Bright Welcomes Paul Black as Brand Partnership Director

We are absolutely delighted to welcome Paul Black to The Bright Agency as our new Brand Partnership Director — a newly created role that signals a bold and strategic step forward for Bright.

Paul joins us in September, bringing with him over 17 years of experience in marketing, publicity and brand strategy across both independent and corporate publishing. From transforming Elmer into a cross-category success at Andersen Press to leading award-winning campaigns at Walker Books, HarperCollins and Little Tiger, Paul’s career has been defined by smart strategy, strong storytelling and creative vision. His arrival represents a significant moment in Bright’s journey, as we continue to expand our offering for artists, authors and brands alike.

Paul Black, Vicki Willden-Lebrecht

In this role, Paul will work closely with both clients and creatives to develop standout brand identities, unlock the commercial value of retained rights, and guide the next generation of talent into new spaces – from publishing to licensing, animation to consumer products. He’ll also lead our in-house marketing team, helping shape campaigns that bring our artists’ stories to life in meaningful, multi-platform ways.

Bright has always championed innovation – from opening a dedicated New York office to launching The Bright Emporium and becoming the first illustration agency to be shortlisted for The British Book Awards Literary Agent of the Year. With Paul now joining our Managing Agent team, we are more committed than ever to building lasting brands, creating cultural impact, and supporting our talent with care, creativity and commercial know-how.

Licensing Agent Laura Hemsley, Paul Black, Vicki Willden-Lebrecht

As Vicki Willden-Lebrecht, our Founder and Creative Director, puts it:

“Paul brings a level of knowledge and expertise that will further elevate the careers of our talent – especially in unlocking the full potential of their backlist and retained rights. We are thrilled to have him on board.”

We look forward to everything that’s to come – from new partnerships and product launches to the creative collaborations that haven’t even been imagined yet.

---

You can follow Paul on Instagram at @paulblack_books