Lori Benton Named VP & Publisher, Scholastic Trade Publishing

NEW YORK, Nov. 11, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education and media company, announced today that Lori Benton has been named Vice President & Publisher, for the Scholastic Trade Publishing division. In her new role, Benton will oversee direction of the publishing program for all imprints of the division. She will assume her new responsibilities January 3, 2011, and report to Ellie Berger, President of Scholastic Trade Publishing.

Benton was most recently the General Manager and Publisher of the fiction division of Capstone Publishers, in Bloomington, Minnesota, and is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors for Every Child a Reader, the non-profit foundation of The Children's Book Council dedicated to promoting the enjoyment and importance of reading among America's youth. Prior to her position at Capstone, Benton was Vice President, Publisher of the Children's Books Division at Harcourt; Associate Publisher, Director of Marketing for Henry Holt Books for Young Readers; and Associate Marketing Director for the children's book division at William Morrow & Company. Benton also spent thirteen years as the children's book buyer at The Book Shop in Boise, Idaho.

"Lori Benton is one of the most experienced, and well-respected, executives in the children's publishing industry," said Ellie Berger. "I am thrilled to welcome Lori to Scholastic, where her expertise and enthusiasm will be a perfect addition to our exceptional team."

"As someone who has devoted her career to the publishing and promotion of children's books, I can hardly begin to express my excitement about joining Scholastic," said Lori Benton. "Scholastic is a company I have long-admired, and I look forward to having the opportunity to work with Ellie Berger and her impressive team."

Lori Benton studied at the University of Arizona and Boise State University, and has completed executive education programs at Stanford University Graduate Business School and University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business. Benton also was Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Children's Book Council from September 2003 to September 2005 and has recently served on the board of directors of the Association of Booksellers for Children. 

Scholastic Corporation (Nasdaq: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology and related services and children's media. Scholastic creates quality books, print and technology-based learning materials and programs, magazines, multi-media and other products that help children learn both at school and at home. The Company distributes its products and services worldwide through a variety of channels, including school-based book clubs and book fairs, retail stores, schools, libraries, on-air, and online at www.scholastic.com.

SOURCE Scholastic Corporation