Project

Publishing model that enables a quick response to fast-moving trends in work

Overview

Publishing model that allow to respond to fast-moving trends in work, technology and culture
Retain creative control
Strong public reception

Challenge

Julia Hobsbawm, award-winning writer, speaker and Bloomberg columnist, had previously published numerous books through the traditional route. She now wanted to retain more creative control and enable a quicker route to market for her latest book, Working Assumptions, which explores the impacts of Covid-19 and generative AI on the future of work. Julia needed a publishing model that would allow her to respond to fast-moving trends in work, technology and culture. Her goal was to maintain quality while leveraging her established platform to reach readers across various media and markets.

Execution

The editorial team at Whitefox worked closely with Julia to develop Working Assumptions, in addition to facilitating distribution channels that plugged into her wider promotional strategy and proved highly successful in propelling book sales. Our agile process enabled the book to be published within five months while maintaining high editorial standards.

Results/Outcome

Launched in April 2024, Working Assumptions’ successful release was complemented by a strong media presence in Forbes, the Financial Times and the London Evening Standard, and enthusiastic support from corporate partners. This strong public reception was supported by FMcM, an award-winning literary PR agency, with whom Julia and Whitefox collaborated closely. The project allowed Julia to retain full control over the publication, while the strategic distribution model ensured the book reached both corporate and consumer audiences globally. The model was well suited to Julia’s ambitions and the book’s themes of evolving changes in the workplace, making Working Assumptions both a commercial and critical success.

Julia Hobsbawm appears in GB News to discuss on how AI will affect those working in white-collar roles.

Writer, podcaster and author of the recent release 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, joins Camilla on GB News to discuss how attitudes toward work are changing with new generations as technology evolves and how artificial intelligence will affect those working in white-collar roles.

x.com • May 17, 2024

Julia Hobsbawm has been featured in 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘣𝘦𝘴 in an article by Roger Trapp that discusses how managers need to embrace the uncertainty of the new workplace.

𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘣𝘦𝘴 article 'Managers Need To Embrace Uncertainty Of New Workplace' by Roger Trapp discusses the challenges and dynamics of the modern workplace. It features insights from Julia Hobsbawm, who highlights the complexities of hybrid work and the impacts of AI on work culture.

www.forbes.com • July 01, 2024

‘The Evening Standard’ has published an extract from Julia Hobsbawm’s new book, ‘Working Assumptions’.

'Culture constantly innovates, and it tells us a story we are familiar with, again and again: Work. Some people make the assumption that life and work separate neatly, but I don't think they do,' says Julia Hobsbawm. The Evening Standard has run an extract adapted from her latest book 'Working Assumptions: What We Thought We Knew About Work Before Covid and Generative AI.'

www.standard.co.uk • April 16, 2024

Flexible benefits by Julia Hobsbawm

Julia's inspiring journey from major publishers to collaborating with us at Whitefox highlights the importance of flexibility and personal connection in the world of publishing.

www.thebookseller.com • June 17, 2024

Martin C. W. Walker reviews ‘Working Assumptions – What We Thought We Knew About Work Before Covid and Generative AI – And What We Know Now’ by Julia Hobsbawm.

In Working Assumptions, Julia Hobsbawm examines the impacts of Covid-19 and generative AI on the future of work. Exploring debates around how flexible working impacts productivity, the rising number of managers and how great a threat Generative AI poses to job security, Hobsbawm’s book is a timely and astute examination of change in the workplace, writes Martin C. W. Walker.

blogs.lse.ac.uk • July 26, 2024

‘Working Assumptions’ has been highlighted in the ‘Financial Times’ as one of their Books of the Month.

Julia Hobsbawm’s 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 is transforming how we view the post-Covid work world. The book explores the inevitable changes to the workplace in light of upheaval caused by Covid and generative AI (amongst others).

www.ft.com • April 15, 2024

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