The changes are built around "a resolve toward missional engagement and ministry and business commitment," Wilson said in addressing B&H staff members Jan. 28 in conjunction with her first 90 days in her role.
John Thompson, B&H's vice president of marketing for more than a decade, will assume the role of vice president of acquisitions. In addition to his 20-plus years of publishing experience, Thompson "brings his ministry and marketing partnership strengths to the acquisitions role, as well as his agent/contract capabilities," Wilson said.
Mary Katharine Hunt, formerly director of LifeWay Kids in LifeWay's church resources division, will be B&H's new vice president of marketing. Hunt has more than 15 years of marketing experience and brand management. Wilson said Hunt's "strengths in new media and digital marketing knowledge and experience as a product development team leader will be a tremendous asset to B&H."
"B&H exists to impact the world with the truth of the Gospel," Hunt said. "Publishing is moving faster and faster toward the digital realm and this trend will help us take the message of God's Word to the world."
The work B&H already has done in digital publishing and marketing "will be a building block for the future," Hunt said. In addition to the recently launched MyStudyBible.com platform, B&H also has a variety of individually branded applications for Apple's iPhone and iPad, with several more in development. Six of the apps have been ranked among the top 150 paid apps in the books category.
Wilson also announced the decision to discontinue the Fidelis imprint.
Thompson explained that "B&H launched Fidelis Books two years ago to produce quality books for patriotic consumers. We successfully published titles by individuals who shape national opinion. Despite that success, we feel the need to offer greater focus on our base as a distinctively Christian publisher."
The changes reflect what Wilson termed "a team model approach that will strengthen the publisher's mission of engaging people where they live, providing biblical truth that leads to life transformation."
B&H Publishing Group produces Bibles, trade books by authors including Beth Moore, and a diverse line of church supplies. Recent releases include the New York Times No. 1 bestseller "The Love Dare" and the HCSB Study Bible. B&H is also a leading publisher of Spanish-language Bibles.
Reported by the communications staff of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Copyright (c) 2011 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press www.BPNews.net
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