Random House CEO said to be leaving: Possible successor seems open-minded toward e-books
Chief of Random House to step down—are pirate booksites to blame? reads a Bookyards headline. Actually, as I see it, it was a mix of factors, not just just slow growth but also CEO Peter Olson’s declining health. I doubt that Internet bootlegging counted in the grand scheme of things.
That said, Random House does need to consider new business models—for example, use of innovation to grow library sales. Even Random can’t do this alone. Librarians and publishers should spend less time fighting over copyright-related matters and more time lobbying for new funding mechanisms. Remember, library e-books are the best of both worlds—free to patrons (reducing the piracy risk) but a revenue stream for creators. No, I’m not saying library sales are a panacea; here’s to retail growth, too! But I think library revenue could be much bigger than now, thanks to the possibilities of e-books.
Olson’s rumored successor: Gail Rebuck of Random House UK (photo).
The Bookseller on her ‘tude toward E: Rebuck warns that publishers should take e-books seriously but be vigilant on copyright matters to protect themselves and writers. “However, she said that ultimately it did not matter if, in 2050, a writer is read in a traditional paperback or a hand-held device. ‘As a publisher, I am happy to supply either to customers, and the essence of what I am selling will be the same, whatever the technology transmitting it. I think there is an irreducible quality to reading that means the book will never die.’” Let’s just hope she’ll be open to backing off from traditional DRM as well as to ePUB—both would make it easier for legitimate customers to enjoy e-books.
Related: PW item and Google news round-up on Olson’s expected departure from Random.
(Thanks, Tamas.)
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