HarperCollins Publishers president of sales Ed Spade will depart on August 15 after four years with the company, CEO Brian Murray announced today.
Spade joined HarperCollins in 2021 as SVP of online sales through the publisher's acquisition of HMH Books and Media. He was promoted to president of sales in 2023, a role in which he oversaw significant restructuring of the company's sales operations.
Under Spade's leadership, HarperCollins underwent extensive organizational changes aimed at streamlining sales operations and centralizing key activities. In May 2024, Spade announced a series of departmental restructuring moves that included voluntary buyouts for salespeople and personnel changes following the departure of Mary Beth Thomas, VP and director of independent retail sales.
The restructuring efforts coincided with HarperCollins's financial recovery in fiscal 2024. After experiencing a 10% sales drop and 45% profit decline in fiscal 2023, the publisher rebounded with 6% sales growth to $2.09 billion and a 61% jump in EBITDA to $269 million in fiscal 2024.
"We did a really deep dive on what needed to be done and it is gratifying to see the payoff in these financial results," Murray said in discussing the restructuring efforts at the time. Murray explained that the organizational changes were necessary to adjust to post-pandemic marketplace conditions and develop an organization that could "meet customers where they buy books now."
During Spade's tenure, HarperCollins strengthened its digital sales performance, with audiobooks increasing 18% annually and 28% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024. Digital sales represented 23% of consumer revenues, up from 22% the previous year.
"His strategic vision and warm leadership helped reshape our approach to sales, strengthened key account partnerships, and built data-led collaboration across teams," wrote Murray in announcing Spade's departure. "Ed has deepened our expertise in the online marketplace, opened new channels in Special Markets, and realized efficiencies in our processes."
The news of the departure comes a few weeks before the release of the results for HarperCollins' fiscal year 2025, which closed June 30.
Doug Lockhart, SVP of sales and marketing for HarperCollins Christian Publishing, will oversee the sales department on an interim basis while the company searches for Spade's successor.
