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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German Publisher dtv Launches New Service for Book Clubs

One of German publisher dtv's latest initiatives is an information portal aimed at marketing their titles to the numerous book clubs around the country. The post German Publisher dtv Launches New Service for Book Clubs appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-09-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How The Independent is expanding internationally

It's been five months since The Independent went digital-only, and its global traffic has soared, boosted by Facebook. Its coverage of the EU Referendum and the Olympics has caused the publisher to shoot to the top of some of NewsWhip's publisher league tables. Like all publishers, it's trying... Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2016-08-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #expanding internationally #eu referendum

Amazon to screen Gaiman's American Gods in the UK

The TV adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods will launch for Amazon Prime members in the UK, Germany, Austria and Japan in 2017. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-08-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Opening a Physical Bookstore in Chicago

The mega-retailer is moving forward with bricks-and-mortar stores and is planning to open a 7,200 sq. ft. store in the Windy City's Southport Corridor. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-08-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Devotionals Find an Expanded Audience

Devotionals—short readings intended to strengthen readers' faith—have grown increasingly important to Christian publishers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-08-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon to open bookstores in Chicago and Portland

For an independent bookstore, few threats are bigger than Amazon. With its ebook store and brutally competitive print book prices, it can be hard for a family-run business to compete. Well, it's only going to get tougher now that Amazon is expanding... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2016-08-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #open bookstores #independent bookstore #ebook store

Amazon to donate Kindles to developing countries

Amazon has established a programme to donate Kindle e-readers, ebooks and Fire tablets to readers in developing nations. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-08-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon 'Kindle Reading Fund' makes books more available to those without access

The ability to read is something many of us take for granted. At a young age, you probably had tons of books in your homes and schools, enabling you to learn to both read and write. Believe it or not, not everyone has access to books. Isn't that sad? Luckily, Amazon is looking to change this.... Continue reading at Betanews

[ Betanews | 2016-08-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Historic England and Unbound to provide new publishing service

Historic England is partnering with crowd-funding publisher Unbound to offer a new publishing service to the heritage sector. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-08-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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eMusic Launches Audiobook Subscription Service

TriPlay CEO Tamir Koch hopes eStories will attact audiobook consumers through low prices and more device choices. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-08-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon's Launching Pickup Locations, but Where Are Its Consumer Bookstores?

The mega-retailer has opened a dozen pickup locations to date, but it has yet to open its second Amazon Books, which was slated to be ready this summer. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-08-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Robots to help in Amazon's new Essex warehouse

Amazon is to open a new fulfilment centre in Essex next spring to meet increasing customer demand and support the growing number of third party Amazon Marketplace sellers. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-08-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Radio gets a second act with programmatic audio

Radio audiences have declined, but audio is as popular as ever. Streaming music alone generated $2 billion in revenue last year, proving that there’s still demand for sound and opportunity for audio publishers. Programmatic audio is changing the way audio publishers generate revenue. Sponsored... Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2016-08-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Kortext hires new recruits to drive international growth

UK digital textbook platform Kortext has made two new senior appointments and is doubling the size of its development team in anticipation of "three-four times year-on-year growth" through international expansion. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-08-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Japan offices raided by antitrust authorities

Japan’s Fair Trade Commission has raided the offices of Amazon in Japan on suspicion of it pressuring retailers to offer products at lower prices than on rival sites, Reuters has reported. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-08-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Abbott joins new Baker & Taylor service

Distributor Baker & Taylor has launched a new business unit providing international sales and marketing services. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-08-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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B&T Launches Global Publishers Services

The new unit will be overseen by Chitra Bopardikar, who handled international sales and business development for PGW, and will provide publishers with international sales and marketing services. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Comedian Andrew O'Neill explores heavy metal for Headline

Headline has acquired a debut non-fiction title, A History of Heavy Metal, by "metalhead" and comedian Andrew O’Neill. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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