The Metaverse: Exploring the Future of Books
Panel Christine Chong, Eric Bartoletti, Jo Lusby | Moderator: José Borghino
Virtual * | Online on AFCC Website | 4-Day Festival Pass OR Forum Pass
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Since the onset of the pandemic, the world has seen a gradual shift to the online sphere. From AR technology in books to venturing into the metaverse, we take a look at some of the initiatives that publishers are embarking on to future-proof their businesses.
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Christine Chong (Singapore)
The head of Tusitala Books, a digital storytelling studio that reimagines the future of reading where art meets tech, Christine previously worked in academic publishing and arts management. She has a MA in English Literature from the National University of Singapore, and a certificate in Editing from the Graham School at the University of Chicago and attended the Summer Publishing Institute at New York University. She is in the executive committee of the Singapore Book Publishers Association.
Eric Bartoletti (Germany)
After studying business administration, Eric worked as a business broker and investor relations manager for several years, before becoming a self-employed consultant for start-ups and international expansion strategies. In August 2018 he joined Bookwire as Head of Business Development, supporting the Bookwire management in strategic projects and developing new digital services for publishing clients together with his team. This includes audiobook production and podcast services, smart speaker skills, Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) projects as well as blockchain and NFT applications like www.creatokia.com.
Jo Lusby (Hong Kong)
Jo is the co-founder of Pixie B, an IP management and strategy agency specialising in publishing, film, and the creative sector in Asia. Specialists on the China market, Pixie B advises businesses, organisations, and individuals on commercial strategies, brand management, and market access. Clients include Harry Potter digital publisher Pottermore Publishing and US children’s franchise Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls, as well as BBC Studios, The Financial Times, Macmillan Publishers, Tatler Asia,and individual author agency services. Jo was formerly the CEO of Penguin Random House North Asia.
Moderator José Borghino (Australia/Switzerland)
José is Secretary General of the International Publishers Association (IPA). As IPA Policy Director, he organized the Prix Voltaire (IPA’s Freedom to Publish Prize), and managed the IPA’s activities in the educational publishing sector, including the Educational Publishers Forum. Before joining the IPA, José worked at the Australian Publishers Association, was Executive Director of the Australian Society of Authors, a lecturer in literary journalism and creative industries at the University of Sydney, and editor of the online news magazine NewMatilda.com. José held senior positions at the Literature Board of the Australia Council and was the founding editor of EDITIONSReview.
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