Shank Named VP/Group Publisher

Ron Shank has been named vice president, group publisher of Reed Business’s Publishing Group, which includes School Library Journal, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Críticas. Shank, a 25-year publishing veteran, has spent 19 years with SLJ and LJ, most recently as publisher.

Prior to taking over Publishers Weekly, Shank was associate publisher and ad sales director for SLJ, LJ, and Críticas. During that time, he helped launch Curriculum Connections, Library by Design, and Movers & Shakers supplements, as well as the SLJ Leadership Summit.

Shank also had a leading role in the rapid expansion of the library franchise’s online business, says Tad Smith, CEO of parent company Reed Business Information.

“Publishers Weekly is nearly as renowned and well read in libraries as Library Journal and School Library Journal,” Shank says. “I’m excited to begin work with the PW staff and address the challenges ahead in this complicated print-to-online transitional era. The three publications form a natural grouping for our market partners and share a great deal of news in common.”

Shank is a graduate of Southern Illinois University, where he majored in journalism and marketing.