Normington leaves Pan Mac's BookBreak

Pan Macmillan’s Leena Normington is leaving the company’s BookBreak YouTube channel after a year, with the publisher now recruiting for a new creative producer.

Normington has grown the YouTube channel BookBreak from 1,000 subscribers to 5,000 in a year under a pilot initiative. She is now moving on to become business development manager at the Telegraph online, with a focus on the bookshop, dating and ticketing sections.

Pan Macmillan said it wanted to support young creatives by offering an annual creative producer role for its YouTube channel.

Sara Lloyd, digital and communications director at Pan Macmillan, said: “A major part of our YouTube strategy was to hire a creative producer - a pilot role which we initially offered for a short term spell and which Leena filled with an infectious energy and impressive creativity. Due to our success so far, we have decided to continue with an annual scheme to develop new creative video talent, offering an innovative and ambitious creative a one year contract to come and work their magic for our books and authors.”

Normington added: “I have had an amazing year of writing, editing, producing and presenting our little cosy reading corner of the internet, BookBreak. We’ve been to festivals, book fairs, famous authors’ gardens and even a farm. We’ve held a beauty pageant, made a time capsule and even discovered the world of audiobook colouring.  Now it’s time to pass the baton on.”

The new candidate will work closely across Pan Macmillan with adult, children’s and young adult imprints.

Candidates from a variety of backgrounds are welcomed - “from film school and video production graduates to YouTubers, or even just those with a keen passion for YouTube and books” - although demonstrable experience and practical skills in producing and editing videos are a necessity, the publisher said.

Applicants interested in the creative producer role can watch the job advert online. The closing date is 26th June.