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Karp to discuss S&S' future after recent buyout at LBF 2024
Simon & Schuster US president and c.e.o. Jonathan Karp will speak at the 2024 London Book Fair about the publisher’s future following its recent buyout, with other headliners including Nicola Solomon and Dan Conway, as AI dominates the timetable of discussions.
Other speakers will include Amanda D’Acierno, president and publisher of PRH Audio Publishing Group and Karine Gonçalves Pansa, president of the International Publishers Association (IPA) with headlining authors such as American author Taylor Jenkins Reid and Joseph Coelho, poet and children’ writer, as well as Richard Osman. The fair will run from 12th to 14th March at London’s Olympia, with other speakers confirmed in coming weeks.
The main stage line-up will focus on key industry trends and global perspectives (Day One), reshaping the publishing industry through creative content and innovation (Day Two) and the future of reading and emerging writing mediums (Day Three).
Karp’s session will be the opening keynote for Day One exploring the future prospects of S&S US following its recent buyout by private equity firm KKR, “discussing the potential impact of decoupling from a large media enterprise and how it may shape the company’s trajectory”, organisers said.
There are several AI-themed sessions including: ‘Copyright and AI: A Global Discussion of Machines Humans, and the Law’ on Day One, which will explore the implications of AI for copyright law and policy, featuring insights from Solomon, Society of Authors c.e.o., and Sylvie Forbin, deputy director general at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) among others.
Conway will speak on Day Two’s session, "Transforming the Future of the Written Word with AI", with other guests including Bill Thompson, principal research engineer at the BBC and Dr Kate Devlin, academic in Digital Humanities, King’s College London.
On Day Three, delegates can hear about "The Future of Audio in Publishing: Global Trends and the Impact of AI". This will explore the rise of audio content consumption, the potential for international market growth, and strategies for capitalising on global audio publishing opportunities, with speakers including D’Acierno, Michele Cobb, executive director of the Audio Publishers Association and Helena Gustafsson, chief content strategy officer at Storytel.
Karp said: “I’m excited to be attending and speaking at the London Book Fair 2024. Through the years, the LBF has proven to be a vital gathering for the international publishing community, and I look forward to joining with industry colleagues from around the world for a few days of productive and meaningful exchange.”
Gareth Rapley, LBF director, said: “We are thrilled to have such a wide range of heavyweight panellists, spanning international publishers, bestselling authors, AI experts, media executives and charity c.e.o.s. Visitors to The London Book Fair 2024 can expect engaging debates and eye-opening conversations on the key themes that affect the publishing world.”
Further details about the line-up will be revealed here while registration opens on Wednesday (22nd November).
