Agenda

15 h
Videl Bar-Kar (Vice President Audio Bookwire): Moderation
Videl Bar-Kar has over 20 years media industry experience in both corporate and start up environments. He has worked in publishing for over a decade, first as Director of the Ways With Words literary festival, then as the first Audio Publisher for Penguin Random House, where he led an award winning team across editorial, production and marketing to create the UK’s leading audiobook publisher. As Vice President Audio for Bookwire, Videl leads the international expansion of the company’s rapidly growing audio business, from production through distribution of audiobooks and the development of flexible, end-to-end solutions for publishers across all markets.
How licensing book content for AI models and companies can work
AI companies have used copyrighted content to develop their applications without permission, but an increasing number is seeking to avoid illegal data sets and is interested in fair, legally compliant licensing agreements. This is not only a chance for publishers to tap into new sales potential, but also to protect their titles in the most effective way. In this session, we show you how Bookwire is supporting publishers with licensing their content, what to look out for and how the market is developing.

15.10 h
Eric Bartoletti (Head of Business Development, Bookwire)

Nicolas Bräuer (General Counsel, Bookwire)
Eric Bartoletti has been Head of Business Development at Bookwire since 2018, where he develops new business models and business areas. Together, they are responsible for AI activities at Bookwire and promote transparent exchange between AI companies and the book industry in order to find fair conditions for sustainable cooperation.
Nicolas Bräuer has been general counsel and data protection officer at Bookwire since 2023. Previously, he worked as a copyright consultant at the digital association Bitkom in Berlin.
How AI will open up new marketing opportunities and automation for book publishers
Nadim will speak about the ways in which publishers can employ AI to extend the reach of authors and to augment their marketing, as well as how authors can enjoy collaborative creativity with AI. This will be placed within the broader context of how AI is affecting creativity and the wider impact of the technology on society and life in general.

15.40 h
Nadim Sadek (Founder & CEO, Shimmr AI)
Nadim Sadek is the Founder & CEO of Shimmr AI, an autonomous advertising business that generates and deploys self-optimising campaigns, to sell books. A published author, with ‘Shimmer, don’t Shake – how publishing can embrace AI’ and a forthcoming book on ‘How Creativity can Embrace AI’, he writes a column for The Bookseller. Nadim delivers thought-leadership on AI in talks around the world. Trained as a psychologist, he founded and grew global market research firms, whiskey, food and music businesses on an island off the west coast of Ireland, and an AI brand-management platform. Nadim is a Board Advisor to BookBrunch and Sinai AI. He manages a Warner-signed artist and presents motorcycle reviews on Boss Bikes Club Youtube channel
How artificially generated voices can already be used effectively today and what we can expect in the future

16.10 h
Dustin Blank (elevenlabs)
At ElevenLabs, I lead partnerships across our ecosystem—with a emphasis on voices, content and impact-driven programs. With over 15 years of experience in corporate media, fintech, and creator economy startups, I bring a perspective that spans traditional media and fast-moving startups. My focus is building cross-functional teams and long-term partnerships with platforms, creators, and brands. I’ve led initiatives across ad tech, digital distribution, content licensing, and monetization. Prior to ElevenLabs, I led partnerships and teams at NBCU, MGM, and Disney.
How AI-generated metadata can successfully sell books
16.40 h
tba
How AI enables the multiple publishing of books and audiobooks in different language markets
AI transforms publishing: With intelligent translation workflows and scalable voice technologies, books and audiobooks can be released in multiple languages faster and more affordably. This talk shows how AI and human expertise combine to create high-quality multilingual content that is efficient, secure and reader centric.

17.10 h
Alexander Franck (Co-Founder & Co-CEO goaudio)
Dr. Alexander Franck is a co-founder and co-CEO of goaudio.ai, an AI-powered platform for scalable audio productions for news and book publishers. He previously co-headed the German Amazon Music team and collaborated amongst other units with Audible, Amazon Books, Twitch and Prime Video, equipping him with deep expertise in digital media product strategy and distribution.
How AI is revolutionising the pricing of products in other industries
Discover how machine learning and AI are transforming the way businesses price their products across diverse sectors. From dynamic, real-time adjustments to personalized, consumer-centric strategies, this talk explores the algorithms reshaping revenue and competitiveness. Learn real-world case studies—from retail and travel—and uncover practical insights for leveraging machine learning and AI to optimize pricing models and profitability.

