Audible reportedly lays off over 100 employees

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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HarperCollins Profits Slow Down in the Third Quarter

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-05-09 04:00:00 UTC ]
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UK audiobook downloads up 17% last year, Publishers Association data shows

Audiobooks are fast becoming ‘a major route to market for consumers of books’, the trade body saysThe number of UK audiobook downloads increased by 17% between 2022 and 2023, according to new data from the Publishers Association (PA).Revenue from audiobooks rose 24% across the same period to... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2024-05-07 15:28:43 UTC ]
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Audible is testing a cheaper plan in Australia

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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Spotify Is Ready to Compete for Video Advertising

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[ AdWeek | 2024-05-01 21:11:08 UTC ]
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Spotify Audiobooks Draw Younger Listeners, Get Bump from TV Adaptations

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-04-19 04:00:00 UTC ]
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The Sound of C: On Giving a Voice to the Words of Others

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Ebook, Digital Audiobook Use Up 286% in K-12 Schools Since 2019; 20% since 2022

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Some Spotify plans are reportedly getting more expensive soon

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[ Engadget | 2024-04-03 14:30:13 UTC ]
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Spotify Expands Its Premium Audiobooks Offer: Canada, Ireland, New Zealand

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2024-04-02 20:34:05 UTC ]
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Spotify's subscriber audiobook credit is coming to Canada and other countries next week

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[ Engadget | 2024-04-02 18:24:44 UTC ]
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OpenAI says it can clone a voice from just 15 seconds of audio

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[ Engadget | 2024-03-29 19:03:56 UTC ]
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Storytel’s 2023 Report: The Sound of Sustainability

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2024-03-28 21:37:15 UTC ]
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Qualcomm says most Windows games will work on its latest Arm laptop chipset

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Dreamscape's Audiobook Program Expands Its Ambit

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How This Author Recorded His Audiobook—in a Mine Shaft 900 Feet Underground

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‘France Is Like Sleeping Beauty’: Bookwire’s ‘All About Audio’

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Brandon Sanderson Wins Concessions from Audible

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Bono's 'Surrender' Wins Audiobook of the Year at 2024 Audie Awards

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