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Jane Gentle has been promoted to deputy communications director at Penguin General with immediate effect, as Rosana Safaty also steps up and Juliet Dudley secures a permanent role.
The publisher said: “Jane is a hugely talented publicist, whose work is defined by impeccable planning— in selecting the most impactful media opportunities, making every effort that interviews are as positive as possible and supporting authors throughout the process.”
Gentle began her career at Penguin General then worked for Michael Joseph and publicity agency Colman Getty before a six-year stint at Mumsnet. She returned to Penguin General in 2018 and became head of campaigns in 2022.
The publicist worked as part of the team that delivered the PPC Award-winning campaign for A Promised Land by Barack Obama, as well as The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama. She also helped to launch Taste by Stanley Tucci and delivered numerous campaigns for Ben Macintyre’s books, most recently for Colditz.
Penguin General added: “Jane secured the front cover of the Observer Review for Caleb Azumah Nelson for his novel Small Worlds, and landed a TV appearance on BBC 2’s ’Between the Covers’ for Liz Nugent for Strange Sally Diamond. She is in the midst of co-ordinating Dolly Alderton’s biggest PR and events tour yet, for her second novel Good Material.
The publisher added: “It’s really exciting to have Jane move into this new role – her many years of varied experience make her able to act as a high level problem-solver to support the team with issues as they arise.
"She is leading key PR skills training sessions for the team and Jane has a unique insight into media training and messaging, having been a media spokesperson in a previous role. Jane is also taking the lead on risk mapping and reputation management for the division.”
Penguin General said it was also “thrilled” to promote Safaty to campaigns manager effective immediately.
“Rosie has grown impressively at Penguin General, and consistently delivers excellent campaign work, securing the top slots with tenacity,” the publisher said. “Rosie is a key part of the Richard Osman PR team, working alongside Olivia Mead, and has worked with author Emily Henry since the very beginning of her growth to megastardom.
“She secured TV coverage for the Black Britain Writing Back series by getting Bernardine Evaristo on ’BBC Breakfast’, landed ITV’s ’Lorraine’ for Miranda Cowley Heller, author of The Paper Palace and an extraordinary Guardian interview for Katriona O’Sullivan, author of Poor, which she then used to secure broadcast including ’Woman’s Hour’, ’West Midlands’ BBC TV and more.”
Additionally Dudley has now joined the team permanently as communications assistant. Penguin General said: “Juliet has impressed us hugely with the speed at which she has got to grips with the assistant tasks supporting the team, and has already shown she has the makings of a great publicist by securing a piece in the Guardian for Charlotte Williams on the Black Britain Writing Back campaign.”