The Bookseller.com

1st December 2008

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Dohle to supply 'new impetus' at RH

20.05.08 Benedicte Page

Markus Dohle's remit as the new chief at Random House will be to push growth through entrepreneurial ventures, Bertelsmann c.e.o. Hartmut Ostrowski said today (20th May). Ostrowski stated that the appointment of Dohle as the publisher's new chairman and c.e.o. was a sign that Bertelsmann was "serious about our new growth strategy".

He described Dohle as "one of the outstanding young entrepreneurs who will shape the future of Bertelsmann," and said that the German media giant wanted to open up new prospects for Random House and its employees. "As successful as Random House already is, the book business urgently needs new impetus for the future, to be able to grow again in view of challenges such as technological advances," he said. He added that Dohle would grant his publishers "the same independence and publishing freedom as his predecessors did".

"He is also a big reader, which gives him a rapport with his new book-publishing colleagues," added Ostrowski.

Dohle joined Bertelsmann in 1994, after a degree in economics and industrial engineering at the university of Karlsruhe. In 2004 he became head of Vereinigte Verlagsauslieferung (VVA) and in 2002 he moved into the printing sector and became c.e.o. of the Mohn Media group, where he has been responsible for Arvato Print's worldwide operations, overseeing 11,500 employees across seven countries.

He is said to have proven experience in developing new revenue streams in mature markets, and to be intent on bringing new impetus into book publishing by lengthening the value chain. In a statement today, Dohle said his goal for Random House was "for us to join together in identifying new growth opportunities" and "tap additional potential which we will develop from our core business." Dohle begins his role at Random House on the 1st June.

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