Markus Dohle Letter to Penguin Random House Staff

As previously reported, Penguin's impressive year-on-year growth was driven by standout publishing from every territory: In the U.S. and Canada, AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED by Khaled Hosseini and THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green. In the UK, THE MYSTERY OF MERCY CLOSE by Marian Keyes and John le Carré's A DELICATE TRUTH. Jamie Oliver's JAMIE'S 15-MINUTE MEALS and new titles by Ravinder Singh and Durjoy Datta were strong contributors in Australia and India respectively. Dorling Kindersley's market share increased globally through its LEGO® PUBLISHING.

Our financial achievements are a reflection of the excellence you bring to what you love doing as members of our publishing family. Whether by publishing award-winning authors and the books that people just can't stop talking about, or through innovating in digital and enhancing print capabilities, we are implementing our vision to shape and redefine the reading experience. In our first weeks as a united company we've already enjoyed great attention for several of our early successes. In the U.S. we have had sleeper hits with the #1 bestselling ZEALOT by Reza Aslan and THIS TOWN by Mark Leibovich. John Williams's STONER and I AM PILGRIM by Terry Hayes achieved sales breakthroughs in the UK, where Sylvia Day's ENTWINED WITH YOU topped The Bookseller's first-ever official eBook sales ranking. THE AUSTRALIAN MOMENT by George Megalogenis and John van de Ruit's SPUD series were honored with major literary prizes in Australia and South Africa respectively. Substantial media coverage is boosting sales in New Zealand for books by Michael Van de Elzen and Lynley Dodd. Random House India published its first enhanced eBook, and Penguin India's AN UNCERTAIN GLORY by Jean Drèze and Amartya Sen has created a national debate.

We can all take pride in what we have accomplished-both culturally and commercially-in the last eight months pre-merger, and in the last eight weeks as a new company. As we begin this ever-important fall and holiday publishing and selling season, let's further deepen our collaboration and shared sense of purpose as we make the most of our fantastic lineup of books worldwide. I thank you for the support you have given to our authors, to one another, and to me in our first months together. We began 2013 very well as the world's two leading trade book publishers. With your commitment and creativity, let's finish the year even stronger as a united Penguin Random House.