Waterstones to broaden events profile

31.07.14 | Lisa Campbell - The Bookseller

Waterstones’ appointment of Pan Macmillan’s Sandra Taylor (pictured) as head of events and external relations marks a renewed drive for the retailer to broaden its events profile.

Taylor, a former Bookseller Rising Star who has worked on publicity campaigns for titles such as Burial Rites by Hannah Kent and The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton among others, will begin at the chain in October and plans a succession of events which help customers engage with authors and publishing “that they haven't had the opportunity to do before.”

On Taylor’s hiring, Rik McShane, Waterstones retailer director, said: “Sandra's appointment definitely marks a renewed drive to broaden our events profile. We have a fantastic team in Piccadilly and a host of eager and passionate booksellers out in the shops who already deliver a varied and successful programme of events across the country, but we know we can always do more. Sandra will be bringing her considerable expertise to bear on the wider estate, looking at different ways in which we can help our customers engage with authors and publishing that they haven't had the opportunity to do before.”
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