At the BolognaBookPlus Audio Forum 2025, languages and books from around the globe in their audio format will be debated and celebrated by leading international publishing figures through an exciting afternoon program that examines the issues and opportunities around this growth area for the industry. From copyright to the latest technology, from new players to new models, the world of audio publishing has never looked stronger.
Lance Fitzgerald, senior vice president, content and business development, PRH, said, “The Audio Forum is an integral part of the BolognaBookPlus programming. The Forum is an excellent way to hear about new audio trends and opportunities. I enjoyed being an active listener at last year’s Forum and look forward to participating this year and sharing ideas with colleagues from around the world.”
Laure Saget, MD Audiolib, Hachette, added, “For a French audiobook publisher, having the opportunity to meet and discuss in one day with all our partners around the world in the Audiobook ecosystem is a fantastic opportunity! Knowing that we will have this international “rendez-vous” every year in Bologna’s Audio Forum to share ideas, insight and practices makes it a calendar cornerstone for anyone working in audiobooks.”
Jacks Thomas, guest director, BolognaBookPlus said, “The world of audio publishing is laid out for everyone to engage with in Bologna this year! Our thanks to Nathan Hull, Beat Technology, all our speakers, and sponsors, Arabookverse, Book Wire, Pozotron, and Zebrulation.”
AUDIO FORUM, WEDNESDAY, 2 APRIL 2025
Introduction
Jack Thomas, Guest Director, BolognaBookPlus
Nathan Hull, Chief Strategy Officer, Beat Technology (Norway)
In Conversation with …
Kelly Garner, Founder & CEO, TreeFort Media (USA)
Nathan Hull, Chief Strategy Officer, Beat Technology (Norway)
Serialized Content in Audiobooks, Books and Podcasts
Tina Jürgens, co-CEO, Zebralution (Germany)
Beyond the Basic Audiobook
Lance Fitzgerald, Senior Vice President, Content and Business Development, PRH (US)
Ann Scantlebury, Publisher, Pottermore (UK)
Søren Brinch Vestergaard, Audio publisher, Politiken (DK)
Moderator: Nathan Hull, Chief Strategy Officer, Beat Technology (Norway)
Audio Rights: A New Frontier
Colin Hauer, CEO, Hörbuch Hamburg (Germany)
Sonia Draga, CEO, Draga (Poland)
Heather Alexander, Audible (USA)
Moderator, Ed Nawotka, Senior International and Bookselling Editor, Publishers Weekly (US)
420 million+ speakers – the Arabic opportunity
Ahmed Riwehel, co-founder, Arabookverse (Egypt)
AI’s role in audio
Laure Saget, MD Audiolib, Hachette (France)
Ani Attamian, Founder, LEMA Collective (UK)
Hugo Rayne, General Manager Europe, ElevenLabs (UK)
Moderator, Jon Watt, Head of Commercial and Audio, Bonnier Books (UK)
Where Next: New Players, Models and How to Grow Markets
Mariana Feged, GM Spanish Markets, France & EMEA, Bookwire (Spain)
Finding new readers; the Power of Partnerships
Clara Ferrari, Chief Content Officer, YouScribe (France)
Miriam Spinnato, Digital Sales Trade Manager, Mondadori (Italy)
Fabio Uehera, AYA Books (Brazil)
Moderator: Emma House, Oreham Group (UK)
