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Mike Bryan appointed president of Penguin Canada

[THIS POST HAS BEEN UPDATED]

Mike Bryan has been appointed the new president of Penguin Canada, following the ouster of former president David Davidar last month.

Bryan is a Penguin veteran of nearly 30 years. Like Davidar, he joins Penguin Canada after a stint as CEO and president of Penguin India, a title Bryan has held since 2007.

Unlike his predecessor, however, Bryan joins Penguin Canada without significant editorial experience. Prior to joining Penguin India he worked as the international sales and marketing director for Penguin U.K.

Davidar was asked to leave the company on June 8 following a lawsuit brought against him and Penguin by former rights and contracts director Lisa Rundle, who alleged that she was sexually harassed by Davidar and fired after voicing her concerns. The $523,000 suit was settled out of court on Tuesday. It was also revealed on Wednesday that Rundle will rejoin the company in the near future.

A relative unknown in Canadian publishing, Bryan’s appointment may disappoint some in the industry who were hoping that a Canadian would take over the top job. However, Penguin says it has created a new Penguin Canada Board that will be overseen by a Canadian. From the Penguin press release:

In the coming weeks Penguin Canada expects to appoint a Canadian with senior experience in the media and publishing industries to the position of Chairman of a newly formed Penguin Canada Board, which will have responsibility for the company’s overall strategy. The Penguin Canada board will include John Makinson, Allan Reynolds (CEO of Pearson Canada) and David Shanks. The new Chairman will work closely with Mike Bryan and the Penguin Canada executive team, and with David Shanks.

Keep watching Q&Q for more details.