(Nashville, Tenn.) September 27, 2011 – Bestselling author and internationally renowned keynote speaker, Marcus Buckingham, has once again hit the best-seller’s lists with his new business book “StandOut: The Groundbreaking New Strengths Assessment from the Leader of the Strengths Revolution.” The book has debuted at #3 in the “Hardcover Business” category of The Wall Street Journal’s Best-Selling Books List and #67 in the USA Today’s Best-Selling Books Top 150 List, based on sales through Sunday, September 18^th. It was also announced that for the week commencing October 2^nd, “StandOut” will be positioned at #11 on the “Hardcover Advice, How-To, Misc.” category, on the New York Times’ Best Seller List.

Over the last decade, Marcus Buckingham has revolutionized the business world with his groundbreaking ideas. Now, with his new book, “StandOut” (9781400202379/ $22.99/ Thomas Nelson), he is providing the next generation a “strengths assessment,” that allows for customization and individualization with cutting edge technology, that will give any professional a distinct edge at work.

Instead of simply describing a professional’s work-style, the book and its online assessment provide information allows readers to, take your work to the next level based on the algorithm of you.  The featured “StandOut” assessment measures nine specific “Strength Roles” revealing the reader’s most prominent top two. These two “roles” are where readers will make the greatest contribution in their professional life. This is what Buckingham describes as the individual’s edge—where they will have a natural advantage over everyone else. Where other assessments stop at descriptive, “StandOut” is prescriptive, taking the next step by providing practical advice on “what to do” to make the most of one’s strengths. Additional information is available by visiting StandOut.TMBC.com. 

Marcus Buckingham’s groundbreaking ideas started a “Strengths” revolution that has changed the business world.  His books have sold more than four million copies and he addresses over 250,000 people each year as a highly sought after keynote speaker.  Through his training and management consulting firm, The Marcus Buckingham Company (www.TMBC.com), he teaches managers how to turn their associates’ strengths into performance.

Before launching TMBC, Buckingham spent nearly two decades as a Senior Researcher at Gallup studying what drives exceptional performance in the world’s best managers.  A past member of the Secretary of States’ Advisory Committee on Leadership and Management, he graduated from Cambridge University with a Master’s Degree in Social and Political Science.  He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.

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StandOut: The Groundbreaking New Strengths Assessment from the Leader of the Strengths Revolution

By Marcus Buckingham

Jacketed Hardcover ISBN: 9781400202379 / E-Book ISBN: 9781400203666 / MSRP: $22.99
Available Now from Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Contact:     Brenda Smotherman

                   Publicist

                   tel:    (615) 902-2231

                   email: bsmotherman@thomasnelson.com

                   web:  www.thomasnelson.com

Thomas Nelson, Inc. is one of the leading trade publishers in the United States. Originally founded in Scotland, 1798, the Company has become the world’s leading provider of inspirational content, headquartered in Nashville, TN.  Thomas Nelson sells products including: books, e-Books, curriculum and digital apps for download on electronic devices, in more than 100 countries across the world.  For more information, please visit www.thomasnelson.com.

(Nashville, Tenn.) – After its first official week of release, StandOut: The Groundbreaking New Strengths Assessment from the Leader of the Strengths Revolution, by bestselling author and internationally renowned keynote speaker Marcus Buckingham, will debut at #11 on the “Hardcover Advice, How-To, Misc.” New York Times Best Seller List for the week of October 2^nd.

Over the last decade, Marcus Buckingham has revolutionized the business world with his groundbreaking ideas. Now, with his new book, StandOut (9781400202379/ $22.99/ Thomas Nelson), he introduces the next generation strengths assessment, with cutting edge technology, that will give any professional a distinct edge at work. 

In today’s world, people demand customization and individualization of content delivery. Most strengths assessments pull you apart and describe your style—they make you feel good about yourself. However, just like product customization is among the most critical means for achieving true value, StandOut provides the information to take your work to the next level based on the algorithm of you.

