strategy, has also begun setting key publicity goals for year two of the April 23 celebration of reading. The chairperson is Suzanne Herz, Senior Vice President, Publishing, Doubleday, and the committee members are: Sophie Cottrell, Vice President, Communications Director, Hachette Book Group; Sandi Mendelson, CEO, Hilsinger-Mendelson East; Jeff Seroy, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Publicity, Farrar, Straus & Giroux; and Amy Cox Williams, Director, PR & Product Marketing, Ingram Content Group.

“This is a very exciting time for World Book Night, and I am so grateful for the support and guidance from such smart people,” said World Book Night U.S. Executive Director Carl Lennertz. “Year one in America was a resounding success in so many ways, thanks to all the volunteer book givers, booksellers, and librarians in every corner of the country.  For 2013, we plan to do even more to elevate the discussion of books, reading, and giving before, on, and after April 23.”

WBN will also be forming committees for Author Events, Fundraising & Sponsorship, Friends of WBN, and Book Production & Logistics.