Open Road Integrated Media, a digital publisher and multimedia content company, announced today that Jane Friedman, co-founder and CEO, will serve in a new role as Chairman of the Board and as Executive Publisher. Paul Slavin, the veteran media executive who joined Open Road in the fall of 2015, has been named CEO of the company.
Under Friedman’s leadership, Open Road has built an ebook catalogue of more than 10,000 titles from more than 2,000 authors, including backlists from legendary authors such as Pearl Buck, James Jones, Mary McCarthy, Iris Murdoch, William Styron, and Alice Walker. In addition to her expanded board activities, Friedman will also continue to help support the company’s efforts to acquire the best available ebooks.
Slavin will lead the company’s next phase beyond content—spearheading Open Road’s expanding focus on engaging and connecting with consumers while creating multiple new revenue streams through media and e-commerce.
“I’m so proud of what Open Road Integrated Media is—a company that publishes and markets stories which entertain and illuminate readers around the world,” Friedman said. “Open Road continues to deliver on its promise of breathing new life into classic and contemporary works. With the growing success of Early Bird Books and The Lineup brands in our portfolio, we are proving every day that content is king.”
“Jane Friedman is an industry legend, and it is a privilege to work with her. Jane and our team of editors, marketers, and producers have achieved so much over the past few years,” said Slavin. “I believe that we have the right strategies, practices, and creative energy to continue in this direction.”
“I know that Open Road’s authors, partners, and staff will work incredibly well with Paul,” Friedman said. “His experience in developing successful digital media companies, his business acumen, and his deep appreciation for media position him well to capitalize on the incredible growth that we’ve seen. And he’s someone who understands the value of our books and authors.”
Slavin, the former COO of Everyday Health, joined Open Road after 30 years of experience at the Walt Disney Company and ABC News. An award winning journalist, Slavin also has extensive experience in data-driven marketing solutions, and is known for leading efficient and impactful audience-development and content-generation teams. Using innovative and strategic approaches, Slavin has helped to realign companies, increase their profitability and sustain their growth.
Prior to founding Open Road Integrated Media in 2009, Friedman served as President and CEO of HarperCollins Publishers Worldwide, one of the world’s leading English-language publishers. Friedman came to HarperCollins from Random House, where she was Executive Vice President of Random House Inc., Executive Vice President of the Knopf Publishing Group, Publisher of Vintage Books, and Founder and President of Random House Audio Publishing.
