Amanda Johnson named new director of Costa Book Awards

Costa Coffee has appointed Amanda Johnson as the new director of the Costa Book Awards. She succeeds Bud McLintock, who stepped down from the role after 25 years in February 2020.

Johnson, a PR and communications director with 20 years' experience working with consumer brands and book prizes, has been publicity director of the Costa Book Awards since 2005. Her prize experience also includes leading the PR for the Women’s Prize for Fiction over 14 years. 
 
Jill McDonald, c.e.o. of Costa Coffee, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Amanda into her new role. She brings with her a huge breadth of awards experience, not least 15 years on the Costa Book Awards, as well as an astute understanding of consumer brands.”  She also paid tribute to McLintock, praising her “great commitment” as well as the “creativity and foresight” she brought to the role, helping to “build the prestige and integrity of the awards year-on-year”.

Johnson commented: “I’ve loved working on the Costa Book Awards in my role as publicity director and learnt a huge amount from Bud during the 15 years we worked together so it’s a real privilege to step up as overall director of these prestigious and much-loved awards.  I’m thrilled and excited to have the opportunity to lead the awards into the next phase, as we approach the 50th year in 2021 and its continued success beyond.”  
 
The appointment is announced at the same time as entries for the Costa Book Awards 2020 go live. The 2020 cycle also sees the new appointment of culture and entertainment specialist PR agency Riot Communications, which will work in partnership with digital creative agency The Ten Group to implement the awards’ PR and social media campaign. Goose Live Events will deliver the awards ceremony and the Booksellers Association will administer the awards.