Penguin's US book offering is broad and will remain so, Bertelsmann CEO says

Bertelsmann SE & Co KGaA

31/03/2025 09:59

BERLIN, March 31 (Reuters) - Penguin Random House has a broad offering in the U.S. which it wants to maintain, the CEO of parent company Bertelsmann said on Monday, as the group reported a sales breakthrough in that region despite concerns over the Trump administration.

"The U.S. is the largest and most innovative media, services and education market," chief executive Thomas Rabe told Reuters. In 2024, the North America market accounted for 29% of total sales, double the 2011 level and making up the lion's share for the first time in the company's history.

"The share of earnings of around 40% is even higher," Rabe added.

However, he voiced concerns about the impact U.S. President Donald Trump could have on global trade, consumer spending and free speech.

This applies specifically to the Penguin Random House business, which serves as the United States' largest book publisher, according to the CEO.

Its publishing programme is broad and will remain so, he said, adding: "We will not allow ourselves to be influenced in this area - both in terms of fiction and non-fiction."

 (Reporting by Klaus Lauer, writing by Rachel More, editing by Thomas Seythal)

 ((rachel.more@thomsonreuters.com;))