(Nashville, Tenn.) Thomas Nelson, Inc. announced today the promotion of Gary Davidson to the position of Senior Vice President and Group Publisher of Thomas Nelson’s Bible Group. Davidson brings over twenty years of experience working with Christian products. He has worked for Thomas Nelson for thirteen years, leading Thomas Nelson’s Christian Retail Sales team for the last eight, and the Ministry Development and Church Direct team for the last two.

“I am confident that Gary is the right person to lead our Bible team,” said Mark Schoenwald, president and chief operating officer of Thomas Nelson. “Gary has a distinguished track record of building strong business units by casting vision, building cohesive teams, executing plans, and anticipating the needs of our customers.”

Thomas Nelson veteran and Bible scholar Bob Sanford will return to the company to act as Vice President and Associate Publisher of the group. Sanford, who has worked intimately with the Bible category over the lastthirty years, has unparalleled experience and vast knowledge of the business.

Schoenwald continued, “Bob’s intimate Bible knowledge makes him the perfect compliment to Gary. Working side-by-side they will help strengthen the core of our business, our Bible, reference, and curriculum division.”

Tom Knight will be promoted to fill Davidson’s current role as Senior Vice President of Christian Retail Sales and Ministry Development. With over 10 years of experience working in Christian retail, Knight has demonstrated the ability to develop strong teams through his hands-on management and the ability to build alignment around strategic plans. Knight’s successor has not been appointed, although leadership is evaluating several options and hoping to make an announcement as quickly as possible.

“I am so excited about the privilege of leading Thomas Nelson’s Bible Group,” said Davidson. “They are a strong and passionate team doing extraordinary work to make the Word more accessible for readers around the world. I am leaving the Christian Retail and Ministry team in Tom’s very capable hands. Our working relationship, and my new role, open up new possibilities for creating great Bible, reference, and curriculum products for our Christian and Ministry retail partners.”

Leading Publisher Holds Five Out of Top 10 Bible Titles

(Nashville, Tenn.) Thomas Nelson, Inc.’s Bible Group has claimed half of the November 2009 ECPA Bible Bestsellers List’s Top 10 slots. The leading Christian publisher is holding five of the top positions with titles that include: the NKJV Text Bible (otherwise known as Nelson’s Million Bible Challenge Bible), the NKJV Gift and Award Bible in black Leatherflex, the hardcover edition of The American Patriot’s Bible, and the KJV Gift and Award Bible’s blue and black Leatherflex offerings. In fact, Thomas Nelson currently holds more slots than any other publisher on the Bible list overall. These results continue to identify Thomas Nelson, who has been publishing Bibles for 200-plus years, as a strong leader in the Bible publishing industry.

“I’m encouraged by the continued support our product has from consumers and our retail partners,” notes Senior Vice President and Group Publisher of Thomas Nelson’s Bible Group Wayne Hastings. “I believe this type of success along with our solid line of new releases positions us well for a strong Christmas season with the ultimate goal of getting more Bibles in the hands of people who need them.”

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association’s (ECPA) Bestseller Lists are compiled using adult book sales data from Christian retail stores across the U.S. A book must have sales in at least 20% of reporting stores during at least one week of the represented reporting cycle to be placed on the list. Only Trade Paper, Cloth and Mass Market Paper books are reported, tracts, mini-books or booklets are not included on this list. Only books which are offered to Christian stores at a trade discount from a publisher or wholesaler are featured on the list. Seasonal/holiday books are omitted from this list.

Thomas Nelson, Inc. is a leading provider of Bibles, products, and live events emphasizing Christian, inspirational and family value themes. For more information on the company and titles, visit http://www.thomasnelson.com or http://www.nelsonbibles.com.

Contact:

Brenda Smotherman

Publicist

tel: (615) 902-2231

fax: (615) 902-1132

web: www.thomasnelson.com

CHICAGO – In today’s society many people are seeking hope. Academy Awards® winners Jon Voight, Richard Dreyfuss, Marcia Gay Harden, Lou Gossett, Jr., and hundreds of other actors have joined together to create The Word of Promise® Audio Bible, a dramatic audio theater production that offers hope and inspiration to listeners. After three years of production, the 90+ hour project will be released through Thomas Nelson, Inc. in late September in a special 79 CD box set collection or 11 MP3 CD offering with a bonus features DVD.
“This Bible project, I think, is going to be the most important thing that I have ever done, or have ever been associated with,” says John Rhys-Davies (The Lord of the Rings trilogy), who portrays King Saul in the Old Testament. “As a piece of theater, it just completely swept me away. I found myself more excited by stories that I knew before, than I had ever been.”

