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ECPA names ten industry “Emerging Leaders” for PUBu scholarship
Program is industry’s first initiative to invest in future leaders, new voices
Contact:
Stan Jantz, ECPA executive director
sjantz@ecpa.org 480-966-3998
PHOENIX, ARIZ., September 6, 2016 – ECPA has announced the recipients of the first-ever Emerging Leaders scholarship program for PUBu, the industry’s training and networking event for Christian publishing professionals. Sponsored by Nielsen Book, nominations were made by Christian publishers with a goal to invest in up and coming, new to the industry professionals identified as future leaders. The class of ten, selected from a strong pool of candidates, will be officially introduced at PUBu and honored at an evening reception.
“Just as the publishing world is going through a period of significant change in the way people access books, publishing companies are experiencing transitions in their own cultures as they seek to strengthen their positions in the marketplace now and in the future,” states ECPA executive director Stan Jantz. “At the core of these transitions is the development of future leaders who will guide these companies over the next decade and beyond.”
Nominees were considered based on their current and potential contributions to their companies, with a preference for those who are new to the industry and represent a needed perspective and voice from the margin.
“ECPA believes it can play a crucial role in the process of identifying and supporting those young men and women who have the potential to aspire to fill these future leadership roles, and who have the talent and the passion for the Christian publishing profession,” continued Jantz. “We are very grateful for the support of Nielsen Book at the initiative of their director of new business development Kristen McLean, that helped make this program possible.”
"The Christian Market is a very important part of our business here at Nielsen, and we believe there is value in investing in the talent that will drive the future of this segment for years to come, says McLean. “The Emerging Leaders program is one way we can do that."
The debut PUBu 2016 class of Emerging Leaders are:
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Joel Armstrong is the Assistant Editor at Kregel Publications with approximately two years experience in the industry. He is a PhD student and former graduate instructor in writing who has demonstrated an eagerness to learn and grow in Christian publishing. "We see in him a great potential for professional growth in our company and in the industry," states Jerry Kregel, EVP and co-owner, Kregel Publications.
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Rebecca Bradshaw is the Head of Adult Commissioning at UK-based Lion Hudson. Though she comes from a distinguished career with Macmillan Publishing, she is new to Christian publishing. Says Suzanne Wilson-Higgins, Managing Director of Lion Hudson: "Becki is a person of substance and she will make the most of PUBu by building relationships with Christian publishers in the U.S., and bring back that experience to apply in her daily work at Lion Hudson."
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Laura Decorte, who is new to publishing, joined the W Publishing Group earlier this year as Assistant Marketing Manager. “The talent and insight that Laura Decorte brings to W point to her potential as a leader with Christian publishing," says Lori Cloud, Vice-President of Marketing for W Publishing Group. "Already she has shown tremendous passion, knowledge and creativity in her work, and her upcoming time at PUBu will give her additional connection and training.”
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Gretchen Logterman is the Senior Editorial Project Manager for New Growth Press. Four years ago, she started at New Growth in sales/customer service answering phones and has since learned every phase of the publishing business. Her rise in the company is due to her enthusiasm and quest for learning new skills. "It is time for Gretchen to meet and learn from leading experts in Christian publishing at PUBu," says her nominator Betty Hutchinson, CFO of New Growth Press. "I am confident that Gretchen is on her way to becoming a force in the industry."
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Meaghan Minkus is an Editorial Assistant with Discovery House with three years experience in the industry. In her role she has taken on a number of diverse tasks, including supporting five different publishing arms of the ministry before moving to Discovery House this year to work on books. She is currently doing her "morning devotions" in the Chicago Manual of Style with the goal of reading through the book in a year. Says Discovery House publisher Ken Petersen: "I see in Meaghan the raw elements of a strong future leader. She's helpful and wants to support her teammates, driven by a sense of justice and not afraid to share her opinions. She's building a foundation of knowledge that will allow her to succeed in her profession."
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Jesse Myers is the Associate Publisher of Marketing & Sales for Lexham Press, a division of Faithlife Corporation. Jesse received his MDiv from Providence Theological Seminary in Manitoba with extended study in Dublin, Ireland. He has been in the industry for less than five years, having worked for Eerdman's before coming to Faithlife. Says nominator Brannon Ellis, publisher of Lexham Press: "Jesse is at the forefront of innovation of digital-first direct-channel Christian publishing and is directly responsible for much of the success this young publishing house has already enjoyed."
