NEW YORK, 25-June-01 -- Patricia Johnson has been appointed Executive Vice President, Publishing, Alfred A. Knopf, effective immediately. She was previously Vice President and Associate Publisher. The announcement was made today by Sonny Mehta, President of the Knopf Publishing Group.

"Pat has directed the publishing effort at Knopf with singular excellence during the past five years," said Mr. Mehta. "She is a trusted advisor and colleague, someone who knows the business inside and out and cares deeply about our books. Her energy and publishing savvy have served as a catalyst for our titles in the marketplace, including the recent bestsellers Death in Holy Orders by P.D. James; Back When We Were Grownups by Anne Tyler; Empire Falls by Richard Russo; French Lessons by Peter Mayle; and The National Audubon Society Sibley Guide to Birds by David Allen Sibley. Of the many people I have worked closely with throughout my career, no one can match Pat in her ability to make seamless the diverse and often complicated elements that go into the publication of a book. She is the consummate professional, admired and esteemed by everyone within the Knopf Group."

In her new role, Ms. Johnson will work closely with Knopf Publishing Group Chief Operating Officer Tony Chirico, to whom she will continue to report.

Pat Johnson began her publishing career in 1986 as Manager, National Accounts, Bantam Books. In 1988, she was promoted to Director, National Accounts, Doubleday and in 1989 Director, National Accounts, Bantam. In 1992, she was named Vice President and Publisher, Random House Audio, and in 1993 was given the additional title of Publisher, Random House Large Print. In 1996, Pat was named Vice President and Associate Publisher, Alfred A. Knopf.

Alfred A. Knopf is the flagship imprint of the Knopf Publishing Group, which is a division of Random House, Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG, the international media company.

CONTACT: Paul Bogaards, Senior Vice-President, Executive Director of Publicity, Promotion and Media Relations (212) 572-2177

6/25/2001
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