13 September

HarperCollins Christian Publishing Announces Publishing Leadership Change

SVP and Group Publisher David Moberg announces intent to retire; Brian Hampton promoted to lead role

September 13, 2018 (Nashville, TN)-  HarperCollins Christian Publishing today announced a transition in publishing leadership with the announcement of senior vice president and group publisher David Moberg’s intention to retire at the end of the company’s fiscal year, in June 2019.   Brian Hampton, current senior vice president and publisher of Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, will be promoted to fill this role.  Hampton will begin overseeing all book publishing operations for both Thomas Nelson and Zondervan and the associated imprints* effective immediately.  He will sit on the company’s Executive Leadership Team and report directly to Mark Schoenwald, president and CEO.  Moberg will continue to hold a leadership role within HarperCollins Christian Publishing until his date of retirement, ensuring a seamless transition of responsibilities.

In this role, Hampton will set the strategy and direction for all trade, children’s, specialty, and curriculum publishing.  Hampton will be responsible for ensuring all divisions are meeting goals, developing new business initiatives, and managing relationships with key authors, retailers, distributors, and staff.

Hampton has served the company for 27 years in various editorial and leadership roles, helping to develop and publish several bestselling books including: Wild at Heart by John Eldredge, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell, The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey, and The Best Yes and Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst.  Most recently he is noted for signing breakout authors such as Bob Goff (Love Does and Everybody Always), Jen Hatmaker (For the Love and Of Mess and Moxie), and Rachel Hollis (Girl, Wash Your Face).  In addition to his role as publisher of Nelson Books, in 2017 Hampton led the launch of HarperCollins Leadership, a general market leadership imprint, in addition to the acquisition of the AMACOM trade book assets from the American Management Association.

“Brian’s track record of finding and developing great authors and content as well as leading and developing teams has prepared him for future success as the head of book publishing for HCCP,” said Mark Schoenwald.  “Brian’s decisions are strategic and analytical, and his product background gives him a keen sense about authors and manuscripts that will resonate in the market.   Brian has built invaluable relationships with authors and agents and is highly respected in the industry.  We are thrilled that he has accepted this next step in his career with us.”

Moberg will continue to work on special projects, mentor key staff, and provide guidance and counsel to the Executive Leadership Team during transition.  In addition, he will continue to serve on the Board of Directors for the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association as vice-chair.  “This is an exciting time for both Brian and the company, and I appreciate the support shown to me throughout my career in publishing.  I am confident that Brian’s transition to group publisher will be smooth as he is more than prepared to take on this role.”

* Zondervan’s Church, Academic, Reference and Reflective publishing focus will remain with Stan Gundry, senior vice president and publisher and Zondervan editor-in-chief.  Bible publishing will remain with John Kramp, senior vice president and group publisher.

About HarperCollins Christian Publishing: The world’s leading Christian publisher, HarperCollins Christian Publishing Inc., comprises the Thomas Nelson and Zondervan publishing groups, Olive Tree Bible Software, BibleGateway.com, FaithGateway.com and ChurchSource.com.  The Company produces bestselling Bibles, inspirational books, academic resources, curriculum, audio and digital content for the Christian market space.   HarperCollins Christian Publishing is headquartered in Nashville, TN with additional offices in the U.S. and Mexico.  For more information visit www.HarperCollinsChristian.com.

21 February

HarperCollins Christian Publishing Remembers Billy Graham’s Legacy

(Nashville, TN) It is with great sadness that HarperCollins Christian Publishing has learned of the death of Billy Graham.

“It has been a privilege to have Billy Graham as part of our publishing family,” says Mark Schoenwald, president and CEO of HarperCollins Christian Publishing.  “His work here on earth has been unsurpassed and we are comforted that he is at the side of his heavenly Father.  Our world is forever impacted by the example he set as a follower of Jesus Christ, and for that we are grateful.”

“Despite the great publishing success that Billy Graham enjoyed for over fifty years, it was never about bestsellers,” says David Moberg, senior v-p and group publisher for HarperCollins Christian Publishing Trade Books Group. “It was always only about one thing…the Gospel.  We have been blessed and inspired to have served as his publisher for many years and will always treasure this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Since 1975, Thomas Nelson had been Dr. Graham’s majority trade book publisher. In that time the publishing group has partnered with Dr. Graham on numerous million-copy bestsellers including “Angels: God’s Secret Agents” and “How to Be Born Again.” In September 2015, at the age of 96, Graham released his last  book “Where I Am: Heaven, Eternity, and Our Life Beyond.” His two previous releases“Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well” (October 2011) and “The Reason for My Hope: Salvation” (October 2013), were both New York Times best sellers. Zondervan and HarperOne, sister company to HarperCollins Christian Publishing, co-published Dr. Graham’s autobiography, “Just As I Am,” in May, 1997.

“To have published Billy Graham is one of the most treasured experiences of my life,” said Matt Baugher, who worked as  Billy Graham’s publisher for ten years. “Billy Graham had one reason, and one reason only, to preach, teach, and write. That reason was the foundational gospel of Jesus Christ. He never watered down that message, yet was somehow accepted around the world by a wide variety of individuals, groups and belief systems.”

Billy Graham, the world-renowned author, preacher, and evangelist, delivered the gospel message to more people face-to-face than anyone in history and ministered on every continent of the world. Millions have read his inspirational classics, including “Angels,” “The Secret of Happiness,” “Peace with God,” “The Holy Spirit,” “Hope for the Troubled Heart,” and “How to be Born Again.”

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES, CONTACT CASEY HARRELL

About HarperCollins Christian Publishing: The world’s leading Christian publisher, HarperCollins Christian Publishing Inc., comprising both Thomas Nelson and Zondervan publishing groups and Olive Tree Bible Software. The Company produces bestselling Bibles, inspirational books, academic resources, curriculum, audio and digital content for the Christian market space. Also home to BibleGateway.com, the world’s largest Christian website, and FaithGateway.com, an online community dedicated to helping people grow in their faith. HarperCollins Christian Publishing is headquartered in Nashville, TN with additional offices in Grand Rapids, MI  and Spokane, WA. For more information visit www.HarperCollinsChristian.com