The press release follows:
Media Release -- Diamond Book Distributors (DBD), a division of Diamond Comic Distributors, the largest distributor of English-language comic books, graphic novels, and related pop-culture merchandise worldwide, today announces that Rich Johnson has joined DBD as Vice President, Sales and Business Development.
Johnson has decades of experience in the publishing industry and has been involved in multiple aspects of bookselling ranging from store manager, to buyer, to publisher. Most recently, Johnson served as President and Founder of Brick Road Media, a publishing consultancy firm. Previously, Johnson served as Vice President, Sales, Marketing & Business Development for Lion Forge Comics, Co-Founder and Co-Publishing Director for Yen Press / Hachette Book Group and Vice President of Book Trade Sales for DC Comics. He has taught at Drexel University and is currently an Adjunct Professor at Pace University in their Masters Publishing Program.
In his role with Diamond Book Distributors, Johnson will partner with sales and marketing to manage business development efforts including evaluating new business opportunities and working to expand the distribution network for DBD publishers.
"As a constant advocate and catalyst for graphic novels in the book trade, few have done more than Rich Johnson to introduce the comic arts to American readers of every age," said Tony Lukus President of Diamond Book Distributors, "I'm delighted to welcome Rich to the Diamond Book team where he'll work with our publishers to drive sales and help find new ways to bring their innovative books to an evolving marketplace."
Rich Johnson said, "I have worked with Diamond in various capacities over the years and I am looking forward to joining this amazing group of book and comic professionals in a more official capacity. I feel like I'm joining long-standing friends on a new adventure."
Diamond Book Distributors is dedicated to making a wide selection of graphic novels, manga, gaming, genre fiction and pop-culture merchandise available to bookstores, libraries, schools, mass merchants and more. DBD helps publishers tell their stories, grow their businesses and reach new customers by providing support and insight at every stage of the publishing process.
ABOUT DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS (DCD)—Diamond is at the nexus of comics and pop culture. Based in Hunt Valley, MD, DCD is the world's largest distributor of English-language comic books, graphic novels, and related pop-culture merchandise, serving thousands of retailers worldwide. For more information, visit Diamond online at diamondcomics.com.
ABOUT DIAMOND BOOK DISTRIBUTORS (DBD) — Diamond Book Distributors is a division of Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc., and is dedicated to making a wide selection of its graphic novels and other pop-culture merchandise available to bookstores, libraries, schools, mass merchants and more, worldwide. Based in Hunt Valley, MD, our team of professionals is committed to helping DBD's client publishers tell their stories, grow their businesses, and reach new customers. We work to provide insight at every stage of the publishing process—from initial concept, to marketing, sales and distribution.
DBD is the home to several world class publishers, including Image Comics, publisher of The Walking Dead, Saga, Monstress, and Spawn; Dynamite Entertainment, publisher of James Bond, Red Sonja, and Vampirella; Valiant Entertainment, publisher of Bloodshot, Ninjak, and X-O Manowar; as well as Gemstone Publishing, Paizo Publishing, and others. diamondbookdistributors.com
