wfn.org | CMD Beefs Up Marketing and Management of Curriculum Publishing

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

1-June-1999 
99213 
 
    CMD Beefs Up Marketing and Management 
    of Curriculum Publishing Enterprise 
 
    by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - With the much-anticipated new "Covenant People" 
curriculum nearing completion, two personnel changes designed to bolster 
the chances that the new curriculum will be a commercial success have been 
announced. 
 
    In a release dated May 26, interim Congregational Ministries Division 
(CMD) director the Rev. Richard M. Ferguson, announced that Donna 
Blackstock, former associate director for CMD's Curriculum Publishing 
Program Area (CPPA), has been named editorial director, and that James D. 
Marchal has joined the staff as interim publisher for CPPA through December 
1999. 
 
    "Covenant People" has been in development for five years, and CPPA, 
having invested heavily in it, is banking on robust sales of the new 
curriculum when it goes on sale next year. 
 
    "This management shift will provide for additional editorial services, 
while continuing the excellent services of the current editorial staff, and 
allow a greater focus on identifying current and future editorial needs and 
opportunities of our Presbyterian congregations and publishing partners," 
Ferguson said. 
 
    Marchal, who started his own consulting business after working for many 
years as a business manager for the Gannett newspaper chain and the "The 
(Louisville) Courier-Journal," will help develop a business plan for CPPA 
and a marketing strategy for "Covenant People." He most recently provided 
consulting services for development of a marketing strategy for  the 
Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program and CPPA during the summer of 
1998. 
 
    "Management's goal will continue to be forecasting, overseeing and 
strengthening the infrastructure of [CPPA]," Marchal said. "We will 
continue to be responsible for ensuring customer satisfaction and employee 
development, as well as managing with the best business practices. We will 
utilize state-of-the-art audience and market segmentation and sales 
techniques that are appropriate within the Presbyterian community." 
 
    Blackstock said she is looking forward to working with Marchal. 
 
    "Jim and I have developed a solid working relationship," she said. "We 
communicate well with each other and will make a strong management team." 

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