Producer Carl Amari, known by many for his popular The Twilight Zone™ Radio Dramas, led The Word of Promise® endeavor and approached Cannes Award-winning JoBe Cerny to join him in 2006 as the director of the project.

“It feels like my entire career has been preparation for this one project. When Carl called me to do it, it felt like the kind of call you wait your whole life to get,” says Cerny. “In my line of work, actors always ask ‘what’s my motivation?’ before they start a scene. The Bible is about people searching for their motivation, their purpose in life. It truly was a director’s dream project.”

After 6,000 hours each of studio time, eight recording studios, and over 175,000 takes, Cerny and Amari have completed what is arguably the most ambitious dramatization of the Bible ever taken.

“We wanted every single moment to be exciting for the listener, like they were really there experiencing the parting of the Red Sea, Jonah and the whale, and Jesus’ teachings,” says Amari. “We wanted to create an experience for Christians and non-Christians alike, where they get to be a part of an incredible drama, “adds Cerny.

For The Word of Promise®, Cerny directed Hollywood heavyweights including Gary Sinise as David, Jesse McCartney as young David and Daniel, Stacy Keach as Paul and Job, Malcolm McDowell as Solomon, Joan Allen as Deborah, Lou Diamond Phillips as Mark, Luke Perry as Judas, Ernie Hudson as Peter, Sean Astin as Elihu, Harry Hamlin as Nehemiah, Jim Caviezel as Jesus, Martin Jarvis as the voice of God, and many more. He also led top Foley artists in creating gripping sound effects using both high-tech equipment and everyday items, such as raw chicken breasts thrown onto a cement slab for the plague of the frogs in Exodus.

“I have never before composed and conducted so many hours of music for one project,” notes Italian composer Stefano Mainetti, who scored over 100 hours of original music for The Word of Promise® in Bulgaria and Rome. “This daily contact has definitely had an influence over me.”

“Carl and JoBe are approaching it with a seriousness and a passion that I think is admirable. They are literally trying to bring alive the New Testament and the Old Testament in a way that is engaging, thoughtful, and truly professional,” notes actor Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) who voices Joseph. “It’s actually being done with an integrity that I rather admire. That’s why I was delighted to be a part of it.”

CARL AMARI is the President and CEO of Falcon Picture Group, a Chicago-based production, development and distribution company dedicated to family-friendly audio, video and DVD products. JOBE CERNY is an award-winning international speaker, the president of Cerny American Creative, and has garnered more than 450 awards during his acting, directing, and voice-over personality career. When The Word of Promise® New Testament launched in 2007, it received the highest honors a project of its kind could receive including the 2008 Evangelical Christian Publishers Association’s (ECPA) “Christian Book of the Year” Award, three Gold Millennium Awards and first place in Christian Retailing Magazine’s “Retailer’s Choice Awards.” To learn more, visit www.thomasnelson.com.

Contact: Tolly Moseley at (512) 478-2028 x213

(Nashville, Tenn.) Today, Dr. Richard G. Lee, the General Editor of The American Patriot’s Bible, officially announced that he has launched the “Honor and Pray for an American Patriot” campaign on americanpatriotsbible.com in partnership with his publisher Thomas Nelson, Inc. Together they’re challenging Christian Americans to rise up and pray for the nation and those who have dedicated their lives to being a positive influence on its citizens and the world.

This is a time for our local communities to recognize people that they believe represent a true American Patriot. A patriot could be a former teacher, family member, military officer, civil servant, pastor, etc., who has prominently displayed the godly qualities that helped shape the legacy of our great nation and who have followed the path paved by godly men and women, like those discussed in The American Patriot’s Bible.

As a part of this nation-wide challenge, visitors to americanpatriotsbible.com can share a name, story, and photo to be displayed in an online American Patriot’s gallery. Those represented will receive a special certificate of recognition letting them know that they have been honored for their faith, patriotism, and loyalty. The dedications will also allow individuals and churches to pray for the people in the gallery.

“Now, more than ever in America, it’s essential that Christians take a stand to say ‘in God we still trust.’ We need to be in prayer about what’s happening in the United States as well as the world,” says Lee.

