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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Audio Publishers Association Survey: Nearly $1 Billion in 2018 Sales

The new annual sales survey from the APA shows audiobooks holding its market lead for growth in formats, with listening in cars on the upswing in 2018. The post Audio Publishers Association Survey: Nearly $1 Billion in 2018 Sales appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-07-16 17:07:26 UTC ]
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Amazon Prime Day 2019: The Best Kindle Is Only $60

We're big fans of Amazon's Kindles, and all three are on sale for Prime Day: Standard, Paperwhite, and Oasis. They're as cheap as we've seen them. Continue reading at Wired

[ Wired | 2019-07-16 14:30:00 UTC ]
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Every New Streaming Service Has ‘Plus’ in Its Name. That Could Be a Minus

Streaming services love pluses. Just take a look at the number of companies that have tacked the "+" sign onto the ends of their new OTT services. There's Apple, which in March announced Apple TV+, an ad-free subscription add-on to its digital media player Apple TV that will have original... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2019-07-16 12:00:05 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #streaming service #ott services #original programming #digital media


Amazon Prime Day 2019: The Best Kindle Is Only $60

We're big fans of Amazon's Kindles, and all three are on sale for Prime Day: Standard, Paperwhite, and Oasis. They're as cheap as we've seen them. Continue reading at Wired

[ Wired | 2019-07-15 18:30:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #big fans #prime day #kindle


Stratford Literary Festival expands Bedtime Stories project with ACE funding

The organisers of Stratford Literary Festival are extending their Bedtime Stories project, which helps families in areas of disadvantage read with their children, thanks to a £15,000 Arts Council England (ACE) grant. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-07-15 08:55:07 UTC ]
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GMB holds Amazon Prime Day protests

The GMB union is holding a series of protests outside Amazon warehouses this week to coincide with its Prime Day event. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-07-15 04:47:59 UTC ]
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Best Amazon Kindle and Fire tablet deals for Prime Day 2019

Amazon Prime Day isn’t just a day—it’s essentially a 60-hour event that starts right now with deals on Amazon’s own devices, including Fire tablets and Kindle e-readers. Bottom line: If you’ve been considering one of these devices, now is the time to buy, as we’re seeing discounts of up to 50... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2019-07-14 19:01:00 UTC ]
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These are the Prime Day deals Amazon is offering on its Kindles, Echos, and Fire tablets

Shoppers can save up to $80 on select Kindles. With Amazon’s Prime Day 2019 kicking off on Monday, the company has revealed some of the deals to be had on its range of hardware devices. The deals include everything from $70 off Echo Shows to $80 off on Kindle Oasis to $100 off on Fire TV... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2019-07-12 05:47:39 UTC ]
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Citing Embargo, Libraries Plan Boycott of Blackstone Digital Audio

A coalition of some 44 public libraries across Washington state is organizing a six-month boycott of Blackstone Publishing's digital audiobooks after the publisher announced last month that it would withhold new release audio titles from libraries for 90 days. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-07-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
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National Libraries Conference aims for 'continued survival' of service

A National Libraries Conference, due to take place later this month, aims to ensure the service’s “continued survival” in a digital age, organisers say. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-07-11 05:47:50 UTC ]
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Audio Publishers Association Calls for 2020 Audie Awards Entries

The 'first wave' Audies deadline arrives in five days for titles in 24 categories published by August 31, with a 'second wave' deadline in early October. The post Audio Publishers Association Calls for 2020 Audie Awards Entries appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-07-10 05:30:54 UTC ]
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Cheltenham granted ACE funding to expand reading programme

Cheltenham Festivals has received a grant of £127,608 from Arts Council England to expand its Reading Teachers = Reading Pupils programme over the next three years.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-07-08 19:49:53 UTC ]
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Amazon, that upstart online bookstore, turns 25 (Photos)

Since its launch 25 years ago, Amazon's reach has extended well beyond an online bookstore. And while it may seem obvious today, at the time Jeff Bezos was working to get his idea to the masses, many investors thought it would be no match for bookstore giants like Borders and Barnes &... Continue reading at Silicon Valley Business Journal

[ Silicon Valley Business Journal | 2019-07-08 11:14:14 UTC ]
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Amazon, that upstart online bookstore, turns 25 (Photos)

Since its launch 25 years ago, Amazon's reach has extended well beyond an online bookstore. And while it may seem obvious today, at the time Jeff Bezos was working to get his idea to the masses, many investors thought it would be no match for bookstore giants like Borders and Barnes and... Continue reading at Silicon Valley Business Journal

[ Silicon Valley Business Journal | 2019-07-08 10:53:45 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #online bookstore #obvious today #investors thought #bookstore giants #institutional investors #tom alberg #big rival #dominant figure #book industry #bookstore


Campaigners in new bid to save Essex library services

Library campaigners are calling on Essex County Council to launch a new consultation on the future of its libraries in a new bid to save the services.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-07-08 10:24:45 UTC ]
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(PHOTOS) Amazon, that upstart online bookstore, turns 25: A history in photos

Since its launch 25 years ago, Amazon's reach has extended well beyond an online bookstore. And while it may seem obvious today, at the time Jeff Bezos was working to get his idea to the masses, many investors thought it would be no match for bookstore giants like Borders and Barnes and... Continue reading at Silicon Valley Business Journal

[ Silicon Valley Business Journal | 2019-07-08 10:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #online bookstore #obvious today #investors thought #bookstore giants #institutional investors #tom alberg #big rival #dominant figure #book industry #bookstore


Amazon, that upstart online bookstore, turns 25 (Photos)

Since its launch 25 years ago, Amazon's reach has extended well beyond an online bookstore. And while it may seem obvious today, at the time Jeff Bezos was working to get his idea to the masses, many investors thought it would be no match for bookstore giants like Borders and Barnes and... Continue reading at Silicon Valley Business Journal

[ Silicon Valley Business Journal | 2019-07-05 17:38:09 UTC ]
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How to get free books for your Amazon Kindle

When you own an Amazon Kindle, the cost of supporting a voracious reading habit can get very steep, very quickly. A quick glance at Amazon’s list of the Best Books of the Month shows that a decent read can set you back between $13 and $15 for a Kindle edition book. Sure, Amazon offers deals... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2019-07-03 08:26:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Literary Prize Finalists To Be Considered for Prime Video

Already among the world's richest awards for self-published content, Amazon's global literary prizes now include a chance at Amazon Studios development. The post Amazon Literary Prize Finalists To Be Considered for Prime Video appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-07-03 02:12:27 UTC ]
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Amazon Prime opportunity for Kindle Storyteller Award finalists

Finalists from the Kindle Storyteller Awards will have the chance to see their work made into a production with Amazon Studios for Prime Video, Amazon has revealed.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-07-02 06:13:31 UTC ]
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