Simon & Schuster Announces New Board Post-Acquisition

Simon & Schuster has announced its new board of directors following the company’s acquisition by private equity firm KKR.  Richard Sarnoff, chairman of media, entertainment, and education for the Americas at KKR, will serve as chairman, joining S&S president and CEO Jonathan Karp on the board along with former Penguin Random House US CEO Madeline McIntosh. (McIntosh served as an advisor to KKR in the time leading up to its purchase of S&S.)

Other new board members include two other prominent figures at KKR—partner Ted Oberwager, who leads the gaming, entertainment, media, and sports verticals at KKR in the Americas, and director Chresten Knaff— along with former TikTok COO V Pappas and former Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution chairman Kareem Daniel.

Karp said: “The formation of this board marks an exciting new chapter in Simon & Schuster’s story.  We are thrilled to have such a dynamic and highly qualified team guiding us forward. Their collective experience in digital innovation, global business strategy, and deep understanding of the publishing ecosystem will be instrumental in our growth and success as an independent publisher.”