The Bookseller.com

1st December 2008

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Bertelsmann aims to tighten belt

22.05.08

Bertelsmann's decision to put a German printing executive at the helm of its Random House book-publishing unit underlines a cultural shift at Europe's largest media company, as it moves back to its earthier roots, is the Wall Street Journal's take on the decision to import Markus Dohle into Random House.

Dohle's appointment is a potentially transformative moment. "Any time you replace the c.e.o. of the country's largest consumer book publisher, it's a major event," says Laurence Kirshbaum, a New York literary agent. "It sounds like this is going to be a more tightly run ship, which could change the entire nature of Random House." It is unclear how quickly Dohle will move to make changes. "There will likely be some belt-tightening," says Jane Dystel, the owner of Dystel & Goderich Literary Management.

Wall Street Journal

Random House Bertelsmann Markus Dohle