Paulo Lemgruber is Connecting Storytellers and Listeners Around the World

For more than 10 years, Paulo Lemgruber has been helping to connect Audible listeners around the world with stories and creators they love. He joined us in 2015 to help acquire international content, and as Audible has grown our worldwide audiences and catalog, Lemgruber’s role has also expanded. He’s now Head of Regional Content for Latin America and Rest of World.

Before joining Audible, Lemgruber spent 20 years working in media and technology, including at companies like Sony Pictures Entertainment, Comcast and Hearst. He also created a start-up called Bookish, a destination for book lovers that was backed by three of the Big Five publishers. Along the way, he became an Audible member, downloading his first audiobook, Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson.

In 2015, Lemgruber was invited to use his considerable experience across publishing and media to help Audible bring the world’s best-loved stories to life as immersive audio experiences. “As a long-time Audible member, I jumped at the opportunity,” he says. Read on to learn about exciting new developments Lemgruber is helping to lead at Audible, and the quote that has stuck with him throughout his career.

What’s an exciting thing you are working on right now?

Our team has helped to build the largest Spanish-language audiobook catalog available, including Audible Originals created and narrated by top creators in Latin America. Recently, we were able to celebrate our work with some of these creators at an event in Mexico City, which showcased some incredible titles and talented authors and narrators. We continue to build out our catalog of Brazilian Portuguese-language content for our service for Brazilian listeners, which, since launching in October of 2023, continues to delight customers and grow awareness of the audio storytelling format.

I am excited to continue championing great audio storytelling worldwide, ensuring that we have the most compelling and relevant content offerings for new audiences and existing customers. This September, I participated in a panel in Abu Dhabi at the Congress of Arabic Publishing and Creative Industries, where we discussed the future of audiobooks in Arabic-speaking marketplaces.

How do you describe your approach to leadership?

I believe that in order to be a true leader, one needs to care deeply for everyone on his or her team and provide them with all the support they need to be successful. I try to create relationships that are built on trust, mutual respect and teamwork. It is also important to communicate goals and challenges clearly and effectively, and be open to feedback.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

I am an extremely curious person and a news junkie. I love learning about almost everything and sharing my findings with my team and colleagues. This passion has allowed me to be a more informed and well-rounded person and has actually resulted in some of our top Spanish-language Audible Originals, like Pantallas y mentiras, commissioned after I listened to the creator’s first podcast, and Canta y no llores, commissioned after reading a New York Times article.

Are there any quotes that have stuck with you over the years?

Yes, a quote from my favorite professor at Harvard Business School: “Happiness is not getting what you want but wanting what you get.” It reminds me that happiness is about being content with what life brings you, not about collecting more things.

Lightning round

• Coffee or tea? Coffee first, then green tea.
• Morning person or night owl? Before the pandemic, I was more of a night owl. Since then, I’ve become a morning person.
• Where are you working from currently? Newark, NJ.
• How long have you been with Audible? More than 10 years.
• Who is your biggest inspiration, career-wise? Some leaders that have inspired me include: the Dalai Lama for advocating peace and compassion, Jeff Bezos for creating a culture of customer obsession, and Steve Jobs for his unmatched product vision.
• Dine in our take out? Dine in, whenever possible.
• Favorite outside of work hobby? Exercising, collecting art, and spending time with my partner, friends and family.
• Favorite Audible listen, go. I am currently listening to two great audiobooks: Good Energy, by Dr. Casey Means, and El imperio eres tú, by Javier Moro. This book won the Planeta Prize in 2011 and tells the story about the move of the Portuguese royal court from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro (my hometown) in 1808, prompted by Napoleon’s invasion of Portugal.