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 ]
News tagged with: #selling books #laundry detergent #tv shows #music streaming

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Writers unite in campaign against 'thuggish' Amazon

Nearly 900 authors across world back criticism of online retailer's business tactics in ebooks dispute with US publisher HachetteThey include some of the biggest literary names on the planet, among them Stephen King, Donna Tartt, Paul Auster, James Patterson and John Grisham; a Pulitzer prize... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-07-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #stephen king #donna tartt #paul auster #james patterson #john grisham #jennifer egan #joshua ferris #siri hustvedt

A Loss for Amazon

Amazon sales in the second quarter rose 23%, to $19.34 billion, in line with analysts' expectations, but the net loss of $126 million was deeper than expected. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-07-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon vs. Hachette: Are You Buying Less?

In a survey, Codex Group reports 39% were aware of the Amazon/Hachette dispute — and 7.5% are buying less from Amazon. Are you? Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-07-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Fire phone review: a unique device, but you're better off waiting for the sequel

After producing a long line of ebook readers and tablets (not to mention a set-top box), Amazon has its sights set on the smartphone market. But finding success here won't be easy, even for an established tech giant like Amazon. With the Fire phone,... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2014-07-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon offers to donate Hachette book proceeds to charity

Amazon has reportedly offered Authors United, a group of writers protesting against the online... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-07-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Top-Authors Lobby for Long-Term Strategy Against Amazon

Numerous top authors are enlisting fellow writers to formulate a "long-term" strategy to combat Amazon's dominance of the market, writes The Bookseller. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-07-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Makes Plea to Authors to Quiet Down

Amazon has extended an olive branch to the newly formed Authors United group, and asked that the organization stop making statements that paint the e-tailer in a negative light as its terms dispute with Hachette drags on. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-07-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon-Dissenting Authors Form 'Authors United'

As HBG's dispute with the e-tailer continues, authors are starting to prepare for the long haul by forming their own organization. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-07-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Authors United' promises long-term Amazon strategy

Authors United, the group of writers who signed a letter calling on Amazon to resolve its dispute... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-07-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Names Winner in 2014 Novel Contest

Amazon has chosen D.M. Pulley of Shaker Heights, Ohio, as the grand prize winner in its seventh annual Breakthrough Novel Award contest. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-07-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon buyers prefer DRM-free ebooks, study claims

The big publishers lock down their ebooks to their own detriment, according to a new study. Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2014-07-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Simon & Schuster negotiating with Amazon amid Hachette feud

The publisher is reportedly in talks with the e-commerce giant, sparking speculation as to what the negotiations are about. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-07-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon's Kindle Unlimited offers all-you-can-eat ebooks for $10 a month

After teasing us with a possible launch, Amazon has confirmed Kindle Unlimited, its all-you-can-read ebook subscription service. For $9.99 per month, Kindle Unlimited offers 600,000 books and "thousands" of audiobooks across a range of devices. As... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2014-07-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon launches Kindle Unlimited in US

Amazon has officially launched its Kindle Unlimited ebook subscription service in the US today (... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-07-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Makes Kindle Unlimited Official

Kindle Unlimited, a new subscription service from Amazon allowing customers unfettered access to ebooks and audiobooks, has officially launched. Amazon began testing the service, which has long been rumored, earlier this week. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-07-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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EU Commission to investigate German Amazon complaint

The complaint against Amazon that the German trade association Börsenverein officially... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-07-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Simon & Schuster in talks with Amazon

The president of Simon & Schuster’s parent company, CBS Corp, has said the company is... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-07-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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S&S in Talks with Amazon

At a conference in Colorado, CBS CEO Les Moonves said the company's Simon & Schuster subsidiary is "negotiating with Amazon as we speak." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-07-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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