“I’ve no doubt that each of us has witnessed Christian works in action, and it’s by those examples that others are often motivated to leave their personal mark for Christ. The ‘Honor and Pray for An American Patriot’ campaign was developed to recognize and celebrate our modern-day patriots of faith,” notes Wayne Hastings, Senior Vice President and Group Publisher for Thomas Nelson, Inc.’s Bible Group.

The idea for the call to action stemmed from the subject matter included in The American Patriot’s Bible (Thomas Nelson) which reveals how faith has impacted the overall formation of this country. Joining with the sacred New King James version (NKJV) text are stories of American heroes, quotations from and articles about many of America’s greatest thinkers, historic photographs, and beautiful illustrations that present the rich heritage and tremendous future of the United States of America.

Dr. Richard G. Lee is the Founding Pastor of First Redeemer Church in Atlanta. There’s Hope America, the radio and television ministry for which Dr. Lee is a speaker, is broadcast nationwide in 42 million homes across the U.S. and in 17 additional countries.
Thomas Nelson, Inc. is a leading provider of Bibles, products, and live events emphasizing Christian, inspirational and family value themes. For more information on the company and titles, visit http://www.thomasnelson.com.
Contact:    Brenda Smotherman
Publicist
tel:    (615) 902-2231
fax:    (615) 902-1132
email: bsmotherman@thomasnelson.com

(Nashville, Tenn.) Thomas Nelson, Inc. was awarded six of Christian Retailing’s 2009 Retailer’s Choice Awards. The awards were announced on Monday, July 13th at the International Christian Retail Show in Denver, Colorado. Thomas Nelson received more any other publishing house and walked away with a fifth of the cumulative awards.

“There are two things about Retailer’s Choice Awards that make them among the highest honors in the industry,” said Michael S. Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson. “First, the awards are selected by Christian retailers, who work on the front lines helping Christians strengthen their spiritual journey. Second, the awards are judged on a product’s ability to inspire, encourage, and affirm Godly living. I am so proud of our team.”

The Thomas Nelson winners are:

• The Word of Promise Next Generation: New Testament Audio Bible (Audio)
• Baby’s First Bible (Bibles: General)
• What in the World Is Going On? by David Jeremiah (Bibles - General)
• Fireproof by Eric Wilson (Fiction: General)
• Looking Up When Life Is Looking Down by Beth Moore (Gift Books)
• Chronological Study Bible Campaign (Marketing/Promotion Campaign)

Products nominated for the 2009 Retailer’s Choice Awards must include clear Christian content, message or worldview. Retailers judged the 250 nominations in 30 categories on the impact they have had on staff and customers, including their ability to speak to people’s hearts and evoke emotion, open people’s minds to new ways of thinking, and encourage and affirm Christ-like living. For more a complete listing of the 2009 Retailer’s Choice Awards, visit www.retailerschoiceawards.com.

Thomas Nelson is a leading provider of Bibles, products, and live events emphasizing Christian, inspirational and family value themes.  For more information, visit our website www.thomasnelson.com.

Contact:    Lindsey Nobles
Director of Corporate Communications   

tel:    (615) 902-1109    

fax:  (615) 902-1110
cell:  (615) 476-5984    

e-mail:  lnobles@thomasnelson.com

“I am very excited about this partnership, says Wayne Hastings, Senior Vice President and Publisher of Thomas Nelson’s Bible Group. “Standard has a long tradition of serving churches across the country with integrity and service, and we’re honored to have their team come alongside us and represent Thomas Nelson’s life-changing small group and church resources.”

“Because of our position as one of the leading publishers of Vacation Bible School programs and church curriculum products, Standard is very effective at creating awareness of our products at the church level,” notes Larry A. Carpenter President and Publisher of Standard Publishing. “We are proud that Thomas Nelson has recognized our capabilities and given us the opportunity to sell their God-honoring products in to the churches with which we work.”

For more than 140 years, Standard Publishing has been raising the standard for true-to-the-Bible resources that educate, encourage, and enrich. The company is based in Cincinnati, Ohio where it was founded in 1866. For more information, visit www.standardpub.com.

Contact:    Brenda Smotherman
Publicist
tel:    (615) 902-2231
fax:    (615) 902-1132
web:    www.thomasnelson.com

(Nashville, Tenn.) Thomas Nelson, Inc. announced today that thirteen of its products or campaigns have been chosen to be finalists for Christian Retailing’s 2009 Retailer’s Choice Awards. Products or campaigns nominated for the 2009 Retailer’s Choice Awards must include clear Christian content, message, or worldview. Retailers judge nominations on the impact they have had on staff and customers, including their ability to speak to people’s hearts and evoke emotion, open people’s minds to new ways of thinking, and encourage and affirm Christlike living.

