Description
Book SynopsisBy the close of the last millennium Dorling Kindersley had become one of the most recognisable brands in publishing. Across the range of illustrated household reference titles, from children's books to travel guides, its distinctive look of colourful images cut out against a white background could be seen on bookshelves throughout the country - and indeed the publishing world. Apart from three minor acquisitions, DK had grown organically over 25 years to be a publicly listed company with a turnover of GBP200 million, some 1500 employees, publishing arms across the English language markets, a 50-strong international sales force that dealt with more than 400 publishers, a direct selling business with 30,000 independent distributors, and had expanded its skills for delivering handsomely designed reference books into the new media of videos, CD-ROMs and online educational content. Then a series of catastrophic printing decisions brought the company to its knees, and ultimately into the arms of Pearson. Christopher Davis is uniquely positioned to tell the story of DK's rise and fall. He joined the company at its foundation and in due course became Group Publisher.The narrative he provides is a dual one, encompassing the visionary genius of Peter Kindersley and the publishing revolution he fomented, and charting the remarkable, sometimes precarious, frequently hilarious, roller-coaster ride as the company grew from a handful of people in a studio in South London to a substantial global business. In the rapidly changing publishing climate of today, this book is also a nostalgic reminder of a time when creativity could flourish unburdened by the shackles of corporate bureaucracy.
Table of ContentsAbout the author Author's note 1. Bad Night At The Union Hotel 2. Spreads On The Bed 3. Mistress of Wine 4. Ashes and Diamonds 5. The Godfathers of East 50th Street 6. Management By Hand Grenade 7. 9 Henrietta Street 8. Sex In The Connaught 9. Never Negotiate With A Husky 10. Name On The Spine 11. Hughes The Money 12. Revolution On The Page 13. Impressionists in the Men's Room 14. Mammoth Sales 15. If You Build It, They Will Come 16. Over and Out 17. Thanks, Bill 18. Home Deliveries 19. This Dog's A Runner 20. Showing What Others Only Tell 21. Publishing Fundamentals 22. Click and Point 23. The Nun's Tale 24. Gandhi in Las Vegas 25. 95 Madison Avenue 26. Complexity and Commitment 27. A Lifetime of Learning 28. Enter The Marketing Man 29. Bring On The Men In White Coats Epilogue Acknowledgments
