Principal
Biography
Seth D. Gershel began his career in sales at IBM Office Products, the division that introduced the personal computer. An irresistible invitation led him to the publishing industry where he worked in sales for Grosset & Dunlap, Sunset Books and Playboy Paperbacks. Mr. Gershel's successes quickly led to the Director of Sales position at Caedmon, an early producer of audio recordings.
Seizing the opportunity to develop the burgeoning audio category, Mr. Gershel joined Simon & Schuster as Director of Sales for the company's newly-formed audiobook division. He was successful in driving category awareness and sales within the then-infant industry, as well as building S&S Audio into the industry leader. He served as SVP and Publisher of Simon & Schuster Audio for a decade, where his top achievements included growing the division four-fold in revenues and profits, and the acquisition of the Pimsleur Language Program for which he spearheaded worldwide distribution deals and a successful co-publishing program in Japan.
Seth D. Gershel is recognized as a pioneer in audiobook publishing and distribution, having coined the phrase "audiobook" as the industry term. He co-founded the nonprofit industry trade group and was elected as the first president of the Audio Publishers Association. He held that position for six years followed by a extended term on its Board of Directors.
Since starting his consultancy, he has provided consulting services to publishing giants, independent businesses, digital media companies and authors. He credits his extensive background in sales for providing his deep knowledge of consumer markets and how to effectively reach them through the chain of content development, sales, distribution, licensing and marketing.
Mr. Gershel's passion for and insight into media,publishing, content development, digital distribution, international licensing and business improvement have made him a frequently quoted source in print, broadcast and Web-based media outlets including USA Today, Time, Publisher's Weekly, CNN, BBC, National Public Radio, etc. He has been a guest lecturer at New York University, Howard University and Thundebird.
Seth D. Gershel graduated Fairleigh Dickinson College with a B.S. in Marketing and Journalism, and earned his M.B.A. from Thunderbird, The American School of Global Management. He lives and works in New York City.
Seth D. Gershel began his career in sales at IBM Office Products, the division that introduced the personal computer. An irresistible invitation led him to the publishing industry where he worked in sales for Grosset & Dunlap, Sunset Books and Playboy Paperbacks. Mr. Gershel's successes quickly led to the Director of Sales position at Caedmon, an early producer of audio recordings.
Seizing the opportunity to develop the burgeoning audio category, Mr. Gershel joined Simon & Schuster as Director of Sales for the company's newly-formed audiobook division. He was successful in driving category awareness and sales within the then-infant industry, as well as building S&S Audio into the industry leader. He served as SVP and Publisher of Simon & Schuster Audio for a decade, where his top achievements included growing the division four-fold in revenues and profits, and the acquisition of the Pimsleur Language Program for which he spearheaded worldwide distribution deals and a successful co-publishing program in Japan.
Seth D. Gershel is recognized as a pioneer in audiobook publishing and distribution, having coined the phrase "audiobook" as the industry term. He co-founded the nonprofit industry trade group and was elected as the first president of the Audio Publishers Association. He held that position for six years followed by a extended term on its Board of Directors.
Since starting his consultancy, he has provided consulting services to publishing giants, independent businesses, digital media companies and authors. He credits his extensive background in sales for providing his deep knowledge of consumer markets and how to effectively reach them through the chain of content development, sales, distribution, licensing and marketing.
Mr. Gershel's passion for and insight into media,publishing, content development, digital distribution, international licensing and business improvement have made him a frequently quoted source in print, broadcast and Web-based media outlets including USA Today, Time, Publisher's Weekly, CNN, BBC, National Public Radio, etc. He has been a guest lecturer at New York University, Howard University and Thundebird.
Seth D. Gershel graduated Fairleigh Dickinson College with a B.S. in Marketing and Journalism, and earned his M.B.A. from Thunderbird, The American School of Global Management. He lives and works in New York City.