The winner in each category will be announced on Monday, July 13, during the International Christian Retail Show in Denver, Colorado. Winners will appear in the August 10 issue of Christian Retailing. The Thomas Nelson finalists are:

The Word of Promise Next Generation, New Testament - Audio
Chronological Study Bible - Bibles (Devotional/Study)
Baby’s First Bible - Bibles (General)
The Voice, New Testament - Bibles (General)

Sweet Dreams Princess by Sheila Walsh - Children’s Non-Fiction

What in the World Is Going On? by David Jeremiah - Church and Culture

Fireproof by Eric Wilson - Fiction (General)

Sinner: A Paradise Novel by Ted Dekker - Fiction (Mystery and Suspence)

Walking with God by John Eldredge - Personal Growth/Prayer

A Baby Changes Everything by Tim Nichols, K.K. Wiseman, and Craig Wiseman - Gift Books

Looking Up When Life is Looking Down by Beth Moore - Gift Books

Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore - Backlist

Chronological Study Bible Campaign - Marketing/Promotion Campaign

Thomas Nelson is a leading provider of Bibles, products, and live events emphasizing Christian, inspirational and family value themes.  For more information, visit our website www.thomasnelson.com.

Contact:    Lindsey Nobles
Director of Corporate Communications
tel:    (615) 902-1109
fax:  (615) 902-1110
cell:  (615) 476-5984
e-mail:  lnobles@thomasnelson.com

“The company’s mission to inspire others through God’s Word matches my personal mission,” notes Ballerini. “Thomas Nelson is a place where my Christian values and beliefs will be supported, strengthened, and utilized to fuel the professional marketing efforts for some of the most dynamic Bible and study products available today. I am excited by both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Carla Ballerini’s experience in marketing, communications and public relations spans more than two decades of achievement with major product and service corporations nationwide.  She established Ballerini Marketing in 1992, where she created marketed materials and creative advertising campaigns for companies throughout the Southeast for which she has received numerous Addy Awards for national creative campaigns for Philips Consumer Electronics Company, Philips Business Solutions, Ski Beech, Shoney’s Restaurants, Y-12 Federal Credit Union, and others.

Prior to establishing Ballerini Marketing, she served as Senior Vice President of The Rowland Company, one of the largest public relations and marketing communications agencies in the world and a division of Saatchi & Saatchi Company PLC, London.
Carla Ballerini has directed a variety of award-winning national marketing communications campaigns including the launch of Philips’ Compact Disc Interactive (CD-i) technology; TEDDY RUXPIN, the first animated talking toy; LAZER TAG, a unique infrared light technology toy; Intelligy Corporations’ WINGS early learning program; Polaroid’s Cool Cam, Honey Hill Farms frozen yogurt and Cooper Wiring Devices’ Aspire RF and MediaSync.

“Carla’s experience offers a fresh outlook to our team” comments Hastings. “We’re excited to have her join us in our vision of offering Bible, reference, and curriculum products that inspire the world.”

Contact:    Brenda Smotherman
Publicist
tel:    (615) 902-2231
fax:    (615) 902-1132
web:    www.thomasnelson.com

John Kirby, Director of The Word of Promise Next Generation, expresses the pride of everyone who worked on the project: “What an honor to have won this prestigious award and to have been surrounded by such inspiring nominees who are heroes of mine,” he says.

It is no surprise that this star-studded cast of voices captures the attention of both Audies® judges and the young people of their generation.  Stars like Cody Linley and Emily Osment of “Hannah Montana,” Corbin Bleu of “High School Musical,” American Idol’s Jordin Sparks, Sean Astin of “The Lord of the Rings,” and rising star Anna Sophia Robb are just a handful of the talented young people bringing the Bible to life for teen and tween listeners.

The Word of Promise® Next Generation was born out of a startling realization: a whole generation is missing the truths of the Bible.  According to a Barna survey of professing Christians, many young Christians today don’t believe in some of the very foundations of the faith—Satan is real, Jesus was sinless, and the Bible is all true.  On top of that, the study also found 43% of Christians who accept Jesus as their Savior do so before reaching the age of 13, and 64% before turning 18.  It seems today’s youth just won’t read the Bible, but Thomas Nelson hopes and believes they will listen.

