Publishers Weekly is reporting that the Random House Publishing Group (RHPG) is merging several former publishers into one division. To be called the Ballantine Bantam Dell unit, they’re bringing together Ballantine, Bantam, Del Rey/Spectra, Delacorte, Dell, ESPN Books, One World, Presidio, and Villard. At one time, PW notes, Bantam, Dell, and Ballantine were the major players in mass market paperbacks.
Libby McGuire has been named Senior Vice President and Publisher, and she’ll be overseeing the new unit, with direct responsibility for the hardcover and mass market publishing programs. Senior Vice President of Trade Paperbacks Jane von Mehren will continue to manage those editions in the unit.
As a result of the reorganization, Executive Vice President, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of Bantam Dell Nita Taublib is leaving the company, but a company spokesperson said no other positions are being eliminated.
The new unit’s executive team, reporting to McGuire, will include Jennifer Hershey (Senior Vice President and Editor-in-Chief), current Vice President and Publisher of Del Rey/Spectra Scott Shannon (adding the additional title of Publisher, Ballantine Bantam Dell Mass Market), and Kim Hovey (Vice President and Associate Publisher for Ballantine Bantam Dell).
In a memo, McGuire wrote: Hershey “will lead our integrated editorial department, working closely with me to shape our editorial strategy and develop our publishing lists.” The Ballantine, Del Rey and Bantam editors will report to Hershey, while Ballantine Editorial Director Linda Marrow and Bantam Editorial Director Kate Miciak will report to McGuire.
Shannon will now be overseeing the Ballantine Bantam Dell mass market program, in addition to his current portfolio of Del Rey/Spectra and Random House’s new IP creation and development group.
Bantam Associate Publisher Gina Wachtel adds on the new title of Associate Publisher of Bantam Ballantine Dell Mass Market, reporting to Shannon. Hovey will now serve as associate publisher for the Ballantine Bantam Dell list.
A spokesperson for the company said the combination of the two groups will enable RHPG to “better define our priorities.” Any decision about cutting lists will be up to McGuire.