New York,
NY (July
19,
2004) --
Scholastic announced today that Linda B. Keene, a seasoned marketing executive and a member of its Board of Directors will leave the board to join the company as EVP, Marketing. She will succeed Dick Spaulding, who has been with the company for 44 years. Mr. Spaulding continues as a member on Scholastic's Board of Directors and as a consultant to the company on several longer-term projects.
In making the announcement, Dick Robinson, Scholastic Chairman, CEO and President said, “During the past few months, Linda has consulted with Scholastic division heads and marketing executives to identify the marketing needs of our changing and growing company. Her broad marketing experience and in-depth knowledge of the company make her an excellent choice to head up this expanded strategic marketing division.”
The Strategic Marketing Division will lead corporate efforts on branding, customer and marketplace focus, marketing communications and fostering greater collaboration across Scholastic business units. In addition, Ms. Keene will take on responsibility for training and professional development of marketing staff and for working with divisions on marketing plans.
Recently Ms. Keene has been an independent consultant on marketing and organizational issues. From 1994 to 2001, she was Vice President of Market Development for American Express Financial Advisors, where she was responsible for marketing and business research, competitive analysis, advertising, brand development, consumer communications and seminar event marketing. From 1987 to 1994, she was with The Pillsbury Company, serving as Vice President of Marketing Services from 1992 to 1994. Her professional associations include memberships in the Executive Leadership Council and the National Black MBA Association. She recently completed her term as a director of The Huffy Corporation (Dayton, OH), having served in that capacity since 1993.
Linda has been recognized by
Essence,
Ebony and
Black Enterprise magazines as one of America's top corporate African-American women. She has also been profiled for her business accomplishments in the book, “
Cracking the Corporate Code: Real Stories of African-American Success” (2000), as well as
Working Woman and
Sales & Marketing Management magazines. Linda holds an MBA from Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration and a BA from Boston University School of Management, from which she received the Distinguished Alumni Award in May 1999. Linda also received her professional coaching certification from The Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara in May 2002. She is an active community volunteer, and the author of “
Surviving Senior Year: A Parent's Guide to Successfully Navigating Your Child's Last Year of High School” (2000).
Scholastic Corporation, the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books, creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, textbooks, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries, and television networks; and the Company's Internet Site,
www.scholastic.com.