The failure of a recent bid to merge two large publishing companies shines a light on a central issue of cultural powerDespite a rise in self-publishing, commercial publishers are still the main gatekeepers of what arrives on our bookshelves. As such, they have great cultural and – if a book takes off – economic power. A case decided in a US court this week provided an insight into just how much of that power is now concentrated in a small handful of multinational companies.At issue was a planned merger of Simon & Schuster with Penguin Random House (PRH) – two of the so-called big five, which between them control 90% of the US publishing market, a fact not always obvious to the casual observer, as books usually carry on their spines the names of imprints, or subdivisions, of the parent company. PRH, itself the result of a mega-merger in 2013, runs about 300 imprints. Given the reach of these companies – PRH is active in more than 20 countries – the Department of Justice’s successful argument that the planned $2.2bn deal would “exert outsized influence over which books are published in the United States and how much authors are paid for their work” applies globally. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2022-11-04 18:25:28 UTC ]
After beginning 2019 with 10 companies, the Publishers Weekly Stock Index was down to only eight members at the close of the year, losing Barnes & Noble and Simon & Schuster. The remaining companies saw their combined stock price decline by 9%. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-01-03 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Penguin Random House has confirmed the death of Sonny Mehta, editor in chief of Knopf and chairman of the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Mehta died yesterday (30th December) in Manhattan at the age of 77, from complications from pneumonia. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-12-30 16:18:01 UTC ]
More news stories like this
This week on The Maris Review, Susan Orlean joins Maris Kreizman to discuss her latest book, The Library Book, now available in paperback from Simon & Schuster. On how fire has shaped California: Maris Kreizman: A chilling thing that I realized when we first talked about the book is that you... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2019-12-19 09:48:21 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Pearson is selling its remaining 25% stake in Penguin Random House to Bertelsmann, as its c.e.o. John Fallon prepares to retire next year. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-12-18 01:20:40 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Malorie Blackman sold her life story to them, other hot authors are lining up. What makes Stormzy’s imprint so different?In a glass-walled meeting room on the fifth floor of Penguin Random House headquarters in Pimlico, Theophina Gabriel is talking about her love of reading while laughing at her... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2019-12-16 08:00:15 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Penguin Random House CEO Markus Dohle’s annual letter to company employees emphasized the acquisitions the publisher has made across the publishing world this year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-12-12 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Penguin Random House c.e.o. Markus Dohle has hailed the company's acquisitions and investments and called on the firm to leverage its "unique role in the world as a force for good", in a year end letter to staff. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-12-12 04:25:11 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Paul Bogaards, longtime head of publicity at Knopf and Pantheon, has been promoted to deputy publisher of the two Penguin Random House imprints. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-12-09 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Penguin Random House has a new UK-built D2C holiday gift selector, and ups its donation to longtime charity partner First Book. The post PRH Uses UK Designer for Holiday Campaign, Adds 300,000 Books to Donation appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-12-05 08:30:52 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Penguin Random House US will donate up to 300,000 more children’s books to First Book, the literacy charity, on behalf of former US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-12-04 05:39:25 UTC ]
More news stories like this
As part of a series of promotions at WaterBrook and Multnomah, Laura Barker has been named executive v-p and publisher of the Penguin Random House imprints, effective immediately. She was previously v-p, editor-in-chief. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-12-04 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Penguin Random House UK has moved to a centralised rights team for the adult trade business, boosting the team by two and announcing a number of senior promotions. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-12-03 19:45:37 UTC ]
More news stories like this
London based-agency Anyways Creative has partnered with Penguin Random House US to launch a ‘Books Make Us Better’ campaign in the New York subway, ahead of the festive trading season. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-12-02 05:17:04 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Penguin Random House has confirmed it will begin a staggered move to Embassy Gardens from April 2020. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-21 17:46:33 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Devin Maddox, formerly trade book publisher at B&H, has been promoted to v-p of book publishing. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-11-20 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
In the modern media environment, publishers need a formula for success that they can depend on—not just for today, but one that will allow them to adapt for the trends of tomorrow. That means embracing three key ingredients that every publisher needs to ensure future-readiness, regardless of... Continue reading at Folio Magazine
[ Folio Magazine | 2019-11-19 17:38:05 UTC ]
More news stories like this
With the cooperation of some 80 percent of Italy's publishing companies, the new Fondazione LIA program is establishing accessibility standards for books. The post Fondazione LIA Rolls Out Accessible Publishing Program for Italy appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-11-19 11:30:18 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Penguin Random House UK is recruiting for eight dedicated audio roles for the three studios which will be open in Embassy Gardens. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-17 18:51:12 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Penguin Random House has joined forces with Royal Military Academy Sandhurst to publish an "inspirational book of life lessons" this Christmas. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-13 12:52:30 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Worldwide revenues at Simon & Schuster have dipped by 9% to $217m for the third quarter of 2019, from $240m for the same period last year, parent firm CBS has revealed. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-12 05:24:03 UTC ]
More news stories like this