Minchew served as publisher of the Children’s Book and Education division, where she held a very successful record for growth and innovation. In 2009, Thomas Nelson’s Gift division was absorbed within her role and in 2010 she was asked to lead the Family Entertainment division.

Minchew and her team have consistently led the Company with the highest returns on invested capital, efficiently using its resources to obtain these results. Her team’s strong performance continues with the current #2 NY Times bestseller “Heaven Is For Real for Kids” and PubTrack’s consistently top five Christian seller “Jesus Calling”.

“Laura has demonstrated leadership by building a top notch team, creating outstanding product, and delivering superior results,” stated Tod Shuttleworth, Senior Vice President and Group Publisher for Global & Specialty Publishing. “Laura’s hard work and dedication have made the Specialty publishing division a very successful entity for Thomas Nelson.”

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Thomas Nelson, Inc. is the world’s largest Christian publisher. Live Event Management, Inc., a Thomas Nelson company, is the nation’s leading producer of Christian live events. The Company provides multiple forms of “inspirational” content including: Bibles, books, eBooks, journals, audio, video, curriculum and digital applications for “smart” electronic devices, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, TN. For additional information, please visit www.thomasnelson.com.

(Nashville, Tenn)- Thomas Nelson Gift Books released a line of apps today for their bestselling devotionals. The first apps in the launch include the platinum-selling devotional Jesus Calling and Max Lucado’s newest devotional Live Loved. These apps, priced at $9.99 each, are available for purchase today in the iTunes® Store for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad with apps for Droid phone and tablets following this fall.  The $9.99 app includes customized formatting for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

Each app includes all of the devotions and scripture from the book, as well as features that take each devotional to the next level in terms of interactivity and ease of use, including the ability to:

• Share excerpts or thoughts on social media platforms
• Add personal notes for each devotional
• Customize with a choice of beautiful backgrounds
• Search by topic, date, verse, or keyword
• Watch special videos and interviews with the author
• Shop for other products by the author
• Gift the app to a friend

“God’s love is vast, His grace unending,” says pastor and best-selling author Max Lucado. “My hope is that the Live Loved devotional app will provide each user with a continual, interactive reminder of God’s overflowing love and encouragement.”

With the print versions of these titles already showing great success in the consumer market, Thomas Nelson anticipates that these daily devotional apps will provide hope, encouragement and inspiration to a whole new generation of readers on the go.

“After Jesus Calling was made available to the public, I was astonished to hear people say, time after time, each day’s reading seems to be written just for me,” recalls author Sarah Young on the success of Jesus Calling.

Thomas Nelson is happy to provide these apps as a continued path toward convenient and user-friendly gift and inspirational product offerings.

Thomas Nelson Gift Books Publisher Laura Minchew explains, “Apps offer a new level of accessibility for this outstanding devotional content.  I especially love the ease of sharing content via Facebook or Twitter and the immediate giftability of the apps.”

Max Lucado has more than 100 million products in print, including 80 million book products, and a publishing career spanning 25 years. Many of his titles have been on national bestsellers lists like The New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly and ECPA. Lucado has been featured on many national media outlets including The TODAY Show, Good Morning America and Fox & Friends in the last year. Max and his wife Denalyn live in San Antonio, Texas, where he is Minister of Preaching at Oak Hills Church. More on Max Lucado can be found at www.MaxLucado.com.

Sarah Young is quietly leading millions of men and women worldwide on a journey of intimacy with Christ. Sarah and her husband have traveled around the world planting churches and counseling. They currently are ministering to a Japanese-speaking community in Australia. Hometown: Perth, Western Australia.

For more information, contact Julie Solomon, jsolomon@thomasnelson.com

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.

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The bestseller list success of Thomas Nelson Gift Books, including its prestigious JCountryman line, has propelled it to the unprecedented mark of more than 79 million books. Titles such as the best-selling devotional Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, God’s Promises® for Graduates: Class of 2011 by Jack Countryman, and Live Loved by Max Lucado are all included on the CBA bestseller list.

