Michael Cairns joins Publishing Technology Executive Team

Former Bowker President to take over as Head of Online Business Unit-

Publishing Technology plc, a leading provider of content solutions for publishers, has appointed Michael Cairns as COO, Online Solutions Division and member of the executive team.

Replacing Louise Russell, Michael will assume commercial responsibility for the Online business unit, including product development, implementation and client management for Publishing Technology’s flagship pub2web hosting platform, the ingentaconnect portal and associated product lines including Information Commerce Software and the Heron elearning resource.

Michael has spent 20 years in digital publishing, having consulted with and managed organizations deep in the transition from traditional print-based media to online delivery.  His operations management experience includes C-Level positions with professional information, trade and educational publishers.  He has also helped define and launch several start-up content-related businesses and has held numerous advisory and board roles within the industry.

George Lossius, CEO at Publishing Technology, commented: “We are excited to welcome Michael to the team in this vital position heading our Online Division. He has a long history of senior roles in a variety of diverse areas in publishing, including a great deal of experience in digital publishing in the academic sector.  Based in the US, he is well-positioned to increase our presence and support our customers in that important market, while our infrastructure in the UK retains the necessary resources for excellent support of our customers in Europe.”

Prior to joining Publishing Technology, Michael was a Managing Partner at Information Media Partners where he consulted for publishers on business strategies and digital transformation, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at MyWire.com, VP, Digital Production at Wolters Kluwer Heath Education, and for seven years served as President of R.R. Bowker.  Prior to Bowker, he was a media consultant with Price Waterhouse Coopers.  Michael has served as a board member of the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and the Book Industry Study Group (BISG), and Chairman of the International ISBN Executive Committee.