Time Warner Audio Goes Digital

by Shannon Maughan -- Publishers Weekly, 10/13/2005

The Time Warner Book Group has formed TWBG Digital Media Division. Maja Thomas, currently publisher of Time Warner AudioBooks, will head the new unit, adding the title of v-p, digital content strategy. Thomas will be the point person as TWBG formulates its position in the expanding world of digital publishing that could include any new e-book, audiobook or print-on-demand business as well as Internet downloads, podcasting, digital delivery to cellphones, PDAs and other currently evolving technology models. She will also be addressing issues of digital rights management and anti-piracy in any digital ventures. To accommodate these responsibilities, Thomas will relinquish her role as editor at large.

Fleshing out the new division, Neil De Young has recently joined TWBG as digital media manager and will be working with Thomas on all non-audio initiatives and strategies. De Young previously worked at Scholastic, where he developed that company's e-book program.

Time Warner AudioBooks will now be part of the Digital Media division and, as a result, the audiobook department has been restructured. Anthony Goff has been promoted to associate publisher of TWAB, where he will continue to direct sales and marketing efforts for the audio group. Karen Cera, currently creative director of TWAB, adds the role of digital audio director to her duties.