The Periodical Book Association of America and the International Periodical Distributors Association will merge into a new organization bringing together book and magazine publishers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers, both groups recently announced.

The combined organization will be named the Magazines and Books at Retail Association. IDPA President Jerry Lynch will be president of MBR while PBAA Executive Director Rich Alleger "will assume new capacities" within the merged association, although neither group said what his new role would be.
MBR will be based in New York City.

"IPDA and PBAA have always worked closely together. The merger will allow us to focus our efforts, resources and voices; strengthen our programs; and accomplish all of this in a more efficient manner," Lynch said.

IPDA is a $1 million-revenue organization while PBAA reported $252,000 in revenue in its most recent tax filings. Both are based in New York. http://bit.ly/28KzZ0H

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