# St. Martin’s Publishing Group VP Tom Thompson Dies Creative advertising leader and published poet passes away after a distinguished career. - **Source:** [Publishers Weekly](https://www.publishersweekly.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/3cf3d892-5060-4da4-ab64-2eebf7f5b5c4 ## Passing of Creative Leader Tom Thompson, the Vice President of creative advertising at St. Martin’s Publishing Group, passed away on November 1. His death marks a significant loss for the publishing house, where he had served for nine years. No specific age or cause of death was provided in the official announcement regarding his passing. ## Transforming In-House Operations During his tenure at Macmillan, Thompson led a 16-person team within the SMPG Creative Studio. He was instrumental in guiding the department’s transition into a full-service, in-house advertising agency. This strategic shift allowed the publisher to manage its creative output more effectively, centralizing advertising efforts under his direct professional leadership. ## Extensive Industry Background Before joining the Macmillan team, Thompson built a substantial career in book advertising. He spent over a decade working at Verso Advertising, a specialized agency focused on the publishing sector. This long-term experience provided him with the deep industry knowledge necessary to elevate the creative standards at St. Martin’s Publishing Group. ## Literary and Artistic Contributions Beyond his corporate role, Thompson was an accomplished poet with several published collections. His notable works include The Pitch, Live Feed, and Passenger, all released through Alice James or Four Way. These literary achievements highlight a dual career that balanced high-level corporate advertising with personal creative expression and artistic dedication. ## Recognition and Professional Awards His contributions to poetry were formally recognized by prestigious institutions within the literary community. Thompson received grants and awards from the Academy of American Poets and the Poetry Society of America. These accolades underscore his reputation as a respected figure who successfully navigated both the commercial publishing world and artistic circles. ## Legacy of Mentorship Colleagues at Macmillan have remembered Thompson for his visionary eye and gentle spirit. In a note shared with Publishers Weekly, the company highlighted his role as a generous mentor to his staff. His influence on the creative culture at the firm remains a central part of his professional legacy within publishing. ## Impact on Publishing Advertising Thompson leaves behind a lasting creative impact on the broader publishing industry through his innovative approach to advertising. By professionalizing in-house creative services, he set a benchmark for how publishing houses handle their own promotional campaigns. His work bridged the gap between traditional book marketing and modern, full-service agency standards. ## Remembering a Creative Visionary The loss of Thompson represents the departure of a leader who integrated artistic sensibility with corporate strategy. His career trajectory from agency work to internal leadership at Macmillan illustrates the evolving nature of publishing roles. He remains a noted figure for those who value the intersection of literature and commercial advertising. ## Sources covering this story - http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/Obituary/article/101717-st-martin-s-publishing-group-vp-tom-thompson-dies.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._