Strategy: The Big Merge
That said, McCarthy says he thinks the move makes perfect sense. "People are trying to read a lot into it … but I think any attempt to read this as an extreme change in the business is a misread. It's consolidation, just like the publishing industry has experienced every year I've been in it."
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The Skeptic
Michael Norris
Senior Analyst
Simba Information
Some observers are more optimistic than others. Color Michael Norris less optimistic. "The only real innovative thing that may come out of this is the combined firm will have a lot more content to study, so they can better see what works and what doesn't with print and digital distribution," says Michael Norris, an astute observer of book buying trends in his role with Simba Information. "If they can combine easily and in a short time, that could be a good payoff."