Top 10 Powerhouses in Global Publishing: Meet the Giants Shaping the Future of Books

1. Pearson PLC: Founded in 1844, Pearson PLC is a British multinational publishing and education company headquartered in London. It is the largest education company and book publisher in the world. Pearson focuses on educational books and services, with a significant presence in the United States. In 2022, Pearson reported revenues of approximately £3.4 billion. The company is led by CEO Andy Bird, who took over in 2020. Pearson's strategy includes a strong emphasis on digital learning and educational technology.

2. RELX Group: RELX Group, formerly known as Reed Elsevier, is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. Founded in 1993, the company is headquartered in London and Amsterdam. RELX's publishing arm, Elsevier, is a leading publisher of scientific, technical, and medical content. In 2022, RELX reported revenues of £7.2 billion. The company is led by CEO Erik Engstrom. RELX focuses on digital transformation and data analytics to drive growth.

3. Thomson Reuters: Thomson Reuters is a Canadian multinational media conglomerate founded in 2008, following the merger of Thomson Corporation and Reuters Group. Headquartered in Toronto, the company specializes in providing news and information for professional markets. Thomson Reuters' publishing division focuses on legal, tax, and accounting sectors. In 2022, the company reported revenues of $6.3 billion. Steve Hasker serves as the CEO. Thomson Reuters emphasizes innovation and technology to enhance its product offerings.

4. Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA: Bertelsmann is a German multinational corporation founded in 1835, with its headquarters in Gütersloh, Germany. It operates in various sectors, including media, services, and education. Bertelsmann's publishing division, Penguin Random House, is the largest trade book publisher in the world. In 2022, Bertelsmann reported revenues of €18.7 billion. The company is led by CEO Thomas Rabe. Bertelsmann focuses on expanding its digital and international presence.

5. Hachette Livre: Hachette Livre, a subsidiary of the French media group Lagardère, is one of the largest publishing companies in the world. Founded in 1826, it is headquartered in Paris, France. Hachette Livre publishes a wide range of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, and educational books. In 2022, the company reported revenues of €2.6 billion. Pierre Leroy serves as the CEO. Hachette Livre is known for its strong portfolio of authors and commitment to digital publishing.

6. HarperCollins Publishers LLC: HarperCollins, a subsidiary of News Corp, is one of the world's largest publishing companies. Founded in 1989 through the merger of Harper & Row and William Collins, Sons, it is headquartered in New York City. HarperCollins publishes a diverse range of books, including fiction, non-fiction, and children's literature. In 2022, the company reported revenues of $1.98 billion. Brian Murray is the CEO. HarperCollins focuses on expanding its global reach and digital offerings.

7. Macmillan Publishers: Macmillan Publishers is a global trade publishing company founded in 1843, with headquarters in New York City. It is part of the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, a family-owned company based in Stuttgart, Germany. Macmillan publishes a wide range of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, and academic books. In 2022, Macmillan reported revenues of approximately $1.4 billion. Don Weisberg serves as the CEO. Macmillan emphasizes innovation and sustainability in its publishing practices.

8. Simon & Schuster: Simon & Schuster, founded in 1924, is a major American publishing company headquartered in New York City. It is a subsidiary of Paramount Global. Simon & Schuster publishes a wide range of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, and children's books. In 2022, the company reported revenues of $1.2 billion. Jonathan Karp is the CEO. Simon & Schuster is known for its strong editorial team and commitment to author development.

9. Scholastic Corporation: Scholastic Corporation, founded in 1920, is an American multinational publishing, education, and media company headquartered in New York City. It is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books. In 2022, Scholastic reported revenues of $1.6 billion. Peter Warwick serves as the CEO. Scholastic focuses on educational publishing and literacy initiatives, with a strong emphasis on digital content.

10. Wiley (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.): Wiley, founded in 1807, is an American multinational publishing company headquartered in Hoboken, New Jersey. It specializes in academic publishing and instructional materials. Wiley publishes a wide range of scientific, technical, and medical content. In 2022, the company reported revenues of $2.1 billion. Brian Napack is the CEO. Wiley focuses on digital transformation and open access publishing to drive growth.