In a brief year end note to Penguin Random House employees worldwide, CEO Markus Dohle thanked everyone for putting merger distractions aside since the deal was finalized July 1 to “to publish our books with the same high level of creativity and excellence that has always been the hallmark of both Penguin and Random House.” The literary and commercial success of the past six months, Dohle said, “has been exceptional.”

“We haven’t changed what we did separately – we are now just doing it better together. I’m grateful to be part of this extraordinary team, and I sincerely appreciate how hard you’ve worked to deepen your collaboration across the many departments, imprints and territories that make up our new company,” Dohle continued. “ So, let’s carry this momentum into the New Year and welcome 2014 with the same energy and passion that fueled our start.”