Publishing consultant Bob Erdmann's distinguished career spans four decades and includes all phases of book publishing. More than half of his long tenure in the publishing industry has been as consultant to literally hundreds of publishers of every size and shape. His clients have ranged from small, one-book, self-published authors to very large Fortune 500 companies. The earlier part of his long life in publishing saw him in senior management, executive capacities with well-respected, high-profile publishing companies such as Macmillan Publishing, Peteresen Publishing, Pfeiffer & Company, and World Publications where his creative innovations in all phases of publishing-marketing, distribution, foreign rights, packaging, sales and more brought about countless successes.
In 1978 Bob decided to share his successful publishing experience by opening his publishing consultancy-Columbine Communications & Publications. For the next thirty-two years his clients, whether large or small, have been provided with Bob's unique personal one-on-one attention, which in today's very impersonal world is greatly appreciated (and admired) by all. As a two-term president of the prestigious Independent Book Publishers Association-IBPA (Formerly PMA-Publishers Marketing Association), Bob played major roles in many of the successful programs that its members enjoy today. He created the Trade Distribution Program, which has resulted in millions of dollars in sales for its members. He was also instrumental in guiding the organization onto the successful track that its Publishing University at BookExpoAmerica enjoys today. He has been an invited speaker at many publishing events throughout the world, and is the author of countless articles in several respected industry publications.
Bob’s highly successful Foreign Rights Programs have been a source of significant revenue streams for his clients. He has successfully negotiated thousands of foreign rights agreements on behalf of authors and publishers participating in his Programs.
Bob (a native Chicagoan) has been happily married to Dottie (an upstate New Yorker), his college sweetheart, for fifty-one years. They have raised five wonderful daughters-Kathy, Karen, Julie, Jenny and Mary, and are the proud grandparents of six boys and four girls. Bob & Dottie have lived most of their married lives in California, with a brief stop in the Colorado Rockies. They currently live in the Sierra Nevada foothills in California’s Mother Lode country. Visit Columbine Communications for additional details.
