Wilhelm No Longer With Bookspan: Stays DMA Chairman

Markus Wilhelm, most recently CEO of Bookspan, is no longer with the company, a source within Bertelsmann confirmed.

On Tuesday, Bertelsmann acquired the 50% share of Bookspan it did not already own from Time Inc. Bookspan operates 40 book clubs within the U.S. including Doubleday Book Club, Literary Guild, Book-of-the-Month Club, and a variety of lifestyle and special interest clubs.

While Wilhelm has left Bookspan, he will stay in his role as chairman of the Direct Marketing Association’s board of directors, the DMA said.

“The board of directors elects people, not companies, and Wilhelm will continue to lead DMA on the major issues facing the direct marketing community,” DMA spokesperson Laura Colona said in an interview.

Colona added, “This is not the first instance in which a DMA chairman has changed employment status and completed a board term. DMA bylaws are clear on the matter of a chairman’s change of job status — whether from a member to a nonmember company, retirement, or otherwise.

“When the chair is elected into office, that term is for one year and continues until the next annual meeting. The next DMA annual meeting will take place during DMA 07 in Chicago. After his term as chair ends in October, Wilhelm will then serve as the immediate past chair and for the four years following, will serve as a past chair.

“Wilhelm’s tremendous direct-to-consumer expertise will continue to serve DMA as we move forward.”