Simon & Schuster

One of the 'Big Five' global trade book publishers with a broad catalog of imprints and a strong backlist of bestselling titles

Simon & Schuster is one of the 'Big Five' traditional book publishers in the United States, founded in 1924 by Richard Simon and M. Lincoln Schuster. The company publishes thousands of titles annually across a broad range of genres and formats, including adult fiction and nonfiction, children's and young adult books, and digital and audio content. Its portfolio of imprints includes Scribner, Atria Books, Pocket Books, Gallery Books, and many others, representing some of the most recognized names in American and global literature. After nearly five decades as part of larger media conglomerates — most recently Paramount Global and its predecessors ViacomCBS and CBS — Simon & Schuster was sold to private equity firm KKR in a deal that closed on October 30, 2023, for approximately $1.62 billion. A prior proposed sale to Penguin Random House was blocked by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2022 on antitrust grounds. Under KKR ownership, Simon & Schuster continues to operate as an independent publishing entity with its own leadership and brand identity. While Simon & Schuster is not a traditional AdTech company, it is relevant to the broader media and advertising ecosystem as a major content producer and rights holder. The company's digital publishing, e-commerce, and direct-to-consumer initiatives intersect with digital advertising and audience monetization strategies. Its scale, brand recognition, and deep catalog of intellectual property make it a significant player in the media landscape that AdTech platforms and publishers frequently engage with.