If you thought Big Tech’s dreadful year of layoffs would be confined to 2023, you’re (sadly) mistaken. Audible laid off around five percent of its employees on Thursday, which Variety reports is “just over 100 staffers.” The cuts in the audiobook division are part of parent company Amazon’s most recent round of layoffs, also affecting Prime Video, MGM, and Twitch. “We did not take this route without considerable thought,” Audible CEO Bob Carrigan reportedly said in an audio memo delivered to staff. “But getting leaner and more efficient is the way we will need to operate now — and in the foreseeable future — in order to continue delivering best-in-class audio storytelling to our customers around the world.” For those keeping score, “leaner and more efficient” echoes the language in numerous recent Big Tech layoff announcements. Variations of “In these uncertain times...” have also been popular. Carrigan ironically began by talking about Audible's strong performance last year. “I want to acknowledge the strong year we had in 2023, in which we delivered amazing listening experiences for our customers thanks to outstanding collaboration with creators and partners,” he reportedly said. “Our business is in good shape, and that is because of the hard work of each and every one of you.” The CEO extolled how much the company values its workers. “A big part of what makes working at Audible so special is our many talented and dedicated employees who bring their passion to work each... Continue reading at 'Engadget'
[ Engadget | 2024-01-11 22:00:11 UTC ]
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Looking for ways to entertain kids and teens at home? Audible has launched Audible Stories, a free service that offers family-friendly educational and entertaining audiobook content. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2020-03-19 19:24:21 UTC ]
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A former manager at Facebook published a scathing memo on Tuesday criticizing the social media giant for its treatment of its black users and its black employees. Mark Luckie, a former partner manager for global influencers at Facebook who focused on underrepresented voices, wrote in a memo to... Continue reading at AdWeek
[ AdWeek | 2018-11-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The country's largest book chain said sales dropped 6.5% in the fiscal year, ended April 29. Barnes & Noble reported lower losses in its Nook division, however, which led to a jump in operating income. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-06-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'This report is a call to action for government' on the UK market's AI policy, says the Publishers Association's Dan Conway in London. The post Publishers Association Blasts the UK Government’s Response to AI Report appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2024-05-08 00:00:35 UTC ]
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The South Dakota governor had already stirred up controversy by revealing in her upcoming book that she shot and killed her young dog. Continue reading at HuffPost
[ HuffPost | 2024-05-03 11:07:27 UTC ]
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Audible is testing a cheaper subscription tier in Australia that sounds like an answer to Spotify’s audiobook push. Like the more expensive plan, the new Standard membership gives you one free title per month. But, similar to gaming services like PlayStation Plus, you lose access to the books... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2024-05-02 19:13:47 UTC ]
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As companies around the country roll out plans to honor May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a new report out Wednesday suggests members of those communities are paying more attention than ever to representation Continue reading at ABC News
[ ABC News | 2024-05-01 18:38:04 UTC ]
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The books will be released sequentially, starting with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, with a full cast of yet-to-be-named actors and a ‘groundbreaking new soundscape’New audiobooks of all seven titles in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series will be released exclusively on Audible in late... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2024-04-25 16:37:29 UTC ]
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The Book Manufacturers Institute’s annual state of the industry report sees manufacturing returning to a more normal business pattern in 2024, with digital printing playing a larger role in making the manufacturing process more efficient. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-04-23 04:00:00 UTC ]
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PEN's new report shows that book bans continue to rise and continue to target books by or about queer people and people of color. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2024-04-16 12:05:00 UTC ]
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The report, 'Banned in the USA: Narrating the Crisis,' reports 4,349 book bans recorded from July to December 2023, with more book bans recorded during the first half of the current school year than in all of the last school year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-04-16 04:00:00 UTC ]
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On April 8 and 9, Simon & Schuster hosted two star-studded centenary fetes in New York City to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-04-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Simon & Schuster appears to be thriving as it turns 100, a book restorer reveals the surprising secrets of her work, and more news. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2024-04-11 13:56:20 UTC ]
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The milestone comes after a particularly turbulent period, when the publisher was put up for sale and bought by a private equity firm. Since then, investments have boosted morale and helped it grow. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2024-04-10 15:26:51 UTC ]
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Sales of religious books at companies that report results to the Association of American Publishers’ StatShot program rose 7.8% last year over 2022, hitting $819.7 million. It was the largest increase among all publishing categories. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-04-02 04:00:00 UTC ]
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'One hour of listening to an audiobook on Storytel emits 2.3 grams of CO2e,' the Swedish subscription streamer today reports. The post Storytel’s 2023 Report: The Sound of Sustainability appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2024-03-28 21:37:15 UTC ]
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“My job as a parent isn’t over until your book gets published,” my father said, years ago. I don’t remember the circumstances of this statement—where we were, what we were doing. I want to say it had something to do with his body, maybe the deterioration of his lungs to COPD, his breathing so... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2024-03-27 08:54:34 UTC ]
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