Laura Minchew, Publisher of Thomas Nelson Gift and Children Division says, “We are delighted to have such a great showing of bestsellers.  Devotionals are a strong and growing category, led by bestselling authors Sarah Young and Max Lucado. “

Originally launching in 1995, JCountryman set the standard within the gift book industry by providing exceptional quality and innovative design in each of its journals, devotionals and promise books. Now, 16 years later, this reputation and legacy continue as the growing progress with Thomas Nelson’s new prestige line of products JCountryman is seen throughout the retailing industry.

“We are so honored to have bestsellers from the J Countryman line represented on the July 2011 CBA Best Seller List. It is our constant desire to create beautiful gift books with great content that will “Touch Lives and Change Lives” for God’s glory. We are dedicated to producing meaningful books that meet the needs of men and women on every gift giving occasion,” states JCountryman founder, Jack Countryman.

Publisher Laura Minchew adds, “ JCountryman seasonal titles continue to perform exceptionally well.   We’ve found that the J Countryman Spinner has increased sell through of our titles by up to 93%”

The CBA Best Seller List is based on actual sales in Christian retail stores in the United States for the previous month. CBA was formed in 1950 in Chicago, IL, within the incredible 10-year span that saw the start of important evangelistic organization such as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Campus Crusade for Christ, The Navigators, World Vision, and Youth for Christ.

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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 of its journals, devotionals, promise books and gift books. For more information, visit our website www.thomasnelson.com.

(Nashville, Tenn)- Thomas Nelson Gift Books announced today a line of apps for their bestselling devotionals. The first apps in the launch include the platinum selling devotional Jesus Calling and Max Lucado’s newest devotional Live Loved. These apps, priced at $9.99 each, are available for purchase this summer in the iTunes®Store for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad with apps for Droid phone and tablets following this fall.

Each app includes all of the devotions and scripture from the book as well as features that take each devotional to the next level in terms of interactivity and ease of use, including the ability to:

·      Share excerpts or thoughts on social media platforms

·      Add personal notes for each devotional

·      Customize with a choice of beautiful backgrounds

·     Search by topic, date, verse, or keyword

·      Watch special videos and interviews with the author

·      Shop for other products by the author

·      Gift the app to a friend

“God’s love is vast, his grace unending,” says pastor and bestselling author Max Lucado.  “I invite you to dwell in the depth of his love daily as you explore these new apps.”

With the print versions of these titles already showing great success in the consumer market, Thomas Nelson anticipates that these daily devotional apps will provide hope, encouragement and inspiration to a whole new generation of readers on the go.

“After Jesus Calling was made available to the public, I was astonished to hear people say time after time each day’s reading seems to be written just for me,” recalls author Sarah Young on the success of Jesus Calling.

Thomas Nelson is happy to provide these apps as a continued path toward convenient and user-friendly gift and inspirational product offerings.

Thomas Nelson Gift Books Publisher Laura Minchew explains, “Apps offer a new level of accessibility for this outstanding devotional content.  I especially love the ease of sharing content via Facebook or Twitter and the immediate giftability of the apps.”

Max Lucado has more than 100 million products in print, including 80 million book products, and a publishing career spanning 25 years. Many of his titles have been on national bestsellers lists like The New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly and ECPA. Lucado has been featured on many national media outlets including The TODAY Show, Good Morning America and Fox & Friends in the last year. Max and his wife Denalyn live in San Antonio, Texas, where he is Minister of Preaching at Oak Hills Church. More on Max Lucado can be found at www.MaxLucado.com.

Sarah Young is quietly leading millions of men and women worldwide on a journey of intimacy with Christ. Sarah and her husbandhave traveled around the world planting churches and counseling. They currently are ministering to a Japanese-speaking community in Australia. Hometown: Perth, Western Australia.

For more information, 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.

(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.

(Nashville, Tenn.)  Thomas Nelson Gift and Childrens Division announced today the hiring and promotion of four team members. The new hires will take on their roles in the editorial and marketing departments effective immediately.

Jennifer Barrow joins the team as Editor, Children and Gift Books. Barrow previously worked as a freelance editor under the business name Now Edit This. From 2000 to 2006, Barrow worked for Multnomah Publishers in Sisters, Oregon. A talented professional, Jennifer has worked with multiple bestselling authors including Francis Chan, John Piper and Bruce Wilkinson.

