The inaugural ‘Sharjah NYU SPS Executive Publishing Program’ is taking place for the first time outside the United States, providing professionals in the publishing sector with valuable insights into global market dynamics. This event, hosted by the Sharjah Book Authority in collaboration with the NYU School of Professional Studies, is being held at the American University of Sharjah and brings together a diverse group of publishing leaders from 17 nations.

The program’s agenda includes discussions on the significance of translation in extending publishing reach, as well as future trends, digital marketing, and the role of artificial intelligence in the industry. A notable session, “Global Market Trends and How to Craft a Global Strategy,” was led by Chantal Restivo-Alessi, Chief Digital Officer and CEO of International Foreign Language at HarperCollins Publishers. She stressed the need for publishers to adapt to cultural differences and highlighted that HarperCollins’ expansion into foreign languages involved translating US and UK content into over 16 languages.

Restivo-Alessi pointed out that publishing is now a two-way street, involving not only the export of English content but also the introduction of international works into English. She emphasized the transformative impact of digital technology on the publishing industry and noted that artificial intelligence presents both challenges and opportunities. Furthermore, her session on “Global Publishing, Consumer Trends, and Sources for Editorial Content” revealed that audiobooks now account for 10% of the US market, driven by consumer preferences for multitasking.

In addition, Restivo-Alessi mentioned that while physical books are regarded as affordable luxuries, 83% of consumers believe prices are too high, leading 9% to delay purchases. She highlighted the growth of subscription models in digital formats and noted the increasing popularity of graphic novels and manga, which have benefitted from retail support and synergy with media.

Another key session was presented by Samantha Schnee, Founding Editor of Words Without Borders, who discussed the vital role of translators in fostering cultural exchanges in literature. Naveen Kishore, Founder of Seagull Books, along with Chief Editor/Senior Designer Sunandini Banerjee, shared strategies for harmonizing acquisitions, translation, and design to create books with global appeal.

Participants also explored case studies on expansion opportunities with Christie Henry, Director of Princeton University Press, who collaborated with Inés ter Horst, Director of Intellectual Property, to highlight the importance of intellectual property rights in global publishing. Carlo Carrenho, Publishing Consultant at Alpine Global Collective, spoke about preparations for the growing audio market, while Kelly Gallagher, Vice President of Content Acquisition at Ingram Content Group, discussed recent changes in international print sales.