17.40 h
Sebastian Heinz (Founder & CEO Statworx)
Sebastian is a leading expert in Data & AI with over a decade of experience in the industry. He is the founder and CEO of statworx, one of the top-tier Data & AI consultancies in the DACH region, as well as the AI Hub Frankfurt, the leading AI ecosystem in the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region. Besides his passion for Data & AI, Sebastian loves to cook as an ambitious hobby chef while enjoying a glass of excellent wine.
16.10 h
End of Event

Our mission
Join us at “All About AI”, a forward-thinking event designed for publishing professionals who want to harness the full potential of artificial intelligence in their business. Discover how AI is already transforming key areas of publishing – from licensing and marketing to international expansion and pricing innovation.
Learn how to license book content for training AI models and gain insights into emerging monetization strategies. Explore how AI-powered marketing and automation tools are creating new promotional opportunities. Get hands-on knowledge about the latest developments in synthetic voices and what’s next for AI narration. See how AI-generated metadata can boost book discoverability and sales, and how multilingual publishing with AI can open doors to new markets. Plus, gain a glimpse into how AI is revolutionizing pricing strategies in other industries – and what that means for books.
This event is your opportunity to stay ahead of the curve, make informed decisions, and future-proof your publishing strategy with practical, scalable solutions.
The conferences will kick off on Tuesday, September 9th, at 3 PM (CET) / 9 AM (ET).
Agenda

3 PM (CET) / 9 AM (ET)
Videl Bar-Kar
(Vice President Audio Bookwire):
Moderation
Videl Bar-Kar has over 20 years media industry experience in both corporate and start up environments. He has worked in publishing for over a decade, first as Director of the Ways With Words literary festival, then as the first Audio Publisher for Penguin Random House, where he led an award winning team across editorial, production and marketing to create the UK’s leading audiobook publisher. As Vice President Audio for Bookwire, Videl leads the international expansion of the company’s rapidly growing audio business, from production through distribution of audiobooks and the development of flexible, end-to-end solutions for publishers across all markets.
How licensing book content for AI models and companies can work
AI companies have used copyrighted content to develop their applications without permission, but an increasing number is seeking to avoid illegal data sets and is interested in fair, legally compliant licensing agreements. This is not only a chance for publishers to tap into new sales potential, but also to protect their titles in the most effective way. In this session, we show you how Bookwire is supporting publishers with licensing their content, what to look out for and how the market is developing.


3.10 PM (CET) / 9.10 AM (ET)
Eric Bartoletti (Head of Business Development, Bookwire)
Nicolas Bräuer
(General Counsel, Bookwire)
Eric Bartoletti has been Head of Business Development at Bookwire since 2018, where he develops new business models and business areas. Together, they are responsible for AI activities at Bookwire and promote transparent exchange between AI companies and the book industry in order to find fair conditions for sustainable cooperation.
Nicolas Bräuer has been general counsel and data protection officer at Bookwire since 2023. Previously, he worked as a copyright consultant at the digital association Bitkom in Berlin.
How AI will open up new marketing opportunities and automation for book publishers
Nadim will speak about the ways in which publishers can employ AI to extend the reach of authors and to augment their marketing, as well as how authors can enjoy collaborative creativity with AI. This will be placed within the broader context of how AI is affecting creativity and the wider impact of the technology on society and life in general.

3.40 PM (CET) / 9.40 AM (ET)
Nadim Sadek
(Founder & CEO, Shimmr AI)
Nadim Sadek is the Founder & CEO of Shimmr AI, an autonomous advertising business that generates and deploys self-optimising campaigns, to sell books. A published author, with ‘Shimmer, don’t Shake – how publishing can embrace AI’ and a forthcoming book on ‘How Creativity can Embrace AI’, he writes a column for The Bookseller. Nadim delivers thought-leadership on AI in talks around the world. Trained as a psychologist, he founded and grew global market research firms, whiskey, food and music businesses on an island off the west coast of Ireland, and an AI brand-management platform. Nadim is a Board Advisor to BookBrunch and Sinai AI. He manages a Warner-signed artist and presents motorcycle reviews on Boss Bikes Club Youtube channel
How artificially generated voices can already be used effectively today and what we can expect in the future
In a world saturated with content, voice is emerging as a powerful tool to captivate, personalize, and differentiate. This panel explores how voice technology can add depth, emotion, and identity to storytelling—whether you're representing iconic figures, crafting compelling narratives with multiple characters, or simply bringing your own message to life in a more resonant way.

