People 5/22
AI Annals: PRH’s Book Boost
Bertelsmann commissioned a study from Enders Analysis and Arthur D. Little on various media industry uses of artificial intelligence so far. In publishing, the report touts Penguin Random House’s BookBoost, “a proprietary platform that leverages first-party data, automation, machine learning, and AI to fully automate the process for Facebook and Instagram advertising.” They note the tool “helps to create, execute, and test advertising campaigns at scale with a focus on driving incremental sales and marketing efficiencies. Results to date are very promising, with key metrics on par or above benchmarks with strong performance in driving ad clickers to retail.” The […]
Tattered Cover Sets June Auction
Bids to acquire the bankrupt Tattered Cover bookstores are due by end of day June 10, and if there are multiple bids an auction will be conducted on June 12, according to an order approved by the Bankruptcy Court. In a filing with the court, the store said they have received signed NDAs from eight interested potential bidders so far. They are hopeful that “various other parties who have expressed interest in participating in the sale” will also execute NDAs. Ever optimistic, they also tell the court, “Debtor’s management has also been discussing the sale process with the notable authors, […]
Seminary Co-op and 57th Street Books Unionize
Seminary Co-op and 57th Street Books announced that they have unionized. Management has voluntarily recognized the union. They write in the announcement, “The SCBU [Seminary Co-op Booksellers Union] is a branch of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). We share this exciting news in the spirit of joint commitment to these bookstores and the communities they serve. We look forward to continuing the work that sustains these invaluable institutions as we move forward together. See you in the stacks.”
Watch At Home: Buzz Editors and Authors Panel
In case you missed it, we had another terrific evening on Thursday with five breakout authors and their editors on our latest Buzz Books Editors and Authors Panel. Here are a sampling of attendees’ comments on the event: I really enjoyed the exchange between the editors and the authors Excellent presentation of thoughtful, intelligent fiction. I want to read these books! Thanks for an interesting and intriguing evening! What a wonderful and educational session! I want to read every book on this panel! All of these books are so intellectual and ambitious. I cannot […]