UK AI start-up DeepZen has partnered with Ingram Content Group to provide AI-generated text-to-speech audiobooks. DeepZen explains in their release that they have licensed voices from voice actors and narrators, “capturing all of the elements of the human voice, such as pacing and intonation, and a wide range of emotions that produce more realistic speech […]
Audio
Initiatives: Libro.fm for Business
Audiobook retailer Libro.fm has announced Libro.fm for Business, which allows companies to offer a “curated collection of audiobooks” to employees. In a release, Libro.fm said that they “work with companies to select audiobook options, including bookseller recommendations.” Businesses can offer gift memberships or specific audiobooks to employees, and, as with all Libro.fm downloads, up to […]
Finance: EQT Invests in Storytel
The fast-growing Swedish audiobook streaming service Storytel received a boost from big Swedish-based private equity and investment firm EQT’s Private Value. In a press release issued Tuesday, the company revealed that EQT recently acquired 6.6 million shares in Storytel, close to 10 percent of shares outstanding. EQT Public Value’s Joakim Rubin has been nominated as […]
Acquisitions: Saga Egmont Adds German Publisher
Digital publisher Saga Egmont has acquired German audiobook publisher Audiobuch Verlag, making them the largest audiobook publisher in Germany.
Imprints: RBmedia Rebrands Business Titles
RBmedia will publish their business audiobooks under the new brand, Ascent Audio. The line is the successor to their Gildan Media brand (which they acquired in 2017). All of their business titles produced in partnership with other publishers will be issued under the Ascent Audio name, with the recently acquired McGraw Hill Professional business titles […]
DOJ Nominee Kanter Has Been Aiding Authors Advocating for Fairness From Audible
Author Susan May, writing on behalf of Audiblegate, tells supporters by email that various legal moves are planned as part of authors’ continuing efforts for transparency and fairness in how Audible reports and records royalties. Notably, the group’s “legal team” includes Jonathan Kanter — recently nominated to run the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division — […]