Nelson Newsroom

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.

(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.”

Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me to be Promoted

(Nashville, Tenn.) – Thomas Nelson, Inc. is pleased to announce that Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me: A Memoir…Of Sorts by Ian Morgan Cron has been selected as a featured title in the Barnes & Noble (B&N) Discover Great New Writers program.

Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me will be part of the program for the months of August, September, and October 2011 at B&N stores nationwide and online at BarnesandNoble.com.

Former authors to be selected as part of the B&N Discover Great New Writers include Cormac McCarthy, Elizabeth Gilbert, Frank McCourt, Barbara Kingsolver, Yann Martel, Alice Sebold, Michael Pollan, Patricia Cornwell, Kathryn Stockett, and Khaled Hosseini.

“One of the biggest compliments that a retailer can pay to an author or publisher is to acknowledge the inherent value of a beautifully written book,” says Matt Baugher, Vice President and Publisher at Thomas Nelson. “It’s not just a matter of promotion and not just about what might sell but rather, the recognition that a book should be highlighted simply because it is special. This is what the Discover Great New Writers program has always been about and to be included in this is a great honor. Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me: A Memoir…Of Sorts is an engaging memoir in every respect, and I look forward to many more people discovering Ian Morgan Cron in the days ahead.”

“I have been submitting books for consideration to the Discover Great New Writers panel for close to 25 years, and I have never been as excited about a title as I am about Jesus, My Father, The CIA, and Me: A Memoir…Of Sorts,” says Julie Jayne, Key Accounts Manager at Thomas Nelson. “I am so pleased that the panel agreed with my assessment of this wonderful book and chose it for the program. Barnes & Noble customers will be well-rewarded when they make the time to read this literary treasure.”

As part of the Discover Great New Writers program, Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me: A Memoir…Of Sorts will receive the following B&N promotions:

• Face-out display in each B&N bookstore
• An individual shelf-talker with a teaser line placed under each face-out
• A 20% discount for the entire promotional season
• An individual review for each title in the seasonal Discover Great New Writers brochure, available free to customers
• Promotion on bn.com for the Discover Award finalists and Discover Seasonal selections
• Special consideration for Discover-selected writers for in-store events and book group discussions

Author Ian Morgan Cron is represented by Lee Hough of Alive Communications. His speaking management is coordinated by Jim Chaffee of Chaffee Management Group.

About Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me: A Memoir…Of Sorts

At the age of sixteen, Ian Morgan Cron was told by his mother that his father, a former motion picture executive, worked with the CIA in Europe. This astonishing revelation, coupled with his father’s dark struggle with alcoholism, upends the world of a teenager struggling to become a man.

In this surprisingly funny and forgiving memoir Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me: A Memoir … of Sorts (Thomas Nelson, 978-0-8499-4610-3, $15.99, June 2011), Ian describes a childhood filled with remarkable stories and colorful characters that includes a nearly blind English nanny who teaches him what love means, a simple carpenter who leads him to faith, an irreverent New York radio personality who saves his life, a father who takes his family on a wild ride from the pinnacle of glamour and wealth to the depths of emotional and financial hardship, a beautiful and courageous mother who holds them together, and the hard won peace that comes when we surrender to the “unfinished business of grace.”

IAN MORGAN CRON IS AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS.
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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.

Nashville, TN—Thomas Nelson Fiction is pleased to announce the signing of new author Shannon Dittemore to its growing roster of gifted storytellers.  Dittemore’s debut young adult series—a supernatural, romantic trilogy—will launch with first installment Angel Eyes in summer 2012.

“Thomas Nelson is passionate about expanding our footprint in Young Adult Fiction – with stories that offer teens a mix of suspense, romance, and hope while addressing the spiritual dimensions of life. Shannon is a fresh new voice who we’re honored to partner with in this potent supernatural series of beauty, betrayal and faith that teens will love – and be transformed by.” said Allen Arnold, Senior VP and Publisher, Thomas Nelson Fiction.

“I’m a firm believer that books open doors into the imagination and remind us that we should venture there often. I hope my stories remind readers that life is to be lived. And while you may fall into dark places along the way, light is as close as the prayer on your lips,” said Shannon. An experienced actress, youth minister, and mother, Shannon attended Portland Bible College. She and her family live in Northern California.

For more information about Shannon, visit www.shannondittemore.com.

(Nashville, TN) Thomas Nelson’s Design MultiMedia group won a silver ADDY® award at the 2010-2011 National ADDY® Awards for advertising excellence at the Hilton Bayfront Hotel in San Diego, California, on June 4. The award ceremony was a part of ADMERICA!, the federation’s national advertising conference.

The ADDY® Awards Competition is a three-tiered national competition conducted annual by the American Adverting Federation. The ADDY® Awards Competition is the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition for creative excellence.