Amazon Recruits Comedians, Engineers for Expanding Audio Service

Amazon.com Inc. is ramping up its investment in podcasts and other radio-style shows to expand the types of programming it offers via Audible, the audio book company it acquired in 2008.Audible has recruited well-known comedians, along with radio and podcast producers for the initiative, and job postings suggest a significant global push. Maria Bamford and Jonathan Katz are taping episodes of "Bedtime Stories," a show in which comedians rewrite fairy tales, according to their manager Bruce Smith.Entertainment plays a crucial role in Amazon's effort to push beyond its core business of selling books, laundry detergent and televisions online. The Seattle-based company's original films and TV shows have won critical acclaim and helped increase the appeal of its $99-a-year Prime service, which includes delivery discounts along with video and music streaming. Audible has more than 250,000 audio programs including books and plays, with downloads available for iPhones, Androids and other smartphone systems. Continue reading at AdAge.com Continue reading at 'Advertising Age'

[ Advertising Age | 2016-01-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Germany's culture minister speaks out against Amazon

German culture and media minister Monika Gruetters recently addressed the campaign by European authors protesting Amazon's business tactics with Swedish publisher Bonnier Group. Gruetters said she 'supports' the effort. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-08-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Limited uptake for Amazon's Kindle Worlds

“Serious content restrictions” at Amazon’s fan fiction platform Kindle Worlds... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-08-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Waterstones stocks Amazon Publishing's Sherratt

Paperback editions of books by Amazon Publishing UK author Mel Sherratt are being stocked locally... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-08-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Blurb Teams with Ingram; Offers More Trade Services

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-08-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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What's going on with the Washington Post's 'buy it now' Amazon book links?

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[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-08-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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German-language Authors Join in Battle Against Amazon

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-08-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon-Bonnier battle goes public with protest by European authors

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[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-08-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Distribution Engine Brings U.K. Small Press Graphic Novels to the U.S.

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-08-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Guardian view on Amazon v Hachette: reading and writing | Editorial

Can a one-size-fits-all, low-price, consumer-dominated sales model support a diverse, innovative, challenging literary output?It is either an existential threat to intellectual freedom or a rustbelt media industry meeting its comeuppance at the hands of disruptive technology. The battle between... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-08-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Why It’s Imperative Amazon v. Hachette Ends Soon

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-08-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon's Whispersync comes to UK

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[ The Bookseller | 2014-08-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Responds to German Authors' Protest

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-08-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon's Russell Grandinetti: Kindle champ takes on the books trade | Observer profile

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[ The Guardian | 2014-08-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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George Orwell estate 'appalled and wryly' amused at Amazon's 'doublespeak' (+video)

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[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-08-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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George Orwell estate 'appalled and wryly' amused at Amazon's 'doublespeak'

Child hits back at indie authors in Amazon debate

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[ The Bookseller | 2014-08-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Orwell estate hits back at Amazon's corporate 'doublespeak'

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[ The Guardian | 2014-08-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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