Frankfurt Book Fair 2013: What is a publisher now?

The publishing industry is in the midst of a rapid, tech-fueled period of change, but what does that change mean for the future of the business? A report by PW

At this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair, an opening panel asked the question: What Is a Publisher Now?

“I think it is fair to say that about 5-10 years ago the publishing industry was well-defined: Retailers retailed, publishers published, distributors distributed, printers printed, and editors edited,” said moderator Karina Luke, executive director of the U.K.-based based Book Industry Communication (BIC), teeing up the question for the panel. “How does that compare to the publishers role and to the content industry of today?”