The innovative StandOut assessment measures individuals on nine Strength Roles revealing their top two. These two Strength Roles are where they will make their greatest contribution. They are their edge—where they will have a natural advantage over everyone else, which is essential given today’s economy and jobs agenda issues. And they are their multiplier— where they will most quickly learn and improve upon any innovations, techniques, or best practices that complement these roles. 

Where other assessments stop at description, StandOut is prescriptive taking the next step by providing practical advice on what to do to make the most of one’s strengths. Additional information is available by visiting StandOut.TMBC.com.

“StandOut is a true reflection of Marcus Buckingham working from his core strengths,” notes Brian Hampton Senior Vice President and Publisher for Thomas Nelson’s Nonfiction Trade Group. ‘We’re excited to see that the book is resonating with people and helping them win at work.”

Marcus Buckingham’s groundbreaking ideas started a strengths revolution that has changed the business world.  His books have sold more than four million copies and he addresses over 250,000 people each year as a highly sought after keynote speaker.  Through his training and management consulting firm, The Marcus Buckingham Company (www.TMBC.com), he teaches managers how to turn their associates’ strengths into performance.

Before launching TMBC, Buckingham spent nearly two decades as a Senior Researcher at Gallup studying what drives exceptional performance in the world’s best managers.  A past member of the Secretary of States’ Advisory Committee on Leadership and Management, he graduated from Cambridge University with a Master’s Degree in Social and Political Science.  He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.

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StandOut: The Groundbreaking New Strengths Assessment from the Leader of the Strengths Revolution

By Marcus Buckingham

Jacketed Hardcover ISBN: 9781400202379 / E-Book ISBN: 9781400203666 / MSRP: $22.99
Available Now from Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Contact:     Brenda Smotherman

                   Publicist

                   tel:    (615) 902-2231

                   email: bsmotherman@thomasnelson.com

                   web:  www.thomasnelson.com

Thomas Nelson, Inc. is one of the leading trade publishers in the United States. Originally founded in Scotland, 1798, the Company has become the world’s leading provider of inspirational Christian content, headquartered in Nashville, TN.  The Thomas Nelson Live Events division, based in Plano, Texas, is the number one producer of live events in the Christian market, hosting the Women of Faith events and The Revolve Tour.  The Company’s self-publishing division, WestBow Press,  allows new authors a speed-to-market advantage while also benefitting from Thomas Nelson’s publishing heritage.  The Company continues to inspire the world, with product in over 100 different countries.  For more information, please visit www.thomasnelson.com.

September 22, 2011- Plano, Texas- Thomas Nelson Live Events, the number one producer of live events in the Christian market, announced today the addition of Patrick Koors as its new Vice President of Marketing. Koors joins the Live Events division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. in the Company’s effort to strategically expand its marketing outreach and drive awareness of our events to a larger audience.

“We are thrilled to have Patrick join our team!” said Sally Hofmann, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Thomas Nelson Live Events. “Patrick brings to Thomas Nelson Live Events a very successful track record and in-depth knowledge of the live events industry, working with companies such as The Walt Disney Company, AEG and Feld Entertainment. He brings great past experience in implementing publicity promotions for nationally-recognized events―such as the Ringling Brothers Circus, Disney Live, Amgen Tour of California (the largest cycling tour in America). The creative vision and forward thinking that Patrick brings to Live Events makes him a perfect fit for our team.”

Koors joins the Thomas Nelson Live Events team at the perfect time to introduce objectives that create a greater value for the guests at Women of Faith events. Historically, Thomas Nelson Live Events has primarily focused on Women of Faith two-day arena events. In 2012, we will introduce a new concept: in addition to our arena events, a one-day event featuring renowned speakers such as Christine Caine, Angie Smith, and Sheila Walsh.

