The Random House that Peter Olson is leaving behind when he heads for the halls of academia is one in large measure that he created. Olson was Bertelsmann's lead negotiator in the deal that brought the publisher into the German conglomerate's fold and he oversaw the integration of Random into Bertelsmann's subsidiary Bantam Doubleday Dell. Although the merger wasn't always smooth, it did produce a publisher that has been profitable since its formation.

Still, while all sides insist the decision to leave was Olson's alone, Bertelsmann chairman Hartmut Ostrowski made it clear that the appointment of Markus Dohle is intended to inject new thinking into the publishing house. Ostrowski appeared confident that Dohle will find ways to grow Random in a slow-growth industry in much the same way he continued to expand Bertelsmann's Arvato group in the slow-growth printing industry.

Much of the groundwork for the expansion of Avrato was laid by Ostrowski himself when he led that unit. A key was to expand Arvato beyond traditional printing, into digital services, logistics and data management. In 2007, sales in the group rose 2.8%, to 4.9 billion euros (about $7.2 billion), with currency fluctuations and divestments offsetting organic growth of 4.7%. Ostrowski has set a goal of 4% organic growth for all Bertelsmann subsidiaries; at Random in 2007, organic sales fell 1.4%. Since the traditional book industry is growing slowly, Ostrowski said new channels must be found to distribute content to consumers. Although he has some ideas, the challenge to expand Random House “is Markus's job,” Ostrowski said.

Markus Dohle Résumé

1994: Graduated from University of Karlsruhe with degree in economics and industrial engineering; joins Bertelsmann as management assistant in distribution group
1998: Named CEO of Vereinigte Verlagsauslieferung, a leading German book distributor
2002: Promoted to president of Mohn Media, a major European printer
2006: Named CEO of Arvato Print and a member of the Arvato board
2008: Named chairman of Random House

Random House in the Olson Era

1998 July: Bertelsmann buys Random House; Peter Olson named chairman
1999 Jan.: Forms Canadian subsidiary
May: Sells distribution assets
July: Buys Listening Library
2000 Apr.: Forms Venture Capital Group
Apr.: Buys Stake in Xlibris
Oct.: Raises entry-level salary to $30,000
2001 Apr.: Olson assumes chairmanship of Random House worldwide; becomes first American Bertelsmann board member
July: Launches Random House Mondadori
Aug.: Buys Prima Communications
Aug.: Buys Golden Book assets
Aug.: Sues Rosetta Books over e-book rights
Dec.: Phyllis Grann named vice chairman
2002 July: Grann resigns as vice chair
Dec.: Settles with Rosetta
2003 Jan.: Random House Group merged with Ballantine; Gina Centrello named president; Ann Godoff fired
Jan.: Edward Volini named deputy chairman
Jan.: Random House Kodansha founded
Apr.: Re-enters distribution business
2004 Jan.: Random House Korea founded
2005 Nov.: Random House Films launched
2006 May: Buys Triumph Books
May: Sets target to print 30% of titles on recycled paper by 2010
Aug.: Buys Multnomah
Aug.: Buys out Korean partner
2007 Sept.: Olson named to oversee Direct Group
2008 Feb.: Buys Monacelli Press
May: Buys Watson-Guptill
May: Markus Dohle named Random chairman