Folio (5/23/11)

I am pleased to announce the promotion of Missy Root to Director, Publisher Services.  For 2 ½ years Missy has led the Borders Group Inc. account management team demonstrating an exceptionable ability to manage Source Interlink Distributions’ valued customer relationships. Missy brings to this position 10 years of experience with publishers in strategic planning and analysis with a strong focus on marketing planning & execution, sales growth and efficiency improvement.  Missy will report to me and reporting directly to Missy will be Mike Ecken, Jodi Ford, Jessica Meschko, and Jennifer Russell.

The following announcement was prepared for the Publishing Industry by Dan Capell’s family.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of E. Daniel (Dan) Capell, age 64, who died peacefully at his home in Barnegat Light, NJ, on January 11, 2010, after a courageous, three-year battle with cancer.  Dan had been a leader in the magazine circulation and direct marketing industry for over 40 years.  For the last 28 years he was the editor of Capell’s Circulation Report, a newsletter which tracked the consumer magazine publishing industry.After graduating from Bucknell University in 1967, Dan began his direct marketing career at Time, Inc.  He began with Life Magazine, and rose to become Circulation Director for Sports Illustrated.  In 1973, Capell moved to Ziff Davis Publishing as a senior executive responsible for the marketing activities of twelve special interest consumer magazines.  He also served as General Manager of Ziff’s Business and Trade Division, supervising marketing, manufacturing and advertising sales for thirteen properties in the travel, aviation and meetings/conventions markets.

Dan next became Vice President of Circulation for Newsweek, where he also functioned as Vice President of Venture Development.  In 1980, Capell successfully tested and launched Inside Sports, as the founding publisher of the only new magazine ever launched by Newsweek, Inc.

In 1985 Dan was hired as President of The Lake Group, a leading list consulting company.  From 1993-1997, Capell was co-founder and Managing Director of Gruppo, Levey and Capell, an investment banking firm specializing in the direct marketing industry.   In 1996, Dan’s lifetime achievements and contributions to the industry were honored by his induction into the Direct Marketing Association’s Circulation Hall of Fame.

Dan took great pride in the relationships he developed with industry colleagues in different capacities over the years.  Some of his most rewarding professional moments included speaking to a room full of industry veterans and teaching classes of future industry leaders at Time Inc.’s new employee training program.

Dan was an avid fan and player of baseball and softball.  His love of baseball began with Nottingham Little League in Hamilton Square, NJ, and went on to include Steinert High (state champs 1962), Bucknell University, 30+ years of playing softball and 17 NY Yankees titles during his lifetime.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 42 years, Kathy; his daughter, Kay; his son Matt and wife Vanessa; his sister Nanette and husband Dick; and his sister Carolyn and husband Dick.

The Capell family held a private memorial ceremony.  A celebration of life will be held on Friday, January 22 from 5:30–7:30pm at Annie Moore’s, 50 East 43rd Street, New York, NY.  It will be a casual event where you can drop by and share your memories of Dan over a drink at Dan’s favorite bar.  All are welcome.  In the meantime, please tell us about the fondest, funniest or happiest moments you shared with Dan, or upload photos, by visiting the guest book at www.memorialwebsites.legacy.com/dancapell.  In lieu of flowers, please visit the “donate” section of the website.

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News of Dan’s passing was reported in MinOnline (Jan 14, 2010) and Audience Development (Jan. 13, 2010)

Tim joined our newsstand sales team in 1997.   He brings over 35 years experience in the publishing and magazine distribution business to his role managing our wholesale sales.  Tim’s most recent position with us was as Director of Wholesale Sales.  Tim and his group are responsible for ensuring all of our titles receive proper distributions to our retailers’ newsstand racks.

Barry joined the newsstand team in 2003 and has over 30 years of sales and marketing experience in the magazine industry.  His most recent position with us was as Director of Retail Marketing.  Barry’s focus is to build relationships with retailers and educate them on our leadership in puzzle publishing and build sales through developing special retail promotions and displays.

These promotions recognize the contributions these folks have made to our company. Please join me in congratulating them on their new positions at Penny Publications.

I wanted to let you know of two changes in the Merchandising Non-Book area. Bob Chunn, Merchandise Director, Bargain, will transfer into the Merchandise Director role overseeing Newsstand, Calendars, Games and Trend Gifts.Bob has provided solid leadership while growing the Bargain and Proprietary areas and his background is a perfect fit for this role. I look forward to seeing his accomplishments in his new categories.

With this change, I am pleased to announce that Matt Campbell has been promoted to Merchandise Director, Bargain & Proprietary Publishing. Matt started with the company as a bookseller in one of our stores and has since gained vast experience in Merchandising through Buying and Planning & Replenishment, most recently in his role as MP&R Manager, Multimedia and Bargain. Matt’s team-building skills, financial acumen and understanding of the business make him the ideal person to assume this key position in my organization.

Please join me in congratulating Matt on his promotion and Bob on his new role.

Hugh Hefner and Current Girlfriends

Whatever difficulties his magazine business may face, Hugh Hefner, at 83, is dating women who could be his great grandchildren, and still very much enjoying his life, which he says is “even better, richer than people know.”