A thorough understanding of global publishing in 2020 considers not only the bottom lines for companies, but also what underlines their business. Questions about publishing formats – books, mangas, and graphic novels, even magazines – must be raised. Cross-pollination in media entangles the story further, as book titles can extend IP across film and television as well as gaming.

Raising these points and offering thoughtful analysis is what distinguishes the latest edition of Global 50, The World Ranking of the Publishing Industry, from Rüdiger Wischenbart.

“It’s such a fragmented and changing and fluid business,” Wischenbart explains. “We are riding waves and we never have the full, complete picture. But that’s also part of the fun.”

Asserting that, “we need to build communities,” Wischenbart tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally of the generis for a new virtual conference series, Reboot Books.

“We started last year in September and October. We said, we want really experienced professionals of the industry to share their lessons learned over the past half-year,” he recalls.

“A Mexican colleague said, ‘we are living in good times for those who survive.’ He was not emphasizing the COVID infection, but business developments. We can see how very different companies in very different areas of the business find new ways to innovate, while others are really hitting the wall. That is where we are.”

For what Wischenbart calls the first semester of 21, Reboot returns on Thursday, February 25.

“It’s going to be about the numbers. We have reports with reliable numbers in print, in digital, in subscription services, etc., in a wide array of markets. And we will do some analysis ourselves. We strongly believe in collaborative efforts, and we will partner again with many data companies.