4.10 PM (CET) / 10.10 AM (ET)
Dustin Blank
(Head of Partnerships, elevenlabs)
Dustin Blank leads partnerships at ElevenLabs, focusing on voice, content, and impact-driven programs across the ecosystem. With over 15 years of experience in corporate media at companies like Disney, MGM, and NBCUniversal, Dustin has built and led cross-functional teams at the intersection of technology and storytelling. His work spans ad tech, digital distribution, content licensing, and monetization—always with an eye toward creating meaningful, scalable partnerships with platforms, creators, and brands.
Up close: how publishers are using AI right now
Much of what we hear about AI in publishing is either alarming or abstract. But beyond the headlines, publishers are already using AI in practical ways and seeing real benefits. This session shares insights gained from close collaboration with publishers as they bring AI into editorial, production, marketing, and sales. Discover where AI is making a difference today, how teams are redefining their workflows, and what’s next for AI in publishing.
.jpg)
4.40 PM (CET) / 10.40 AM (ET)
Hannah Johnson
(Chief Customer Officer, Veristage)
As Chief Customer Officer at Veristage, Hannah helps publishers effectively work with Veristage's AI tools and integrate this evolving technology into their operations. She previously served as publisher of Publishing Perspectives, a leading international book trade magazine, and worked with the Frankfurt Book Fair to manage partnerships and event initiatives with publishing organizations worldwide.
How AI enables the multiple publishing of books and audiobooks in different language markets
AI transforms publishing: With intelligent translation workflows and scalable voice technologies, books and audiobooks can be released in multiple languages faster and more affordably. This talk shows how AI and human expertise combine to create high-quality multilingual content that is efficient, secure and reader centric.

5.10 PM (CET) / 11.10 AM (ET)
Alexander Franck
(Co-Founder & Co-CEO goaudio)
Dr. Alexander Franck is a co-founder and co-CEO of goaudio.ai, an AI-powered platform for scalable audio productions for news and book publishers. He previously co-headed the German Amazon Music team and collaborated amongst other units with Audible, Amazon Books, Twitch and Prime Video, equipping him with deep expertise in digital media product strategy and distribution.
How AI is revolutionising the pricing of products in other industries
Discover how machine learning and AI are transforming the way businesses price their products across diverse sectors. From dynamic, real-time adjustments to personalized, consumer-centric strategies, this talk explores the algorithms reshaping revenue and competitiveness. Learn real-world case studies—from retail and travel—and uncover practical insights for leveraging machine learning and AI to optimize pricing models and profitability.

5.40 PM (CET) / 11.40 AM (ET)
Sebastian Heinz
(Founder & CEO Statworx)
Sebastian is a leading expert in Data & AI with over a decade of experience in the industry. He is the founder and CEO of statworx, one of the top-tier Data & AI consultancies in the DACH region, as well as the AI Hub Frankfurt, the leading AI ecosystem in the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region. Besides his passion for Data & AI, Sebastian loves to cook as an ambitious hobby chef while enjoying a glass of excellent wine.
6.20 PM (CET) / 12.20 PM (ET)
End of Event
Stats 2025
27 February 2020
24 June 2020
20 May 2021
14 September 2021
29 March 2022
13 September 2023
07 March 2023
19 September 2024
12 February 2025
5703
Penguin Random House, Wondery,
Blinkist, Grupo Planeta, Canongate Books,
Red Bull Media House, BBC Studios, HarperCollins, Universal Music GmbH, Nextory, Audio Publishers Association,
Frankfurter Buchmesse, SAGA Egmont International, Santillana, Storytel, BookBeat, Edel Germany, Springer Nature, Deezer, Amazon.com, Sony Music,
Bayard Editions, Grupo Planeta,
Hodder & Stoughton, Audible, Scribd, Bloomsbury, Faber and Faber, Google, Singel Uitgeverijen, Thames & Hudson, Princeton University Press, Yale University Press, BolognaFiere, Gyldendal, Bonnier Books , Editions de la Martinière,
Ingram Content Group, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Rakuten Kobo, Apple, Pearson, The Walt Disney Company, Nielsen...
61
About us
Bookwire GmbH was founded in Frankfurt in 2010 as a service provider for publisher distribution of eBooks and digital content. It has since become one of the leading international businesses in digital publishing technology. Bookwire currently employs 150 people in Germany, the UK, Spain, France, Brazil, Mexico and the USA, who take care of more than 2,500 publishers in the fields of eBooks, audiobooks, podcasts and Print-on-Demand. The pioneering software “Bookwire OS – One Solution”, launched in 2019, has delivered, analyzed and marketed around 800,000 eBooks and 200,000 audiobooks in all relevant distribution channels.