MAIN NEWS HEADLINES
June 12 – June 19, 2008 Edition
Thomas Nelson
Combines Christian
Sales Divisions
NEW YORK, NY/6/9/08–Thomas Nelson, publisher of Bibles, Christian fiction and nonfiction books, is merging its two Christian sales divisions into a single group to be overseen by Gary Davidson, senior vice president. The move will unite the Christian retail sales team, which calls on stores, and the Nelson ministry and direct sales team, which calls on churches and ministries. The changes are designed to help the sales teams collaborate rather than compete, and to strengthen the relationship between retailers, churches and ministries, according to Nelson CEO Michael Hyatt . No layoffs are expected as a result of the merger.
Churches can now order directly from a single sales team. Before the consolidation, retailers, who bought from the retail team, were competing with their own supplier to sell book to churches. Under the new plan, Nelson will be in a better position to grow stores’ sales to local churches.