In a move set to shake up the indie publishing space, Bowker has partnered with John Marshall Media (JMM)—the Grammy-winning powerhouse behind thousands of top-tier audiobooks—to deliver premium audio production and distribution services to publishers of all sizes, including the fast-growing self-publishing community.

With over 30 years of experience producing audio for the Big 5 publishers, JMM is now bringing its expertise to the broader publishing market via this partnership—offering studio-quality recording, global distribution, and integrated marketing under one roof.

“JMM brings decades of experience producing audiobooks for the largest U.S. publishers,” said Beat Barblan, General Manager at Bowker. “We’re excited to now offer their world-class services to self-publishers and smaller houses worldwide.”

Audiobooks for All, Not Just the Big Five

This collaboration is more than just a service upgrade. It reflects a growing trend: audiobooks are booming, and independent authors want in.

While the traditional audiobook pipeline has long been dominated by major publishers, Bowker and JMM are making the medium far more accessible. From professional narration to platform-specific formatting, this full-service offering lets authors focus on their content—while the production experts handle everything else.

“We’ve spent 30 years making great audiobooks for the Big 5. Now we’re helping smaller publishers and authors do the same,” said Kevin Stillwell, Head of Indie Production & Distribution at JMM.

And Bowker’s reach into the self-publishing ecosystem gives JMM access to a massive, often underserved market—one hungry for professional tools and support.

What the Partnership Delivers

✔ Production
JMM works with hundreds of elite narrators and voice actors. Whether it's single voice or full-cast production, author-narrated or professional voiceover, JMM delivers studio-grade recordings engineered to meet the exact specs of retail platforms worldwide.

✔ Distribution
JMM’s full-service platform reaches 106 retail, library, and school outlets, pushing audiobooks to millions of listeners globally. One contract, one pipeline, complete control.

✔ Marketing
Via a network of publisher-centric marketing experts, JMM offers strategic and creative services—from advertising and outreach to campaign planning and optimization—to ensure audiobooks don’t just get made, but get heard.

Why This Matters

Audiobooks are the fastest-growing segment of publishing, but producing a quality title remains a challenge for independents. With this partnership, Bowker and JMM are flattening the learning curve and opening the gates to high-quality audio production, regardless of publisher size.

For Bowker customers, it’s a direct line to a service once reserved for the industry's elite. For JMM, it’s a strategic extension into a broader market.

“The audiobook medium represents a tremendous opportunity for Bowker customers,” Barblan added. And with consumer demand showing no signs of slowing down, that opportunity could prove to be a game-changer.

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