HarperCollins Announces New Publishing Structure

Posted on September 22, 1999

HarperCollins Publishers has announced its new publishing structure, combining William Morrow, Avon Books and HarperCollins. The restructuring comes soon after the acquisition of William Morrow and Company, Inc. and Avon Books, Inc. from The Hearst Corporation which was finalized in July.

The new structure includes the HarperCollins General Books Group (formerly the Adult Trade Group) led by Cathy Hemming, who has been promoted from Executive Vice President and Publisher to President and Publisher; and HarperCollins Children's Books Group headed by Susan Katz, President and Publisher. As a result of the restructuring, 74 people in editorial, marketing and operations will be leaving the company.

The HarperCollins General Books Group will be headed by Hemming, along with two senior executives. Michael Morrison, formerly Senior Vice President and Associate Publisher has been promoted to Executive Vice President and Group Publishing Director. In addition, Brian Murray, formerly Vice President, Finance and Publishing Operations, has been appointed to the newly created position of Senior Vice President and Managing Director. Both Morrison and Murray will report to Hemming.

In an effort to streamline the management structure of the growing publishing program, Hemming has organized the General Books Group into four operating divisions: HarperTrade, Morrow/Avon, HarperInformation and HarperSanFrancisco.

The HarperTrade division includes seven imprints: HarperCollins; Perennial; Cliff Street Books; The Ecco Press; Quill; HarperAudio and Large Print Editions; and Regan Books, which is independently operated and led by its President and Publisher, Judith Regan. The Morrow/Avon division includes five imprints: William Morrow, Avon, HarperTorch, Eos and HarperEntertainment. HarperInformation includes HarperBusiness, HarperResource, Access Travel, William Morrow Cookbooks, and the branded books publishing program previously known as Hearst Magazine Division Books. HarperSanFrancisco is a publisher of religion, spirituality and New Age titles.

The HarperCollins Children's Book Group has been reorganized to include eight imprints and will be headed by Susan Katzg. The Group includes the following imprints: Greenwillow Books, Joanna Cotler Books, Laura Geringer Books, HarperCollins, HarperFestival, HarperTrophy, Avon, and Tempest.