Micah Walker has been promoted from Administrative Assistant to Assistant Editor. Walker graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in English from Belmont University in Nashville, TN, where she served as poetry editor for the Belmont Literary Journal. As an Assistant Editor, Walker will be working on a variety of projects with a primary focus on middle-grade fiction.

Jessica Ward has been hired as Administrative Assistant. Ward graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.A. in English and a Business minor. She has previously worked at Thomas Nelson in the role of Corporate Communications Intern.

Kristen Baird will take on the role of Marketing Coordinator for the Specialty Division. Baird is a recent graduate of Belmont University with her Bachelors in Business Administration. Baird has been an intern at Thomas Nelson for 18 months, serving the Specialty marketing division.

“Jennifer, Micah, Jessica and Kristen are tremendous assets to an amazing team,” says Laura Minchew, Children and Gift Books Publisher. “Our Gift books and Children’s books are in great hands!”

For more information, contact Julie Solomon at jsolomon@thomasnelson.com.

Jennifer Deshler will be moving from her current role as Thomas Nelson’s Senior Director of Marketing of the Fiction group to serve as Vice President of Marketing and Publishing Process for the Children’s and Gift Product. In this new role, Deshler will be responsible for leading marketing efforts for Children’s and Gift products, streamlining processes from idea to market and making sure promotional efforts yield great results.

“I am thrilled to welcome Jennifer to our team,” said Laura Minchew, Vice President and Publisher of Children’s and Gift Products. “Authors and colleagues alike love working with Jennifer because she brings excellence in creativity, implementation, and analysis to every project.”

Molly Kempf will be joining the team as Editorial Director.  Kempf was Senior Editor at Scholastic, Inc. where she worked with licensed and original series, acquired and developed content for the Scholastic’s Little Shepherd line, and researched new licenses and trends.

“Molly’s experience working with top licenses, movie tie-ins, and children’s fiction will be a huge asset for our team,” said Minchew. “Her cutting edge ideas will lead our initiatives into digital and cross platform development of our video and book assets.”

Mackenzie Howard has been promoted from Children’s Editor to Acquisitions Editor for Children’s books and Gift books. In this new role, Howard will develop frontlist and backlist strategy for children’s books, lead Children’s book acquisition as well as assist with gift book acquisitions.

“Mackenzie is a shining star at Nelson,” continued Minchew. “She has a great eye for projects that will appeal to customers of all ages. I know she will excel in this new role. ”

“Under the leadership of Laura Minchew our Children’s and Gift business is poised for strong growth,” said Tod Shuttleworth, Senior Vice President and Publisher of Thomas Nelson’s Specialty Group. “I believe we have the right team in place to meet new market opportunities in Children’s and Gift digital publishing.”

(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

(Nashville, Tenn.) Thomas Nelson, Inc. was awarded nine of Christian Retailing’s 2008 Retailer’s Choice Awards. The awards were announced on Monday, July 14th at the International Christian Retail Show in Orlando, Florida. Thomas Nelson received more than twice the wins of any other publishing house and walked away with almost a third of the cumulative awards.

“There are two things about Retailer’s Choice Awards that make them among the highest honors in this industry,” said Michael S. Hyatt, President and CEO of Thomas Nelson. “First, the awards are selected by Christian retailers, who work on the front lines to help 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 the entire Thomas Nelson team.”
The Thomas Nelson winners are:

• The Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible (Books/Bibles)
• Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible by Jerome Smith (Bible Reference/Bible Studies)
• The Message- NKJV Parallel Bible (Bibles – General)
• 3:16 – The Numbers of Hope by Max Lucado (Christian Living)
• Get Out of That Pit: A 40-Day Devotional Journal by Beth Moore (Personal Growth/Prayer)
• A New Kind of Normal by Carol Kent (Women’s Non-Fiction)
• Chosen by Ted Dekker (Youth/Teen)
• This Christmas Night by Billy and Ruth Graham (Gift Books)
• The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything (Vacation Bible School)

Products nominated for the 2008 Retailer’s Choice Awards must have been published or released in 2007 and include clear Christian content, message or worldview. Retailers judged the 245 nominations in 31 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 2008 Retailer’s Choice Awards, visit www.retailerschoiceawards.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