Wright appointed Hachette group international sales director

The director of digital sales and channel development at Penguin Random House is to join Hachette as group international sales director.

Ben Wright will be responsible for international sales of titles published by the Hachette UK group of publishers and titles published by Hachette Book Group and their third party agency businesses.

Richard Kitson, commercial director of Hachette UK said: “We have restructured our International Sales departments into one Group department, reflecting our international reach and our very strong links with our sister company Hachette Book Group.

“Together, we have major ambitions to increase our share of international markets and Ben is the right person to ensure that every book published or distributed by Hachette reaches its maximum potential audience in every market, whether in print or ebook,” he added.

Ben Wright said: “It is an amazing opportunity to lead the Hachette international team at this exciting time for the Group. My most recent role at Penguin Random House has been focused on international markets for digital and I am looking forward immensely to connecting with the vitally important print side of the business once again.”

He will join Hachette UK in time for Frankfurt Book Fair 2014. An international sales manager responsible for Central and South America, and the Caribbean, based in New York, will be recruited later in the year.

Evan Schnittman, EVP chief marketing and sales officer at Hachette Book Group said: “Our goal at Hachette is to deliver superb global sales services for our authors and client publishers, and we are thrilled that Ben Wright will lead the newly created International Sales and Marketing team. With our sister companies around the world we will continue to carry out our joined up global vision, which is working in practice for Hachette across the world.”