Disney Publishing Promotes Lisa Holton to Publisher Global Children's Books

Posted on October 7, 1999

As part of Disney Publishing Worldwide's global restructuring, Lisa Holton has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Publisher, Global Children's Books, Disney Publishing Worldwide, effective immediately. Steven Murphy, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Disney Publishing Worldwide made the announcement.

In her new role, Ms. Holton, 37, will set the creative strategy for Disney children's books on a worldwide basis as well as continue to oversee the North American Disney book imprints -- Hyperion Books for Children, Mouseworks, Disney Press and Disney Editions. For both children's books and continuity projects, the editorial and creative teams in the United States, Paris and Milan will take overall publishing direction from Ms. Holton.

"Lisa's passion is books, reading and children. Her vision of children's publishing makes her the perfect person to bring together the rich publishing assets worldwide and Disney's several highly successful editorial teams," Murphy said. "It takes a creative talent to manage creative talent. And Lisa has talent in spades."

Ms. Holton has been with Disney Publishing Worldwide since 1996 and most recently served as Vice President, Group Publisher, Disney Children's Book Group. Under her leadership, the Disney Children's Book Group launched the first children's book African American imprint, Jump at the Sun, with a distinguished list of talent including: Toni Morrison, bell hooks, Brian Pinkney, Quincy Troupe, Julius Lester, and Valerie Wilson Wesley.

Previously, Ms. Holton spent five years at Harpercollins Children's Books, where she served as Vice President, Associate Publisher, Editor-in-Chief for two years, and Vice President, Director of Marketing and Merchandise Development for three and a half years. Prior to her tenure at Harpercollins, Ms. Holton spent six years at Viking Penguin, at which time she held numerous positions in the areas of marketing, sales and subsidiary rights.