Left - David Davidar, formerly of Penguin Canada, photographed in Penguin's Toronto offices in 2003. The Globe and MailStory by John Barber
Globe and Mail - Wednesday, Jul. 07, 2010
The dust storm of racy allegations that blinded the Canadian publishing world last month died quietly Tuesday afternoon, when all three parties to a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment at Penguin Canada settled their disputes and pledged silence.
“We can now advise that all allegations have been addressed and all matters resolved to the satisfaction of all parties,” Peter Downard, lawyer to former Penguin executive David Davidar, wrote in an e-mail. “None of the parties will be commenting further to the media.”
Penguin spokesman Yvonne Hunter confirmed the news. “Everything has been settled,” she said, adding that the company expects to follow the news by announcing the name of Penguin Canada’s new president Wednesday morning.
Full story at Globe & Mail.
And the story from PubishersLunch
Penguin has appointed president of Penguin India Mike Bryan as the new president of Penguin Canada, starting in August. A thirty-year veteran of the company, Bryan was Penguin's international sales and marketing director before taking over the Indian unit in 2007, started Penguin Singapore and Malaysia, and "was fundamental to the development of Penguin's international operations, setting up companies in the Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy and Spain." As previously announced, he will report to Penguin USA ceo David Shanks.
To appease local concerns over any diminishment of Penguin Canada's role, the company is forming a Penguin Canada Board "which will have responsibility for the company's overall strategy." They promise to appoint an actual Canadian, "with senior experience in the media and publishing industries," as chairman of the new board. It will include Penguin ceo John Makinson, Pearson Canada ceo Allan Reynolds, and Shanks as members.
Yesterday former Penguin Canada president David Davidar's lawyer Peter Downard indicated in a brief statement that Lisa Rundle's lawsuit alleging unlawful dismissal and sexual harrassment has been settled. He said in an e-mail, "we can now advise that all allegations have been addressed and all matters resolved to the satisfaction of all parties."
Penguin Canada said in a brief statement "a settlement has been reached with regard to all outstanding claims by Lisa Rundle against both the company and David Davidar. All three parties have agreed to make no further comment on the matter." Spokesperson Yvonne Hunter indicates that Rundle will return to work at the company "in a few weeks' time" as rights and contracts director. The company says "she is happy to resume her responsibilities and Penguin is pleased to welcome her back."
No comments:
Post a Comment