(Nashville, Tenn.) Thomas Nelson, Inc. announced today that they will be opening Thomas Nelson Mexico, a wholly owned business entity based in Mexico City, on August 1, 2011, making them the first major Christian publisher to market, distribute and sell locally.

Thomas Nelson Mexico will employ a local, proactive sales team focused on selling to distributors, bookstores and ministries and supporting them with marketing and other services. Grupo Nelson Vice President and Publisher Larry Downs will oversee the company. Roberto Rivas will serve as General Director in the Mexico City office and will lead a team of marketing and sales associates.

“With the creation of Thomas Nelson Mexico, Roberto and his team are positioned and ready to better support distributors, local retailers and the flourishing Christian community, ” said Mark Schoenwald, President and CEO of Thomas Nelson. “And Thomas Nelson can capitalize on a market that is ripe for growth.”

Best-selling author and Texas pastor Max Lucado visited Ethiopia May 5-11, 2009 with international humanitarian agency World Vision. Joined by his wife Denalyn, his daughter Jenna and her husband Brett Bishop, World Vision President Richard Stearns, Thomas Nelson CEO Michael Hyatt and Women of Faith president, Mary Graham, Lucado experienced first-hand the immense need for aid in this remote area of Africa. As a long time sponsor of World Vision children, Lucado was deeply moved by the joy of the Ethiopian people in the face of such hardship and by the difference World Vision is making in that country.

Before he even left the United States, Lucado made it his goal to help World Vision sponsor 25,000 more children. Interested sponsors can go to the website link: http://maxlucado.com/ethiopia/. READ MORE »

(Nashville, Tenn.) Thomas Nelson, Inc. announced today that Daisy Hutton will lead Thomas Nelson’s global licensing team as the Vice President of International Licensing beginning on September 1st. Hutton, who has worked at Harvard Business Press for the last 5 years, has more than 10 years of licensing and international rights experience. She will be responsible for building and executing Nelson’s international licensing strategy.

“Our international licensing team has averaged 21% growth each of the last four years,” said Tod Shuttleworth, Senior Vice President and Group Publisher of Nelson’s Specialty and Global Publishing Division. “And we are seeing dynamic growth throughout our international divisions. Daisy’s extensive international experience will be an important addition to our team as we plan on the continued growth of Thomas Nelson’s global publishing.” READ MORE »