Brona Looby has been appointed Sales and Marketing Manager for Ireland at DK
Brona Looby will join DK as Sales and Marketing Manager, Ireland, reporting to UK & Group Sales Director Jacqueline Sells, as Philomena Twomey retires from the role at the end of this month.
Twomey retires after over 30 years in the book industry. She has worked exclusively with DK for the past five years, where she has played a key role in driving revenue and volume with key retailers, and helping to grow DK’s presence in that market.
Beginning her career as a Graduate Trainee at Eason, Twomey joined Penguin Books in 1988 as a Paperback Rep. From there, she rose to become a Sales Manager for Penguin Random House and DK.
Twomey said she had been very privileged to have had a wonderful career in publishing.
“I have loved selling the beautiful books that we publish especially in DK, working with great sales directors Jacqueline Sells (DK) and Naomi Fidler (PRH) and the wonderful Irish booksellers. I will miss my colleagues and bookseller friends but it is time for me to move on. I’m delighted that Brona Looby is joining the company as she comes with a wealth of experience of books and bookselling in Ireland.”
Looby arrives from Eason, where she was Book Promotions Manager and played a pivotal role in the books category promotions programme for Eason’s 52 company and franchise stores across Ireland, which involved closely working with publishers and vast knowledge of the Irish book market.
Looby said that after over 19 years working at the forefront of Irish bookselling, she was delighted to join DK, building on the incredible work of Phil Twomey.
“It’s an exciting time to join the company, and I look forward to helping them develop their accounts, including Rebel Girls and Sourcebooks, both lists with huge potential in the Irish market.”
Sells said that Philomena has been an integral part of DK, and that her dedication has ensured the company’s continued strong presence in the Irish market.
“I would like to thank Phil for everything she has done for DK, her legacy will continue and we wish her every happiness in her retirement. We are delighted Brona will be joining our team. Brona’s bookselling and publishing experience made her the perfect candidate for this role and we look forward to welcoming her to the DK family.”
Looby will join DK on 15 May 2023.
