Grant delivers keynote at UK independent publishing conference

Hardie Grant Books chief executive Sandy Grant has delivered the keynote address at this year’s Independent Publishers Guild spring conference in Oxfordshire, UK, reports the Bookseller. In his keynote, Grant spoke about the formation of Penguin Random House as a ‘potential game-changer’. ‘As small publishers, we shouldn’t underestimate how big a threat they could become,’ said Grant. ‘Penguin Random House is investing in specialist marketing, they are investing in social media, they’re investing in analytics, they’re investing in other roles too. We have to embrace that if we want to compete.’ Grant said that Hardie Grant’s strategy was to be more global, invest in digital technology and pursue non-traditional book buyers through new channels. He also said publishers need to do more to support their authors. ‘We need to be building their platforms, we need to be building their audiences, and we need to be building their connection with their audience,’ said Grant. The IPG conference is being held from 4-6 March. For more information visit the website.

Category: Conferences International news