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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AUDIO: 'Ebooks could threaten writing'

Booker Prize winning author Graham Swift believes digital publishing could threaten the livelihood of authors in the future because they are being paid too little. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2011-08-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon publishing a "concern"—Barnsley

Written By: Graeme Neill Publication Date: Tue, 16/08/2011 - 15:46 Amazon's move into publishing is a "concern" and the business is close to being in a monopolistic position, according to the c.e.o. of HarperCollins. Victoria Barnsley was the latest book trade figure to appear on BBC Radio 4's... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-08-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon bypasses Apple rules with Cloud Reader app

Written By: Lisa Campbell Publication Date: Wed, 10/08/2011 - 15:45 Amazon has launched a Kindle Cloud Reader app, just two weeks after it, along with other ebooksellers, was forced to remove links to its Kindle store from its native app by Apple. The company said the new tool could be used... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-08-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon quietly launches Kindle networking site

Written By: Lisa Campbell Publication Date: Mon, 08/08/2011 - 15:39 Amazon.com has launched a social networking site for Kindle users to discuss and share notes on ebooks. The site, called kindle.amazon.com, allows users to set up profile pages, make notes on the ebooks they read and share... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Eason expands with four new franchise stores

Written By: Lisa Campbell Publication Date: Fri, 29/07/2011 - 09:15 Eason is opening four new franchise stores in Ireland as it appeals for more people to become franchisees. The Irish bookseller said it was "keen to encourage individuals and businesses" to explore the Eason franchise model as... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Kindle fuels 'fastest growth' in a decade at Amazon

Written By: Lisa Campbell Publication Date: Wed, 27/07/2011 - 07:47 Amazon.com is experiencing its "fastest growth" in more than a decade with accelerating Kindle sales, according to its founder Jeff Bezos, but at a cost to the bottom line. read more Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Irish authorities clear Amazon Book Depository acquistion

Written By: Graeme Neill Publication Date: Wed, 27/07/2011 - 08:17 The Irish Competition Authority has cleared the acquisition of The Book Depository by Amazon after a three week investigation into the deal. In a short statement, the authority said: "[We have] formed the view that the... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Irish authorities clear Amazon Book Depository acquisition

Written By: Graeme Neill Publication Date: Wed, 27/07/2011 - 07:40 The Irish Competition Authority has cleared the acquisition of The Book Depository by Amazon after a three-week investigation into the deal. In a short statement, the authority said: "[We have] formed the view that the... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Leather to be published by Amazon Encore

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon, B&N comply with Apple app rules

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon to enter Indian market

Written By: Bookseller Staff Publication Date: Tue, 26/07/2011 - 09:30 Amazon.com is reportedly in discussions with e-commerce companies in India in a bid to expand into one of the world's fastest-growing economies. The company could enter the market as early as first quarter 2012. It is in... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon and Barnes & Noble Pull 'Buy' Links from Apps

In the latest development in Apple’s contentious relationship with booksellers, the country’s two biggest ebook retailers—Amazon and Barnes & Noble—have stopped selling their wares directly to customers through their Apple apps, reports the Wall Street Journal. Canadian bookseller Kobo did... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2011-07-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon UK launches Textbook Trade-In Programme

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Kindle launches textbook rentals

Iniative would allow Kindle users to rent books with up to 80% offAmazon.com launched Kindle textbook rentals, promising "tens of thousands of textbooks" at discounts of as much as 80% less than purchase price on July 18. Continue reading at Baltimore Sun

[ Baltimore Sun | 2011-07-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon offers US students textbook rental

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Tries Taking the Kindle To School, Again, With Textbook Rentals

Amazon, which dominates the ebook market, has stayed out of the electronic textbook market. Until now: The company has opened up a textbook store for its Kindle platform, where it is renting "tens of thousands" of titles for the upcoming school year. Continue reading at AllThingsD

[ AllThingsD | 2011-07-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon drops price of ad-supported Kindle

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon to open new fulfilment centre

Written By: Graeme Neill Publication Date: Mon, 11/07/2011 - 08:45 Amazon.co.uk is creating 900 jobs by opening its seventh fulfilment centre in Rugeley, Staffordshire. The 700,000 square foot centre will begin fulfilling orders from September and aims to employ more than 900 permanent and... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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HarperCollins catches Amazon bestsellers

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BA opposes Amazon and Book Depository merger

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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