Abbott joins new Baker & Taylor service

Distributor Baker & Taylor has launched a new business unit providing international sales and marketing services.

Chita Bopardikar, joining from previous roles at Publishers Group Worldwide (PGW) and Perseus, will take on the role of vice president and general manager of the new unit, called Global Publishers Services (GPS).  Meanwhile Mike Abbott (pictured), who left Penguin Random House international sales last year, has joined B&T as GPS director of sales and marketing, EMEA, and director of new business development.

GPS will offer tailored services to publishers whose content has a strong global audience, offering reach into multiple sales channels including through e-commerce platforms.

David Cully, e.v.p. and president for retail markets, said: "This new business unit under the leadership of an industry veteran like Chitra leverages the company's superb global logistical and IT infrastructure to help publishers effectively offer their content in both developed and emerging countries around the world as the use of the English language continues to increase exponentially."

Abbott termed GPS "an attractive and visionary new model for publishers who have strong international potential, but cannot invest time and money in complicated sales networks."