Douglas Schatz leaves Samuel French

Douglas Schatz, m.d. of Samuel French Ltd, has left the company, following the acquisition of the specialist theatrical publishing and licensing company by Concord Music, revealed in December.

The company now forms part of Concord’s new international Theatricals division creating a catalogue that also includes Rodgers & Hammerstein and Tams Witmark musicals.

Schatz has led the UK arm of Samuel French for the past six years. Prior to that he was m.d. for the EMEA region of Lonely Planet travel publishers and previous to that was m.d. of the travel retailer Stanfords.

Formed in 1830, Samuel French has run as a play publisher, a licensing house and an independent bookseller. Last year the shop moved to a new home in the Royal Court theatre in London's Sloane Square a year after rent hikes forced it to close from its previous premises in Fitzroy Street, Soho. It is still continuining to trade at the Royal Court site and is "going strong", French said.

Schatz told The Bookseller of his next steps: "I have worked for several iconic brands, and for independent companies in publishing and retail. I’m looking for a leadership role in publishing or the theatre industry, or arts world - I am also interested in offering my experience as a consultant." 

He can be contacted for consultancy or future roles at douglass@mapleleafconsultants.co.uk">douglass@mapleleafconsultants.co.uk.