HarperCollins Shutters Collins

This morning HarperCollins announced that they will shutter the Collins division. In the shake-up, Collins publisher Steve Ross and William Morrow publisher Lisa Gallagher have departed from the company.

According to Publishers Marketplace, Jonathan Burnham‘s Harper imprint will take the Collins general nonfiction, Collins Reference, and Collins Business titles. In addition, Collins trade paperbacks will be distributed among Harper Perennial and Harper paperbacks. Finally, Liate Stehlik will now serve as publisher for the combined William Morrow/Eos/Avon imprint.

Here’s more from Harper CEO Brian Murray‘s memo (now at NY Observer): “I have asked each division to evaluate their business and begin the process to meet this goal. Unfortunately, in some HarperCollins divisions, implementing these plans will result in a reduction in workforce. These are difficult decisions that were not made lightly.”

Create a social media strategy, launch your campaign, and track the results in our Social Media Marketing Boot Camp starting February 16. The online event and workshop will feature speakers including The Onion‘s Baratunde Thurston (left), Facebook’s Morin Oluwole, and bitly’s Tim Devane. Register now.