Cusick, Durkan and Weiss join International Literary Properties

Editor and literary scout Molly Cusick (pictured) has joined International Literary Properties (ILP), which invests and manages literary estates across the world, alongside new recruits TV executive Mary Durkan and literary manager Murray Weiss.

Cusick has been appointed literary vice-president, heading literary licensing, publishing and agency relations. She will manage literary opportunities for ILP's estates together with agents and pursue new print, e-book, and subsidiary rights deals, as well as developing literary brands to increase global consumer awareness and drive sales. She has worked in the publishing industry for a decade previously as an editor at US publisher Sourcebooks, a senior literary scout, and a literary agent and co-director of international rights at a leading US agency.

She said: “International Literary Properties is an incredibly exciting place to work. We have the knowledge and resources to make anything imaginable happen for authors and literary estates. Even the most blue-sky ideas for brand development, marketing, and publishing are possible. I am looking forward to using my experience in editorial, packaging and as an advocate for authors to act as a trusted steward for these literary legacies, ensuring their place in our culture for generations to come.”

Durkan has been hired as acquisitions consultant for the UK and Europe, and Weiss has joined as an acquisitions consultant for North America. Each will work to identify potential literary properties for ILP to acquire and invest in, in their respective UK and European and North American markets. Durkan also oversees ILP’s UK and European ambassador programme, working with individuals across the publishing industry to acquire rights to established literary estates.

Weiss had a career in investment banking focusing on asset securitisation at Lehman Brothers and Prudential Securities, where he helped create and operate one of the first investment banking boutiques focused on intellectual property with CAK Universal. He went on to run Literal Media, a literary management company for actor/producer Michael Douglas. Durkan has spent her career in television production, children’s animation, television distribution, intellectual property and literary estates management. She has worked for a number of media companies including ITV, and as c.e.o. of Planet 24 Productions, Chorion and Silvergate Media. 

ILP has also appointed Four Communications and Sarah Russo Public Relations (SRPR) to manage its UK and US communications respectively.

Scott Hoffman, president and c.e.o. of ILP, said: “The addition of Molly, Mary, and Murray to an already incredibly strong team of seasoned literary and media veterans allows International Literary Properties to add value to an increasingly large number of literary estates. As ILP continues to grow and becomes a more integrated part of the publishing ecosystem, we look forward to providing more options in service and support of authors, heirs, agents, and the general literary community. Further, our appointment of Four Communications and SRPR to manage external communications is a key step in getting the word out about the work we’re doing in the preservation and management of important literary legacies.”