Daniel Knotts

Well, it’s official. As reported on the business wire earlier today, RR Donnelley (RRD) has split into three separate, publicly held companies. First revealed in August 2015, the breakup of the $11.7 billion conglomerate follows the latest corporate trend of “maximizing shareholder value” by creating more focused companies; in theory, the parts are more valuable than the whole. Similar moves, partly driven by activist investors, are in process at Xerox and already occurred at HP.

CHICAGO—In light of the official merger with Moore Wallace that has created the largest commercial printing operation in North America, RR Donnelley has announced an initial round of managerial appointments. Among the managers are Suzanne Bettman, senior vice president and general counsel; Thomas Brooker, group president, forms, labels and office products; Dean Cherry, group president, short-run and variable print solutions; Susan Henricks, president of directories; Daniel Knotts, group executive vice president, long-run print solutions; Michael Krause, executive vice president of strategy; Ed Lane, president, book publishing services; Robert Nelson, president, corporate sales; and Thomas Quinlan III, executive vice president of operations. Mary Lee Schneider remains

By Erik Cagle When your company is the largest printing communications conglomerate in the United States (second biggest in North America after Quebecor World)—in a manufacturing industry that is fourth largest in this country—suffice to say all eyes are on you. It makes no difference if the onus of an entire industry is wanted or warranted. Your company becomes a reflection of all that is wrong with the industry. The most layoffs, most plant closings, the biggest dip in year-to-year sales—if you want to know what's wrong with an industry, look for the giant with a huge target on its back. That giant