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 ]
In the last of three pieces on the audiobook sector in the run-up to FutureBook Live, W F Howes’ Dominic White looks at the future of the format Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-12-12 00:45:39 UTC ]
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World Book Night will expand its audiobook offering in 2020, after a successful pilot with John Green’s Turtles All the Way Down in 2019. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-12-10 07:35:35 UTC ]
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In this installment of our audio IRL, senior editor Andrew Tarantola's affinity for anime leads him to an unlikely musical discovery. Senior editor Jessica Conditt is addicted to true crime podcasts, but her recommendation is an audiobook with podcas... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2019-12-03 14:30:00 UTC ]
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In UK audiobook statistics, Harris Interactive sees younger, higher salaried men leading listeners. Orion's Katie Espiner talks about women in publishing. The post More From FutureBook Live: Harris on Audio, Espiner on Management appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-11-26 09:30:58 UTC ]
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Publishers are missing out on audiobook listeners who want sci-fi and romance titles, statistics on sales show. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-25 14:46:44 UTC ]
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For book lovers, Small Business Saturday means a trip to the local independent bookstore, many of which invite local authors to hang out and make recommendations. If you’re an audiobook lover you can still support small businesses, and I don’t mean purchasing your audiobooks on compact disc. Ask... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2019-11-25 09:48:59 UTC ]
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Contemporary recordings breathe new life into such books as “To the Lighthouse,” “Jane Eyre” and “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2019-11-22 17:06:26 UTC ]
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Audiobook sales have rocketed in 2019, and look set to achieve another record year, as the sector continues to attract first-time listeners. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-15 08:43:01 UTC ]
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W H Smith has unveiled its Books of the Year, with the retailer recognising two children's books for the first time. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-13 15:22:56 UTC ]
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William Seymour has won The Future AudioBook Originals competition with his short story "Interviewing". Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-12 17:32:18 UTC ]
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The audiobook of Garrett M. Graff’s “The Only Plane in the Sky” offers vivid memories of people who were present at the 9/11 tragedy. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2019-11-12 10:00:05 UTC ]
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From the hugely popular to the lesser known, these are the best Audible books of 2019 that will make perfect audiobook gifts for anyone on your list. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2019-11-04 11:37:38 UTC ]
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Valérie Lévy-Soussan, founder of Audiolib, has tracked France’s audiobook market from CDs in the early 2000s to streaming and download formats. The post From Frankfurt’s First Audio Summit: Valérie Lévy-Soussan of France’s Audiolib appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-10-31 05:30:42 UTC ]
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Rowman & Littlefield Audio plans to release 35 audio titles this year and 50 in 2020 in subject areas that include history, self-help, business, and pop culture. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-10-29 04:00:00 UTC ]
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If you listen to audiobooks on Libby, then you need these Libby audiobook hacks in your life. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2019-10-25 10:41:56 UTC ]
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A W F Howes audiobook of self-published star LJ Ross’s new Dr Alexander Gregory thriller Impostor will be narrated by “Hannibal” actor Hugh Dancy. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-10-22 03:57:05 UTC ]
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There are a lot of tips around on how to get physical review copies. But how about audiobooks? Below are some ways to get those audiobook ARCs. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2019-10-21 10:39:48 UTC ]
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Author Nnedi Okorafor is known for her award-winning Afrofuturist works, stories rooted in African culture and perspective that explore beyond the realm of what is currently possible. Okorafor’s writing examines the intersection of technology, the natural world, and magic, building a world in... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2019-10-17 08:47:48 UTC ]
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In her new audiobook “Self-Tanner for the Soul,” the quasi-reformed party girl tells listeners that you can, in fact, run away from your problems. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2019-10-16 16:00:15 UTC ]
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Audio dominates the shortlists for this year’s prestigious FutureBook Awards, with seven podcasts, and seven audiobooks shortlisted along with the campaign for the launch of the Penguin Classics audiobook series, and start-ups NoisyBook and DeepZen. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-10-16 15:52:38 UTC ]
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