Contact: Andi Sporkin: asporkin@publishers.org
Judith Platt: jplatt@publishers.org (202) 220-4551 Washington, DC, January 12, 2011— Andi Sporkin, a senior strategic communications executive at major media companies for more than two decades, has been named Vice President, Communications of the Association of American Publishers (AAP), the national trade association of the US book publishing industry. In the newly-created position, Sporkin will develop and direct integrated communications, external outreach and marketing for AAP’s advocacy efforts on behalf of its roughly 300 member organizations. AAP’s members publish books and journals for consumers of trade, educational, scholarly and professional materials and create multiplatform content, products and services for global audiences. Sporkin’s responsibilities will include legal, legislative and regulatory communications; media relations; industry branding initiatives; public affairs; and management of AAP’s Communications team. Sporkin will report to Tom Allen, President and Chief Executive Officer, and be based at AAP’s Washington DC headquarters. The appointment is effective February 9; she can currently be reached at asporkin@publishers.org “AAP and our members are at the forefront of the most compelling issues and opportunities facing the content communities,” noted Allen, citing among them intellectual property and copyright, the freedom to read and publish, accessibility for readers with disabilities, funding for libraries and digital initiatives enabling authors to reach new audiences. “Andi’s strong track record in creating and leading distinctive, high-impact communications strategies will help AAP’s members raise awareness and expand dialogue about the value of creative content.” “For someone who loves books and working with evolving content companies, there’s no more interesting place to be right now,” added Sporkin. “I’ve actively followed how publishers are thoughtfully and creatively addressing the rapid changes in the industry and redefining themselves to best serve the public. I’m delighted to step from the sidelines and join this effort.” Sporkin, who began her career as a print journalist, has held top-level corporate communications roles with premier U.S. and worldwide multiplatform media and content companies and a prominent non-profit membership association. As Vice President, Communications of NPR, National Public Radio from 2005-2008, she was the architect of its brand transformation from secondary radio service to global multimedia content leader and the organization’s first competitive communications operation. Sporkin played a key role in NPR’s most successful period of record audience and revenue, significant digital expansion and positive media visibility. She also served as NPR’s chief communications strategist and spokesperson on such issues as threats to federal funding of public media, digital music copyright royalties and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s attempts to interfere in journalism and programming. Her previous experience, mostly in Los Angeles, includes launching and building communications functions, directing numerous US and international campaigns and leading high-profile reputation management, crisis, issue, legal and policy communications strategies. For 13 years at CBS Inc., Sporkin headed communications for regional, national and worldwide divisions of the company. Among her responsibilities, she was Senior Vice President and chief communications officer for a new CBS global business group and its six business units from start-up through a period of significant growth and change. She previously led communications divisions as an executive at The Walt Disney Company and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Sporkin graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Liberal Arts. About AAP
The Association of American Publishers is the national trade association of the US book publishing industry. AAP’s members include most major commercial publishers as well as smaller and non-profit publishers, university presses and scholarly societies. AAP members publish hardcover and paperback books in every field; educational materials for the elementary, secondary, postsecondary and professional markets; scholarly journals; computer software; and digital products and services. The protection of intellectual property rights in all media, the defense of the freedom to read and the freedom to publish at home and abroad and the promotion of reading and literacy are among the Association’s highest priorities. # # # | 