Carole Baron Joins Penguin Putnam as President of Dutton

Posted on August 23, 1999

Phyllis Grann, President of Penguin Putnam Inc., has announced that Carole Baron has joined the company as President of Dutton. Mrs. Baron, who will report directly to Mrs. Grann, joins Penguin Putnam after serving for twelve years as President and Publisher of Dell/Delacorte, a division of Random House. Her publishing list of best-selling authors includes Danielle Steel, Thomas Harris, John Grisham, Judy Blume, Nicholas Evans, Elmore Leonard, Sara Paretsky, Maeve Binchy and Belva Plain.

In conjunction with this move Susan Petersen Kennedy, who also reports to Mrs. Grann and had been President of Viking Penguin, has been promoted to Chairman of Viking Penguin, Plume and Studio Books. She will also remain publisher of Riverhead Books, an imprint she founded in 1994, and Executive Vice President of Penguin Putnam, Inc. Additionally, Clare Ferraro, formerly President of Dutton, Plume has been appointed President of Viking Penguin, Plume and Studio Books, reporting to Susan Petersen Kennedy. Mrs. Baron, Mrs. Kennedy and Ms. Ferraro will begin their new positions on September 13, 1999.

Penguin Putnam President, Phyllis Grann, said, "These changes will help us become the most competitive house in town. Carole will be a great asset to the corporation with her wealth of knowledge, creative vision and her strong relationships in the publishing and book-selling community. Being familiar with the impressive list of books she has published and edited over the years, I have great admiration for her extraordinary work ethic and keen sense for finding new author talent and developing them into best-selling authors."

Mrs. Baron is is credited with one of this summer's hottest titles, Hannibal by Thomas Harris, which topped national best-seller lists at number one. She has also been Danielle Steel's editor and publisher for almost two decades. Additionally she edited and published Nicholas Evans, author of The Horse Whisperer and The Loop, both national bestsellers in hardcover and paperback. Mrs. Baron also edited and published Judy Blume's best-selling adult novel Summer Sisters.

Commenting on her new position, Mrs. Baron stated, "While I had several prospective opportunities, Penguin Putnam, and especially Dutton, seemed to be the perfect fit because our publishing interests complement each other. I have long admired Phyllis for the incredible list of authors she and her team have put together for many years."