Kobo Chief Executive Discusses International Growth Strategy and Demographic Shifts in E-Reading

Kobo's CEO Michael Tamblyn discussed the company's strategic approach to global expansion during an interview on the Open Book podcast, explaining why the company chose to focus on international markets rather than directly competing with dominant US retailers. Tamblyn noted that Amazon controls the e-book market primarily in the US and UK, while other regions rely on local bookselling chains, making international markets a more viable growth opportunity. The conversation also touched on changing consumer demographics and ongoing industry debates surrounding artificial intelligence.

Kobo's leadership has adopted a strategic positioning that acknowledges Amazon's dominant hold on English-language e-book markets in North America and Britain. Rather than attempting to compete directly against tech giants and established retailers in saturated territories, the company identified underserved regions where independent and regional booksellers handle digital distribution. This approach allowed Kobo to establish footholds in markets where local retail networks controlled the supply chain, positioning the company as a partner to existing bookselling infrastructure rather than a disruptor.

The podcast discussion also addressed how the e-reading audience itself is evolving, with demographic patterns shifting in ways that may influence how publishers and retailers develop their services. The inclusion of artificial intelligence in the conversation reflects broader industry discussions about how emerging technologies might reshape content creation, discovery, and distribution within the digital publishing landscape.