Morning Briefing from The Bookseller

Judith Kerr's 'Mog' at heart of Sainsbury's Christmas ad Sainsbury’s has released its flagship Christmas television advert featuring children’s author Judith Kerr’s Mog character at its heart, in a bid to raise funds for Save the Children’s literacy campaign.

Hip-hop artist Akala to give FutureBook keynote BAFTA and MOBO award-winning hip-hop artist, writer/poet and historian Akala is to give a keynote address at the FutureBook Conference.

Closure of Faber Factory Plus 'blow' for publishers Faber is closing its Faber Factory Plus sales service for small independent publishers, taking the decision with “a heavy heart” after “ a difficult year last year.”

Waterstones reveals 'richly diverse' Book of the Year shortlist The shortlist for the Waterstones Book of the Year 2015 has been revealed, featuring a list that would  "not have been produced by an algorithm,” the chain's m.d. James Daunt has said.

Inaugural IPG report finds resilience and optimism The UK independent publishing industry is strong and flourishing, according to the Independent Publishers Guild’s first Independent Publishing Report.

Maramenides to head up S&S Children's Alexandra Maramenides is leaving the Bonnier Group to join Simon & Schuster UK as managing director of its Children’s Publishing Division.

CILIP warns Cameron on cuts ahead of Autumn Statement The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) has written an open letter to the Prime Minister David Cameron urging the government to re-consider budget cuts to library services.

Derkacz joins HarperCollins as sales director Anna Derkacz is joining HarperCollins as sales director for fiction, non-fiction and Avon in the New Year to cover the maternity leave of Laura Fletcher.

Kinney hits number one in multiple territories Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School has reached number one in eight territories with more than 1m copies sold around the world, publisher Penguin Random House has said.

Little, Brown bolsters marketing department Little, Brown Book Group's marketing department has made two new appointments and two promotions.

Virago to publish a 'swimming memoir' by Jessica Lee Virago is publishing a '"nature memoir'" by Jessica Lee, a woman who swam in 52 lakes in and around Berlin in a quest to better understand herself.

Pavilion to open a bookshop in London Pavilion is set to open a new shop called Books Pavilion in London’s Covent Garden.