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Sean McManus
Head of Audiobooks at Spotify
Sean McManus is an experienced professional in the audiobook industry with a diverse career spanning multiple prominent companies. He has held significant roles in the audio publishing sector, including:
Career Highlights:
- Head of Audiobooks at Spotify (from February 2021, though he only stayed for eight months)1
- Currently serving as President and Publisher of Dreamscape Media23
- Previously worked at notable companies including:
- Audible (as U.K.-based senior director of business affairs and content strategy)
- HarperCollins
- Scholastic
Professional Background: McManus has been part of the audiobook industry for nearly 15 years.3 At Dreamscape Media, he has been driving significant growth, with the company experiencing a 39% revenue increase in 2023, reaching $30 million. He aims to expand audiobook offerings, planning to publish 1,000 new titles in 2024 and surpass 10,000 titles in their catalog.2
Industry Perspective: He sees significant potential in independent authors, noting that while 55% of e-book units are from indie authors, only 13% of audiobooks come from this segment. McManus believes major tech players like Spotify, Apple, and Google will play a crucial role in transforming audiobooks into a mass-market product.2