“This award belongs to so many talented people,” says Carl Amari, Producer of the project. “I am personally humbled and thankful for the opportunity to produce a project that has the power to speak truth into young lives. I am thankful to the Audio Publishers Association, but more importantly to our Lord, for trusting me and my team with His Word and allowing us to be used to further the kingdom.”

The ICB (International Children’s Bible) New Testament, the bestselling and most readable translation created especially for today’s youth, comes to life in The Word of Promise® Next Generation as a full audio dramatic presentation.  The words leap off the page with incredible sound effects, a compelling new contemporary musical score, all produced in dramatic audio theater.  The same high quality Bible experience is available in a 21-hour, 20 CD set as well as a MP3 format so that youth can download it onto their music players to listen on-the-go.  Now, the same great content is also available in MP3 on a reusable USB flash drive bracelet for even the most tech-savvy young listeners.

In September, Thomas Nelson will unveil the complete cover-to-cover Dramatic Audio Theater™ adult production of the NKJV Bible when The Word of Promise® Old Testament Audio Bible and The Word of Promise® Audio Bible are released.  The Word of Promise® Audio Bible features a star-studded cast, including Jim Caviezel as Jesus, Richard Dreyfuss as Moses, and Lou Gossett, Jr. as John.

The Audies® Awards recognize distinction in audiobooks and spoken word entertainment.  The Audies® are sponsored by The Audio Publishers Association (APA), a not-for-profit trade organization whose primary goals are to promote awareness of the audiobook industry, gather and disseminate industry statistics, encourage high production standards and represent the interests of audiobook publishers.  Since 1986, the APA has worked to bring audio publishers together to increase interest in audiobooks. Please visit www.audiopub.org for more information.

Contact:    Abby Barnhart
Publicist
Tel:    (615) 902-2932
Email: abarnhart@thomasnelson.com

(Nashville, Tenn.) The forthcoming Bible title The American Patriot’s Bible (May 2009, Thomas Nelson) takes readers on a powerful journey revealing how faith has seen American citizens through troubled times, as well as impacted the overall formation of this great nation.  Within its pages, readers will find a special section dedicated to the pursuit of equal rights which includes figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President Barack Obama as one of the many introspective historic articles featured in the title.

“We are experiencing change in America, and it was essential to spotlight how faith in God has been there to strengthen the activists when a monumental fight for freedom and justice was at hand,” notes Dr. Richard G. Lee who serves as the general editor for the project, as well as founding pastor of First Redeemer Church (Atlanta, GA), and speaker for the There’s Hope America ministry.

“As the late Dr. King noted ‘our actions must be guided by the deepest principles of our Christian faith,’” reflects Lee. “Hopefully, President Obama’s recent decision to engage pastors in discussions on the role of religion in politics is yet another display of how faith continues to impact our nation. The American Patriot’s Bible will help readers discover the cornerstone upon which America, and her great men and women, have built their lives and this ‘one Nation under God.’”

Overall, The American Patriot’s Bible spotlights the people and events that demonstrate the godly qualities that have made America great. Joining with the sacred New King James version (NKJV) text are stories of American heroes, quotations from and articles about many of America’s greatest thinkers, historic photographs, and beautiful illustrations that present the rich heritage and tremendous future of the United States of America. It connects three important elements: the teachings of the Bible, the history of the United States, and the connection it has to its citizens today. Throughout the pages readers will discover little known facts about historic events and other national treasures such as notations of every known Bible verse on which our presidents rested their hands when they were sworn into office.

“What’s exciting about this Bible is that although it’s rooted in history it also reflects our nation today,” comments Wayne Hastings, the senior vice president and group publisher for Thomas Nelson’s Bible Group. “In fact, to our knowledge, this is the first Bible to ever include a mention of President Obama or to focus on the Bible’s influence on American culture.”

Thomas Nelson, Inc. is a leading provider of Bibles, products, and live events emphasizing Christian, inspirational and family value themes. For more information on the company and titles, visit http://www.thomasnelson.com.

PRODUCT DETAILS
The American Patriot’s Bible: The Word of God and the Shaping of America
General Editor: Dr. Richard G. Lee
Available May 2009
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4185-4153-8 / $39.99 US
Bonded Leather with subtle flag stamping ISBN: 978-1-4185-4154-5 / $59.99 US

Contact:    Brenda Smotherman
Publicist
tel:    (615) 902-2231
fax:    (615) 902-1132
email: bsmotherman@thomasnelson.com