HarperCollins Hires Former EMI Insight Leader

London-based book publisher HarperCollins has appointed former EMI Music SVP of Insight David Boyle, to bring consumer insight to 'every aspect of the publishing process', from acquisition and content development to sales and marketing.

Founded nearly 200 years ago, HarperCollins also has offices in the US, Canada, India, China and Australia, and generates global revenues of more than $1 billion every year.

Boyle (pictured) joins the firm as Senior Vice President of Consumer Insight, from EMI where he designed and led the global consumer insight capability. Prior to this, he served as Director of Insight for consumer insight start-up zeebox, and spent several years working for retailers Dixons and Tesco. Earlier in his career, he worked for the Labour Party in London, and helped build a data and analytics business called Catalist, which worked on Barack Obama's 2008 campaign.

In his new role, commencing on 4 February, Boyle is tasked with providing the business with a better understanding of consumer behaviour and attitudes towards, books, authors and purchasing, while supporting and guiding product and business development.

He will report to Chief Digital Officer Chantal Restivo-Alessi, who comments: 'As digital becomes a greater part of our business, we have to better understand our consumers. Having David join us in this consumer insight role will enable us to better extend the reach of our authors from both a marketing and sales perspective.'

Web site: www.harpercollins.co.uk .