ABRAMS Announces Management Changes

ABRAMS Announces Management Changes to Capitalize on Strengths and Grow Business

For Immediate Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jennifer Brunn
jbrunn@abramsbooks.com / 212.519.1257
New York, NY; November 14, 2012: Today ABRAMS announced new roles for some of the company’s management team and one new hire, effective immediately. President and CEO of ABRAMS, Michael Jacobs addressed the reorganization: “The changes we are making will allow ABRAMS to continue to grow and evolve in ways that are both strategic and tactical. By capitalizing on and channeling the significant strengths the company already possesses, we will position ourselves to meet the challenges of the current and future publishing landscape.”Steve Tager has been named Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer with the marketing and publicity departments reporting to him. In addition, Tager is being tasked with developing new revenue streams by driving business initiatives, including the company’s digital assets. About Tager’s new role, Jacobs says, “Steve’s ability to bring energy and enthusiasm to new partnerships will be crucial as we adapt and grow in this ever-changing environment. His years of experience in many key areas of our company, including sales, marketing, and editorial, make him uniquely positioned for this multifaceted role.”Deborah Aaronson takes on the role of Vice President, Publisher for the adult trade group. About Aaronson, Jacobs says, “She comes to this new position with a strong balance of creative vision and business acumen. During her many years with ABRAMS, Deb has acquired and created some of our most successful and noteworthy books and become a trusted and capable manager. Deb’s talent and drive will further evolve the Abrams, Stewart, Tabori & Chang, and Abrams Image lists.” Aaronson has been with the company since 2000.

Mary Wowk, Vice President, Sales, will continue her sales efforts in the North American market and will broaden her focus to include the rest of the world. Wowk will work to grow English-language sales with the help of Abrams & Chronicle Books in London and will seek out opportunities to expand ABRAMS’ business internationally. “Under Mary’s leadership our sales teams will continue to pursue and capitalize on our many and varied sales opportunities across channels, both here and abroad. Mary’s superb sales skills and instincts and her tremendous experience and drive make me confident that she will grow and build markets for our books,” Jacobs said.

Elisa Urbanelli returns to ABRAMS (having first worked for the company in 1994) in the role of Associate Publisher for the adult trade group. Urbanelli takes over responsibilities formerly handled by Aaronson and will be acquiring across a number of categories with a particular focus on art and museum publications. Urbanelli was previously a managing editor for the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and most recently was a freelance editor.

Founded by Harry N. Abrams in 1949, ABRAMS is the preeminent publisher of high quality art and illustrated books. Now a subsidiary of La Martinière Groupe, ABRAMS is the publisher of bestsellers such as the wildly popular The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney, the award-winning cookbooks of Alton Brown, and the stunning photography of Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s Earth from Above. ABRAMS publishes books in the areas of art, photography, cooking, interior design, craft, fashion, sports, pop culture, as well as children’s books and general interest. The company’s imprints include Abrams; Abrams Appleseed; Abrams ComicArts; Abrams Image; Abrams Books for Young Readers; and Amulet Books.
www.abramsbooks.com