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Lori Neff is the Marketing Manager for InterVarsity Press with one year experience in the industry. Lori joined IVP after a successful 12-year run as producer and co-host of Moody Radio's Midday Connection. Says nominator Jeff Crosby, publisher of IVP: "Lori has demonstrated exceptional commitment to our authors, exceptional collaboration with her co-workers, and highly-uncommon spiritual maturity and sensitivity. I'd like Lori to come to PUBu to catalyze even further growth in her publishing role. She's the type of person I could easily see leading a PUBu session in the future!"
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Briana Pringle is a graduate of Cornerstone University (BA in Journalism) Grand Rapids, Michigan. She has been working with Our Daily Bread executive editor Joyce Dinkins "to further Briana's exposure to all aspects of Christian publishing," Joyce says. "Briana is working on book and other editing projects and is a strong writer. I anticipate PUBu will help move her forward in our industry."
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Meg Rusick is the Marketing Director of Hendrickson Publishers with five years industry experience. "Meg is an exceptional young leader in our company," says Hendrickson General Manager Paul Hendrickson. "She has led our transition to an innovative digital, social media, and web based marketing program. She is creative and energetic and will benefit greatly from peer interactions and learning environment at PUBu."
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Trevor Wiser is the marketing director of Plough Publishing House as of August 2016. He comes to Plough with strong marketing credentials in other industries, but PUBu will be part of his immersion into the world of Christian publishing. Says nominator Sam Hine, editor of Plough: "Trevor will be working for no pay as a lifetime committed member of the Bruderhof Christian community, like all Plough staff. He has left what many would consider a better job in order to proclaim the gospel through the written word and every available medium." |
ECPA applauds the foresight of each company who nominated a future leader to this inaugural program and looks forward to continuing to invest in new and diverse voices through this program.
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PUBu is the industry’s "Publishing University" for Christian publishing professionals, taught by experts and industry leaders, and considered the premier training ground for the industry. In-depth sessions are offered in Marketing, Reader Engagement, Editorial, Design, Data, Delivery & Workflow. In 2016, PUBu will be held October 13-14 at Trinity International University in Chicago and will feature 30 community sessions, plenary sessions with Ken Wytsma and Michael Covington, and networking opportunities and a full dose of inspiration in your publishing role. Full program details are at ECPAPUBu.org.
ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) is an international non-profit trade organization, comprised of nearly 200 member companies worldwide, representing a combined revenue of nearly $1.4 billion. Since 1974, ECPA has strengthened Christian publishing by building Networking, Information, and Advocacy opportunities within the industry and across multiple channels so that our members can more effectively produce and deliver transformational Christian content. For more information about ECPA: info@ecpa.org, ecpa.org
Nielsen Book is a leading provider of search, discovery, commerce, consumer research and retail sales analysis services globally. Nielsen runs the Registration Agencies (ISBN and SAN Agencies for UK & Ireland, ISTC), provides search and discovery products through its Nielsen BookData product range, electronic trading via Nielsen BookNet and PubEasy services, retail sales analysis via Nielsen BookScan and consumer research through its Books and Consumer Survey. Nielsen acquired the business Intelligence and commerce solutions products: PubTrack ™ Digital, PubTrack ™ Christian, PubTrack™ Higher-Ed, and Books & Consumers, Global Ebook Monitor and custom research. Commerce Solutions products: PubEasy® and Pubnet® in 2013. This acquisition enhances Nielsen Book’s solutions portfolio and brings deeper insights and improved efficiencies to the global book industry. Nielsen Book employs 100 staff in the UK. The company is wholly owned by Nielsen. For more information, please visit: www.nielsenbook.co.uk
Nielsen Holdings plc (NYSE: NLSN) is a global performance management company that provides a comprehensive understanding of what consumers watch and buy. Nielsen's Watch segment provides media and advertising clients with Total Audience measurement services for all devices on which content—video, audio and text—is consumed. The Buy segment offers consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers the industry's only global view of retail performance measurement. By integrating information from its Watch and Buy segments and other data sources, Nielsen also provides its clients with analytics that help improve performance. Nielsen, an S&P 500 company, has operations in over 100 countries, covering more than 90% of the world’s population. For more information, visit www.nielsen.com.
Rush to Press is a publication of ECPA, the association of Christian publishers:
strengthening the industry through networking, information, and advocacy programs since 1974. ECPA.org