Saturday, September 21, 2013

Octopus to form new division


Octopus publishing house is to form a new children’s and custom publishing division.

The new division will launch in October and include the Bounty and Ticktock imprints. It will bring together children’s and promotional publishing, putting “extra focus” on the lists in order to grow their sales, Octopus chief executive Alison Goff said.

Sarah Bailey, currently publisher of the Australian’s Women’s Weekly titles at Octopus, will head the new division as director of children’s and custom publishing. Bailey will also be appointed to the Octopus board.

In addition, Samantha Sweeney, who most recently led the development of the Carlton Kids lists, has been appointed publisher of Ticktock and will join Octopus in late November, reporting to Sarah Bailey.

Sweeney has over 20 years experience in children’s publishing and brand management having held positions at Egmont and Penguin as well as Carlton.
The Bounty team, led by publisher Sam Warrington, will also report to Sarah Bailey.

Goff said: “In bringing our children’s and promotional publishing together in this way we will bring extra focus to these  lists and be better placed to deliver the growth we have planned.”
Bailey said: “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to build on the foundations of Bounty and Ticktock and lead a new customer-facing hub of invention—and reinvention—for both children's and adult illustrated books in today's global market.”

New appointment Sweeney said she thought the Ticktock list had  “much potential” and added that she was “looking forward to developing it in exciting new directions".
The adult general publishing will continue to be led by Denise Bates and Stephen Mesquita will continue to lead the Philip’s list.

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