Contact Information: Contacts: David Burleigh OverDrive, Inc. 216-573-6886 x218
Laurence J. Kirshbaum Joins OverDrive Board of Directors
Former Time Warner Book Group CEO Brings Insights to Digital Media Service Provider
| Source: OverDrive
CLEVELAND, OH--(Marketwire - December 19, 2007) - Publishers Weekly's 2005 Publisher of the
Year and former chairman and CEO of Time Warner Book Group, Laurence J.
Kirshbaum, has joined the OverDrive (www.overdrive.com) board of directors.
Kirshbaum, who recently founded LJK Literary Management, brings four
decades of publishing industry experience to OverDrive, a company that
powers download audiobook, eBook, music and video catalogs at public
libraries in New York, Boston, Toronto, Singapore, and thousands of other
locations worldwide. OverDrive also provides digital download
infrastructure for publishers like HarperCollins and Harlequin, and is a
strategic partner with Microsoft Corporation, Adobe Systems, and other
leading tech firms.
"During my career, I've seen the publishing industry evolve with the
adoption of new book formats, business models, and sales channels," said
Kirshbaum. "Today, eBooks, audio books, and digital media markets are
exploding, and OverDrive is uniquely positioned as a global leader in the
value-added distribution of digital books and other content."
Kirshbaum's renowned career is highlighted by building an international
publishing powerhouse at Time Warner Book Group (now Hachette Book Group
USA). There, he worked with hundreds of best-selling authors including
business leaders such as Jack Welch, Sandy Weill, and Michael Eisner;
leading non-fiction writers like Malcolm Gladwell, author of "The Tipping
Point" and "Blink"; literary success stories like Elizabeth Kostova and
Alice Sebold; and popular commercial writers including Nicholas Sparks,
James Patterson, David Baldacci and Nelson DeMille.
"As OverDrive enters new markets, offers new formats and develops new
business models, Mr. Kirshbaum's hands-on experience in global publishing
will be an indispensible asset," Steve Potash, president and CEO of
OverDrive, Inc. "We look forward to working with him at this exciting time
for publishing."
Kirshbaum has been involved in publishing for nearly 40 years -- as an
author, publisher and agent. He worked in the Random House marketing
department until 1974 when he joined Warner Books as vice-president of
marketing. He remained at Warner Books, which became Time Warner Book
Group, for over 30 years, spending his last 10 years as the company's
chairman and CEO. He is currently the chairman of LJK Literary Management.
He also serves on the board of Baker & Taylor, a leading distributor of
books and other media to libraries, bookstores, and consumers.
About OverDrive, Inc.
OverDrive is a global leader in providing world-class technology and
infrastructure for downloading premium digital eBooks, audiobooks, music
and video. Overdrives provides secure management, protection and download
services for hundreds of publishers and institutions (rights holders) and
provides digital media to more than 7,500 libraries, schools and retailers
US and worldwide, serving millions of end users. Founded in 1986, OverDrive
is based in Cleveland, OH. www.OverDrive.com