Episcopal Press and News

Letter to Friends of Seabury Press

Diocesan Press Service. July 17, 1972 [72097]

TO: All friends of the Seabury Press

In the light of a declining trend in sales and earnings, the Executive Committee and Management of the Press have taken steps to fulfil the potential we believe exists for Seabury. The actions detailed below were preceded by a special study of the financial, sales and marketing, and organizational condition of the Seabury Press. They were cleared in principle with the Rt. Rev. John E. Hines, Presiding Bishop and Chairman of the Seabury Board of Trustees and the Rt. Rev. John M. Allin, Chairman of the Communication Program Group of the Executive Council.

(1) An immediate reorganization which will result as soon as possible in the selection of a new President, who will also act as Editor-in-Chief, and a new Vice President for Sales and Promotion.

(2) John Goodbody, President, will assume the position of Communication Officer for the Executive Council on a fulltime basis as soon as his successor is appointed.

(3) Arthur Buckley, Editor, Miss Lucy Holmes, Promotion Manager, and John Kelk, Sales Manager, will leave the Press on September first. Mr. Buckley will continue as an outside consultant/editor until January 1, 1973 to continue work on manuscripts now in process. No other major personnel changes are contemplated.

(4) A new internal staff group has been appointed by the Executive Committee to assist John Goodbody in the initial implementation of this reorganization prior to the appointment of the new President

Let me emphasize that there is no thought of a cut-back in Seabury's publishing program. Instead, we plan vigorous and aggressive efforts to support existing programs and to reach new and hitherto unexplored markets.

Signed Chairman, Executive Committee

Board of Trustees, Seabury Press