Barnes & Noble Inc. (New York) has named William Lynch ceo to succeed Steve Riggio, who will remain vice chairman and still be involved in the company. The bookseller also announced the promotion of chief operating officer Mitchell Klipper to ceo of the company’s retail group, which includes the Barnes & Noble retail business and the Barnes & Noble College Booksellers business.
Lynch joined Barnes & Noble in 2009 as president of Barnes & Noble.com, driving the company’s core e-commerce business and launching its digital commerce platform, including nook, its eBook Reader.
“William came to us as a skillful leader in e-commerce who, in a short period of time, has done a superb job in quickly establishing Barnes & Noble as a major player in e-commerce and digital content,” says Leonard Riggio, chairman of Barnes & Noble Inc. “Given the dynamic nature of the book industry, William is uniquely qualified to lead the company’s transition to multi-channel distribution and drive the continuing expansion of our e-commerce platform, eBooks and other digital content and products.”
Prior to Barnes & Noble, Lynch worked for HSNi, as executive vp, marketing and general manager of HSN.com. From 2004 to 2008, he served as ceo of gifts.com, an IAC subsidiary he co-founded. He’s also worked as vp and general manager, e-commerce, for Palm Inc., and held senior positions at Seagram Universal and Guinness.
Klipper, a 23-year veteran of the company, has held increasingly senior executive positions including chief financial officer, president of Barnes & Noble’s Development Group and chief operating officer.
Barnes & Noble Inc. operates 723 bookstores in 50 states, as well as 639 Barnes & Noble College Booksellers locations, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Barnes & Noble.