At Hörbuch Hamburg, the interplay between innovative technology and unique listening experiences is part of our DNA. I am therefore very happy that CONTENTshift is such a strong vehicle for combining both areas - and that I have the opportunity to enter into a direct exchange with the innovators of tomorrow as a member of the jury. Colin Hauer
With around 2,500 available titles, the renowned Hörbuch Hamburg Verlag Verlag – founded in 1999 and part of the Swedish Bonnier Group since 2006 Verlag – is one of Germany's leading and largest audio book publishers. In the imprints Hörbuch Hamburg, Osterwoldaudio and Silberfisch, the publishing house publishes over 400 physical as well as purely digital audio books and audio dramas every year. With high-quality productions that serve a variety of genres and age groups, Hörbuch Hamburg creates unique listening experiences and guarantees good entertainment.
Colin Hauer has been managing director of Hörbuch Hamburg Verlag since October 2022. There, he strengthens the publishing house's position at the top of the industry with innovative strategies and helps shape the changes in the audio market at the publishing house level. Previously, he built up the podcast and audiobook business at Universal Music as head of strategic projects. In addition to stations at Amazon, Bastei Lübbe, Bookwire and Sony Music, Hauer advised several publishers and streaming services on their digital strategy development. He has been active in the audio world for more than 15 years and has also worked as an independent entrepreneur, building up a successful music label and an AI-driven audiobook publisher, among other things, which he was responsible for as managing director until they were sold. Before graduating with an MBA from Mannheim Business School, he completed an M.A. in Creative Industries Management and a B.A. in Music Business.
Magia Ramm is an accomplished digital industry expert who has headed the Sales & Business Development department at Hörbuch Hamburg Verlag since May 2023. There, in addition to digital and physical sales tasks, she also manages business development topics beyond the sales area, leads cross-publishing projects and develops innovative concepts and strategies that promote the growth of the publishing house. Previously, she worked for Bastei Lübbe for nine years. Here she played a decisive role in shaping sales in the Bastei Entertainment digital department before becoming active in business development and corporate development. Before that, she held positions at Süddeutsche Zeitung, RTL and VOX.
The digital transformation offers us the chance to question the status quo and break new ground. Technology is the key to shaping change and making progress. As a member of the CONTENTshift jury, I am pleased to be able to act as a bridge builder and make innovative and strong solutions accessible to publishers. Magia Ramm