Virden to Leave Random House

Craig Virden, president and publisher of Random House Children's Books, has stepped down after four years. Virden, who acquired Golden Books for Random House in 2001, says he misses working directly with authors and wants to return to the creative part of children's publishing. Chip Gibson, president of the Crown Publishing Group, another Random House division, will replace him. Jenny Frost, who will retain her position as president and publisher of the Random House Audio and Diversified Group, will succeed Gibson at Crown.