Johnson to leave S&S

Lou Johnson, managing director of Simon & Schuster Australia, has resigned and will leave the company after a ‘smooth transition to new leadership’.

‘Lou has decided to seek challenges in her career outside of Simon & Schuster, and potentially beyond the traditional publishing environment,’ Ian Chapman, chief executive and publisher of Simon & Schuster UK and International, said in a letter to staff.

Johnson told Books+Publishing she was interested in ‘new forms of developing and delivering content’.

Johnson first joined S&S in 2008 as sales and marketing director, and was promoted to managing director in 2010.

‘Lou has more than capably led Simon & Schuster Australia through a time of tremendous change both within the business and within the local publishing industry,’ said Chapman. ‘Always strategically minded and consumer focused, Lou has been quick to identify and exploit new channels and new opportunities as online bookselling and digital publishing have had a greater impact on the Australian marketplace.’

‘Under Lou, Simon & Schuster authors could always count on receiving expert publication in Australia. They have been tremendous partners in the success we have enjoyed for both UK and US originated authors, notably Lynda La Plante, Philippa Gregory, Jackie Collins, Tom Robb Smith, Rhonda Byrne, Rachel Renee Russell, and many more. In addition, Lou started a local publishing programme in 2011 that has already achieved considerable success.’

‘Simon & Schuster Australia remains a key component of our global publishing efforts, and I have every confidence that the team in place will continue to serve our authors with excellence in the Australian marketplace. I will soon begin an active search for Lou’s successor,’ said Chapman. 

Johnson said she was ‘very proud of everything we’ve achieved at Simon & Schuster’.

Tags: S&S

Category: Local news