“Women of Faith is a vibrant movement that helps women deal with life’s challenges,” continues Hofmann. “We offer women an escape from their day to day lives with captivating speakers, relatable dramas and uplifting music that will help them find courage, inspiration and fulfillment. With the addition of Patrick Koors, Live Events will be able to fine-tune its market expansion strategy and influence even more individuals with the message of having an authentic life changing encounter with God and one another”.

For more information about speakers, guests, and tour dates, please visit www.womenoffaith.com

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Thomas Nelson Live Events, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. is the number one producer of live events in the Christian market, nationwide. Live Events is host to Women of Faith events and The Revolve Tour. To date, Thomas Nelson Live Events has inspired over four and a half million women with its message of hope and God’s love. Based in Plano, Texas, the Live Events division of Thomas Nelson travels to numerous cities across the United States, encouraging women to grow in faith and spirituality. For more information on these events, or to find an event listing, please visit www.womenoffaith.com. Thomas Nelson, Inc. continues to inspire the world as the largest Christian publisher with products in more than 100 different countries worldwide.

Max Lucado’s Bestselling Brand to Have Fresh Design, Packaging and New DVD Pricing

(Nashville, Tenn.) – With more than 5.5 million units sold in the Max Lucado’s Hermie & Friends™ line, Max Lucado’s beloved book and DVD brand is planning to refresh and re-launch in the fall of 2011. The re-launch that includes board books, a hardcover level two reader, and DVD’s, will release on October 4th, 2011 with the new everyday value DVD pricing starting in September. A second new hardcover level two reader is set to release in spring of 2012.

The new Max Lucado’s Hermie & Friends™ will include a fresh design with bright, colorful new art, and will feature a mix of classic and new stories for kids of all ages. The hardcover Level Two Readers have been designed for kids starting to read on their own. They will feature basic vocabulary words and simple sentences. The Little Hermie board books will include sweet, soft art and simple rhyming text that explains basic Christian concepts for toddlers. New design, packaging, brand new books, and lower DVD pricing all help busy families bring faith into their daily lives affordably.

The beloved DVD line, produced by GlueWorks Animation, will have a new lower retail price and a larger emphasis on felt needs for children. The new DVD pricing for the Hermie brand will include $12.99 for a two-episode classic DVD pack and $9.99 for a classic single episode package, adding more value for the consumers than the previous $15 single episode packages. The two-episode DVD packs will include two classic Hermie episodes based on a Christian felt-need message.

“The Hermie brand is very special to me”, says author Max Lucado about Hermie & Friends™. “We’ve all come to love this little caterpillar and consider him our friend in helping us give parents tools for teaching the importance of prayer and for learning how to live as Jesus would. The relaunch is the beginning of a new era for Hermie—the illustrations are warmer, more inviting and childlike. I think Hermie lovers and new fans of Hermie will be as happy as I am with the latest design.”

The Max Lucado’s Hermie & Friends™ relaunch will include upcoming releases of DVD and book titles including:

DVDs
• I Won’t Be Afraid, God Is Always With Me (DVD)
• A Fruitcake Christmas (DVD)
• I am Special, God Loves Me (DVD)

BOOKS
• Thank You, God, For Loving Me (brand new board book introducing Little Hermie)
• Thank You, God, For Blessing Me (Little Hermie board book #2)
• Hermie, a Common Caterpillar (level 2 reader)

“Hermie has helped so many children come to know the love of God”, says Laura Minchew, Vice President & Publisher Children and Gift Books. “How exciting that Max can share these faith messages so that kids can read for themselves the Level 2 Reader and through the precious Little Hermie board books.”

About Max Lucado:
Max Lucado’s works have appeared on every major national bestseller list including Publishers Weekly, USA Today, The New York Times, Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, and Christian Booksellers Association. He has been featured in countless media outlets and national broadcasts. Max’s writings have been published in a wide array of formats including adult books, gift books, children’s titles, Bibles, commentaries, calendars and devotionals. Max Lucado is the Minister of Preaching at the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, where he has served since 1988. He has been married to Denalyn Lucado since 1981, and they have three grown daughters—Jenna, Andrea and Sara—and one son-in-law, Brett. More on Max Lucado can be found at http://www.MaxLucado.com.

