Higgins appointed Dymocks head of merchandise and marketing

Dymocks national buying and digital manager Sophie Higgins has been appointed to the newly created role of head of merchandise and marketing.

The change comes after marketing and loyalty program manager Elain Richards left the company in August. In a statement Dymocks managing director Steve Cox said Richards had been an ‘integral part of the Dymocks business’ for nine years, and had made a ‘long lasting and valuable contribution to the Booklover Loyalty program’.

Higgins and assistant loyalty program manager Paige Butchers took over duties prior to the announcement of the restructure, with Butchers now promoted to loyalty and marketing manager, overseeing all marketing activity and the Booklover program.

Also joining the marketing team are Melissa Messina as marketing coordinator and Alex Audet as graphic designer. As a result of Higgins’ move, Ali Hammond has been promoted to travel and fiction category manager, joining Sharyn Villaverde as nonfiction and nonbook manager, and Ruth Ellis as children’s and fantasy manager.