Straive’s Focus on Emerging Publishing Trends at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2024

Posted on : October 15th 2024

As Straive gears up for the Frankfurt Book Fair 2024, our experts are ready to discuss the dynamic changes reshaping the publishing and knowledge management landscape. From AI-driven innovations to accessibility mandates, sustainability efforts, and the growing demand for audiobooks and podcasts, the industry is witnessing an era of transformation. Here are some key trends that will dominate discussions at this year’s event:

AI – Impact and acceptance: Unlocking new possibilities across the value chain

The transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is undeniable. Nearly every conversation in the publishing world today touches on how AI is revolutionizing processes across the entire value chain—from content creation and curation to dissemination and marketing. At Straive, we are at the forefront of this revolution, leveraging AI to develop new products and open up revenue streams that were previously unimaginable.

AI is driving efficiencies in content generation, reducing time-to-market, and enabling hyper-personalization for consumers. One area where we foresee significant growth is in AI-assisted content discovery. AI is increasingly being used to help publishers tap into new audiences by tailoring content recommendations based on user preferences and behaviors. Beyond discovery, AI-powered analytics is helping identify trends and gaps, which can lead to the creation of new revenue streams through targeted licensing opportunities and customized soutions.

In academic publishing, for example, AI tools are helping journals manage their peer-review processes more efficiently, allowing for quicker decision-making without compromising on quality. The question moving forward is: how can the industry continue to innovate while maintaining its ethical and intellectual integrity?

Accessibility – Preparing for the European Accessibility Act

With the European Accessibility Act (EAA) coming into full force by June 2025, accessibility has moved from being a niche topic to a critical industry-wide concern. The Act mandates that digital content, including eBooks, websites, and other digital platforms, be accessible to people with disabilities and the aging population.

This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for publishers. While compliance with the EAA will require significant investment in redesigning digital platforms, it will also create a more inclusive environment for readers and expand the reach of digital content to millions of previously underserved users.

Straive’s solutions are aligned with these accessibility requirements. Our AI-based alt-text generation capabilities can help publishers automate the process of making images and other visual content accessible, while our knowledge management platforms ensure that all users, regardless of their abilities, can access, navigate, and engage with content seamlessly.

Balancing integrity and ethics while achieving faster decision cycles in academic publishing

The race to accelerate publishing workflows, particularly in academic publishing, has raised concerns about maintaining ethical standards and integrity. There is increasing pressure to accelerate decision-making and publication processes to keep pace with rapidly evolving knowledge, while also maintaining rigorous ethical checks to prevent plagiarism, falsified data, and conflicts of interest.

Straive recognizes the importance of striking the right balance between speed and integrity. Our peer review support services—powered by AI—are designed to streamline the review process while embedding robust ethical and scope checks at each stage. We aim to help publishers and academic institutions ensure that their publications maintain the highest standards of integrity without sacrificing efficiency.

 Sustainability and Climate Action

Sustainability is no longer just a corporate buzzword—it’s a fundamental pillar of business strategy across all industries, including publishing. As global concerns about climate action grow, the publishing industry is being called upon to adopt greener practices in its operations, from reducing paper waste to minimizing the carbon footprint of digital platforms.

Straive is committed to helping the industry meet its sustainability goals. Through our data-driven analytics, we assist publishers in identifying areas of waste in their supply chains and optimizing their operations for greater environmental efficiency. Additionally, our focus on digital-first content delivery systems reduces reliance on physical products, thereby decreasing overall resource consumption.

Our conversations at the Frankfurt Book Fair will explore how publishers can contribute to climate action while maintaining profitability and growth. With sustainability becoming a core consumer value, publishers that take meaningful steps toward environmental responsibility are likely to gain a competitive edge.

Video and Podcast Growth – The Audio-Visual Revolution

The demand for video and podcast content has surged in recent years, driven by consumer’s increasing preference for engaging, on-the-go media formats. With advances in mobile technology and streaming platforms, both video and podcast formats have become essential tools for knowledge dissemination and content consumption.

This shift presents publishers with exciting opportunities to diversify their offerings and reach new, younger audiences. Straive is actively helping clients capitalize on this trend by offering end-to-end solutions for the production, distribution, and monetization of video and podcast content. Whether it’s through educational videos, interviews, or knowledge-driven podcasts, publishers can tap into new revenue streams while enhancing audience engagement. At the Frankfurt Book Fair, we look forward to discussing how the integration of audio-visual content into traditional publishing models can drive growth and innovation in today’s media landscape.

As the publishing industry continues to evolve, Straive remains committed to staying ahead of these trends, offering innovative solutions that empower our partners to navigate the challenges and capitalize on the opportunities.

Join us  at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2024 to learn more about how we can support your journey through these exciting transformations.

About the Author

Straive

Straive helps clients operationalize the data> insights> knowledge> AI value chain. Straive’s clients extend across Financial & Information Services, Insurance, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Scientific Research, EdTech, and Logistics.