The founder of Jolies Planches, a publisher of “intellectual and decorative interests”, he joined the fold of Éditions Gallimard. And he still “squeezes” that he has an office there.
Madame Figaro. – At the time of waking up?
Isabel Diacono. – I’m not a morning person. I sleep very badly, I am always in a mess. Every awakening is a tear.
The height of your position ?
Desecrate culture and show that it should bring emotion and beauty. Putting knowledge back on the walls, away from everything digital. This is what I wanted to do by creating a collection of decorative and encyclopedic plates (cartographies, zoological, botanical plates, etc.), reprints of buried treasures from the BnF; work I continue in the Gallimard archives.
Results must be given here and now ?
In five years we have published more than 200 references, from cabinets of curiosities to Guillaume Apollinaires, and have 80 resellers in France and Europe.
I have always been in charge of strategy. i love being where we see the future
Isabel Diacono
If we go back to the roots ?
Life according to the instructions of my father, the district head. Fourteen moves for fourteen experiences. It creates the ability to be resilient to change…
The device that started it all ?
My parents read a lot. In CM2, I had a classics-loving teacher. A Pagnol character who made us want to read the dream by Emile Zola. My first literary memory.
Travel accelerators ?
Since my first position at Bouygues Telecom, I have always led the strategy; i love being where we see the future.
Obstacles ?
In 2004, I followed my husband to London without speaking English well. I was destabilized. the language barrier causes misunderstandings, our words lack nuance, we feel less credible… After three months of intensive training, I landed an excellent position in the department advising the CEO of the telecommunications company O2.
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Mentor ?
When we returned, in 2011, I met with Christophe Burgo, a headhunter. A rare creature. A true guide. He believed in me for the digital transformation and the strategy of the Elsevier editorial group, the world leader in scientific publishing, founded in 1880, publisher Lancet (popular scientific journal, editor’s note). He has been giving me advice ever since. We count once a year.
Who trusted you? ?
Charlotte Gallimard, General Manager of Madrigall, Gallimard Group Holding. I wanted to meet him… and we got together a month and a half later. He has a very clear understanding of the derivative products that can be imagined around literature.
Modernity makes beautiful things disappear, but if we pay attention, they can come back
Isabelle Diacono, founder of Jolies Planches
A challenge for tomorrow ?
So far I’m enjoying it. I still pinch myself that I have an office in Gallimard. In the early months I worked for the late Philip Sollers. Some days you walk past three academics in uniform, or you open the bathroom door and find Patti Smith.
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What would you like to convey? ?
Some loyalty and loyalty in work. I have the same printer as the day I started, the same press officer. We can create this clan spirit, even without an office.
Digital addiction ?
Not really. I’m even tired of it.
Off for a moment ?
With my husband and two children. We are very close. After many difficulties, I had my daughter at the age of 39 and a half. It’s humbling. You think you are directing your life, and nature is telling you. “Just because you decide it doesn’t mean it will work.” »
A look that sets you free ?
The idea for Jolies Planches, created in 2017, came to me while making a story frieze for my son that I couldn’t find anywhere. Modernity makes beautiful things disappear, but if we pay attention, they can come back.
Source: Le Figaro
