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CEO Appointment · Digital Strategy · KKR · Publishing
Simon & Schuster, a major publisher celebrating its centennial in 2024, has appointed Greg Greeley as its new CEO, effective immediately.
This marks a significant departure from the company's long-standing tradition of promoting leadership from within, as Greeley is the first external CEO in memory. He succeeds Jonathan Karp, who is stepping down to launch his own imprint.
Greeley brings a robust business and investment background, having spent nearly two decades at Amazon, including as Vice President of Amazon Prime, and later serving as President of Airbnb's Homes division, COO of Opentrons, and CEO of Thrasio. This strategic hire, under the ownership of private equity firm KKR since 2023, signals a potential shift towards leveraging digital market expertise and operational efficiency.
Richard Sarnoff, chair of the board, highlighted Greeley's experience across "physical and digital markets" as crucial for navigating an industry grappling with rapid changes, including the role of AI. The appointment follows a period of upheaval for Simon & Schuster, including a blocked sale to Penguin Random House and its acquisition by KKR.
