Abingdon Press Welcomes New Marketing Team Members
and Promotes from Within 

Contact:
Brenda Smotherman
Publicity and Marketing Manager
Abingdon Press
bsmotherman@abingdonpress.com
615-749-6290

(Nashville, TN) – Abingdon Press has announced the hiring of three new members to their marketing department. Joining the team are Trice Gibbons and Deanna Nelson who will serve as marketing managers, and Lindsey Sparrow who will serve as Assistant Marketing Manager.  

In addition to new hires, the company has also promoted Brenda Smotherman, formerly the Associate Publicity Manager, to the role of Publicity and Marketing Manager. She will continue to focus on public relations opportunities for their top titles as well as assume responsibilities for the overall marketing of the Abingdon Women Bible Study line. 

Prior to being promoted, Brenda Smotherman had served as Associate Publicity Manager for Abingdon Press since April 2013. Prior to that she worked as a publicist for Thomas Nelson, Inc. nonfiction titles, and previously handled their Bible, reference, and curriculum products. In her earlier career she served as a publicist for McCain & Co. Public Relations, and worked over a decade in the Christian music industry with the majority of her years focused on Provident Label Group artists handling marketing and tour promotions. 

Trice Gibbons comes to Abingdon Press with many years of experience as a product manager in the healthcare industry. He completed a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt in 2013 where he was awarded the competitive Carpenter Scholarship based on academic achievement and his demonstrated commitment to social justice in ministry. His primary responsibilities will include brand management of Covenant Bible Study and Ministry Matters as well as participation in strategic planning for new marketing initiatives. 

Deanna Nelson managed marketing efforts for the CrossBooks imprint under LifeWay’s B&H publishing division. She has more than 20 years of marketing, advertising and brand building experience, both in agencies and corporate marketing department environments. Deanna attended California State University in Long Beach. Her primary responsibilities will include managing Christian Living books, but she will also oversee select Leadership titles. 

Lindsey Sparrow has worked in marketing and communication roles at Nazarene Theological Seminary, Trevecca Nazarene University, and most recently for The Gideons International where she interacted and assisted with members and directors from around the world. She holds a degree in Journalism from Point Loma Nazarene University with an emphasis in creative writing. In her position, she will manage the marketing related work in support of Abingdon Press trade sales efforts.

“These staff members bring a wealth of experience and heart for ministry to their roles,” noted Tamara Crabtree, Executive Director, Marketing and Sales at Abingdon Press. “We have a bright future ahead for Abingdon Press with a great team and excellent products.” 

Abingdon Press is the publishing imprint for The United Methodist Publishing House and has a tradition of crossing denominational boundaries with thought-provoking and enjoyable books. It has a commitment to providing the best, most effective religious publications available which include a wide array of quality Christian living, fiction, devotional, academic, professional, and reference titles published each year to enrich church communities across the globe.  Visit them online at AbingdonPress.com. 

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