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From the outside, DK can seem almost bewilderingly diverse, replete with many exciting book lines, target audiences and styles. Today we're going to round off our introductions by taking a look at two people who's job it is to ensure order and promote a coherent plan for growth--Kristen O'Connell and Judi Powers:

Kristen O'Connell, Marketing Manager

I am the marketing manager for adult books at DK Publishing. I got my start in publishing as the result of an unlikely discussion over a paper coffee cup promoting the David Sedaris' book Naked with my first boss. As it turned out, he and the author were good friends, and he was impressed that I asked about the cup. I had the job offer by the time I returned to Human Resources. Everything should be so easy! That day, luck was on my side -- I ended up working with him for the next 8 years.

My day to day involves cheerleading to a wide variety of audiences-from bloggers to booksellers! I have a special place in my heart for cookbooks (and am improving my own culinary skills every week), and DK have some of the best in the business...but more from me on that later.

When not at work I live in Jersey City with my techie husband David and our fabulous mutt Abby.

Judi Powers, Director of Marketing and Publicity

I'm the Director of Marketing and Publicity for DK Publishing where I've worked for almost 3 years. I've always loved art and illustrated books and after college, with a degree in art history, I thought I'd end up working in the art world. Back in the days of looking for a job in the printed "Help Wanted" section of the New York Times, I read and applied for a job with an art book publisher. That was 18 years ago and once I walked through the publishing door, I never looked back. My publishing career has focused on publicity and marketing and I've been so lucky to work with many celebrated authors and artists over the years, among them Karen Armstrong, Geraldine Brooks, David Hockney, Ada Louise Huxtable, Sue Monk Kidd, Ross King, Chef Masaharu Morimoto, and Robert Rauschenberg, to name only a small few. I've learned so much from the authors and colleagues I've worked with over the years: collectively they've taught me to strive for excellence, be transparent, plan ahead, and savor every moment.

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