About GlueWorks Animation:
GlueWorks Animation has been a leader in all aspects of animation since 1999 including entertainment production, corporate branding, intellectual property development and feature film special effects. Its management team has worked with the leaders in the entertainment field including NBC, Twentieth Century Fox, universal and Disney as well as major Fortune 500 companies such as Bank of America, General Electric and Microsoft. GlueWorks Animation has Co-Executive Produced each Max Lucado’s Hermie & Friends™ DVD title to date. More on GlueWorks Animation can be found at http://www.glueworksanimation.com/.

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Tommy Nelson, the children’s division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., was created to place into the hands of children a wide variety of high quality, enjoyable products that are consistent with the teachings found in the Bible. For more information, visit our website www.tommynelson.com.

For more on Tommy Nelson – find us online at
Facebook.com/TommyNelsonKids
Twitter.com/TommyNelson

For More information please contact:

Julie Solomon Backman
Publicist, Thomas Nelson
615-902-1722
jbackman@thomasnelson.com

Rick Eldridge
GlueWorks Animation
704-375-4321
rick@reelworks.net

Thomas Nelson’s Prestige Gift Line Renews Commitment to Meeting Retailer Needs

(Nashville, Tenn.) Originally launching in 1995, JCountryman set the standard within the gift book industry by placing the stamp of exceptional quality and innovative design to each and every one of its journals, devotionals and promise books. Now, sixteen years later, the reputation and legacy continues as the growing progress with Thomas Nelson’s new prestige line of products JCountryman is seen throughout the retailing industry.
One national Christian retailer has reported a near 100% unit sales increase in stores with the floor display versus similar stores without. Independent Christian retail stores with floor displays report inventory turns of 6 times, doubling the turns seen at non-floor display stores. Adding to the success, the JCountryman display has helped increase visibility for JCountryman titles on numerous bestseller lists, including ECPA. Desiring to join in the success, a number of new national and international stores have signed onto the program in recent weeks.

“Of our three stores, I can see a definite improvement in sales of these gift books at our location with the display than at the two without it”, said Miranda Epperson at Cedar Springs Christian Store in Knoxville, TN.

With a remarkable history and reputation within the industry, JCountryman titles have reached an unprecedented mark of over $375 million in sales. Titles such as the best-selling devotional Jesus Calling by Sarah Young have sold over 1.7 million copies.

“During the recent months we have had the opportunity to witness sales success using the JCountryman display and face out sections. All of the stores are experiencing an increase in sales of the JCountryman devotionals, promise books and journals. We are committed to bringing, meaningful, beautifully designed gift books  with great content that will touch lives and change lives for His glory,” states JCountryman founder, Jack Countryman.

New summer releases on the display out June 1^st, 2011 such as God’s Promises for the American Patriot, by Dr. Richard Lee and Jack Countryman, A Leader’s Heart by John Maxwell and Live Loved by Max Lucado will deliver the same moving and profound content consumers have come to rely on with JCountryman products. A seasonal end cap that features top gift book products from the line is slated to start in September 2011.

JCountryman line is flexible to the needs of retail stores with display and endcap options. Featuring products from best-selling authors such as John Maxwell, Max Lucado, Sheila Walsh, Beth Moore, Dr. Richard Lee and Sarah Young, J Countryman promises to deliver new life changing content to inspire the world.

JACK COUNTRYMAN IS AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS
To schedule an interview, contact Julie Solomon, jsolomon@thomasnelson.com

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Thomas Nelson Gift Division sets the standard within the gift book industry by placing exceptional quality and innovative design in each and every one of its journals, devotionals, promise books and gift books. For more information, visit our website www.thomasnelson.com.