Amanda Close, VP Digital Channel & Marketing Development, is currently responsible for marketplace development at Random House, Inc., where she has worked for more than 10 years. Her team focuses on three major areas: building online commerce and marketing partnerships to connect Random House brands and authors more closely with consumers; developing new marketing platforms, tools & techniques; and scaling these capabilities and programs across Random House. Before taking on her current role, she held various positions in sales and operations. Prior to her years at Random House, Amanda spent two years in Germany working for Allianz, a financial services company, and spent two years working for a marketing consulting firm in Boston. Amanda graduated with a degree in English from Harvard College and received an MBA with a focus on media and technology from the Stern School at New York University.