Mike Bryan was named the new president of Penguin Canada on Wednesday, July 7 a month less a day after it was revealed David Davidar was leaving the company.
“He brings an enourmous amount of experience to Penguin Canada. He’s one of the most seasoned international executives that we have,” said John Makinson, Penguin’s Chairman and CEO, in an interview.
Bryan, who has been president and CEO of Penguin India since 2007, takes over from Davidar, who left the company last month under a cloud of controversy. He was accused of sexual harassment by former rights and contracts director Lisa Rundle — she launched a $523,000 suit against Davidar and Penguin Canada — though he maintained it was a “consensual, flirtatious relationship.” All three parties reached a settlement on Tuesday, and on Wednesday it was announced that Rundle will return to her previous job with Penguin “in a few weeks’ time.” According to a press release, “she is happy to resume her responsibilities and Penguin is pleased to welcome her back.”
The publishing house surely hopes the appointment of Bryan, a 30-year industry veteran, is the final chapter in a scandal which has consumed the Canadian book industry for the past several weeks.
“When you’ve been through a difficult time as we had, and you’re sitting where David (Shanks, CEO of Penguin USA) and I are sitting, you are slightly risk-adverse in some ways,” said Makinson. “There’s a lot to be said, I think, for people within the orgzniation. To have to have to comfort of a known quantity. He may not be very well known to you, but he’s very well known within Penguin.”
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