Direct Brands appoints Fine president and CEO

Direct Brands, a direct marketer of books, DVDs and recorded music, has named Deborah Fine president and CEO. Direct Brands and sister company Bookspan, owned by Najafi Companies, include the Book-of-the-Month Club, Columbia House, Doubleday Book Club and The Literary Guild.

Previously, Fine was president of NBC Universal's iVillage Properties, a group of online communities including iVillage.com and YourTotalHealth.com with 27 million members.

“We are firm believers in Direct Brands, not only because of its customers but also the direct mail channel and the content,” said Jahm Najafi, CEO of Najafi Companies. “We intend to remain and expand in the mail channel. Certainly in today's world, online is an important part of any marketing, and that is somewhere we're looking to expand.”

He added that Fine will “spend her first 100 days analyzing the business and getting to know our partners and exploring new potential relationships.”

Fine's previous work includes stints as CEO of Victoria's Secret PINK; president of Avon Future and publisher of Condé Nast publications Brides and Glamour.