Lee Jarit Helps Audible Forge Publisher Relationships Worldwide

“I always wanted to join a company where I could help grow a product I loved,” says Lee Jarit, Audible’s Global Head of Publisher and Partner Relations. Twelve years ago, he was a mergers and acquisitions lawyer at a major law firm in New York City, then he joined our business affairs team to help negotiate deals with authors and publishers. Initially, Jarit helped Audible Studios acquire the rights to exclusively produce audiobook content. Among the most exciting titles Jarit acquired was Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, narrated by Tim Robbins.

Over the years, Jarit’s team grew to focus on working with our North American-based publishers, and later encompassed working with Audible’s Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX) authors, publishers and narrators. His organization now includes our global teams overseeing publisher relationships around the world. Earlier this year, Jarit helped to develop and roll out a new royalty model that meets the evolving needs of our creators and publishers. “I’m eager to see the benefits creators derive from it,” says Jarit.

Since he’s had a front-row seat to some of audio entertainment’s biggest developments, and how Audible’s innovations have revolutionized the category, we asked him to reflect on the industry, his career and his approach to leadership.

Can you describe your role as Audible’s Global Head of Publisher and Partner Relations?

A substantial portion of the content that Audible customers engage with comes from third-party publishers, as well as indie authors and narrators who are producing content via ACX. I manage teams around the globe who oversee the relationships with these creators, whether that entails negotiating new deals or managing day-to-day interactions. This work includes learning what great new content is headed our way and sharing that with the various teams at Audible who may want to highlight it for our customers.

Because my team is a primary connection between Audible and the creators who supply us with their marvelous content, we also get involved in just about every new product or initiative Audible may consider launching so that we can ensure the creators’ point of view, and any impact on the creator, is considered.

What is something you believe is essential to succeeding as a leader?

I think there are a number of key things that have led to my success, and that I think are essential to anyone’s success. First, work is a substantial portion of one’s life, and it’s important that you and the people around you are happy and having fun. If you don’t create an atmosphere that allows for that, it will almost certainly lead to you and your team not succeeding in your goals. It’s one of the reasons why it is not unheard of for me to show up at a random meeting, even with our CEO and his directs, in a costume.

Second, when I joined Audible as a former lawyer, I knew nothing about this business, so it was extremely important to listen and learn every opportunity I got. That’s even more important for me now, as a leader. By listening and learning, I am better able to provide input and insights as our business heads in new directions.

And third, as a leader, it’s important that I spend time cultivating the talents of those around me so that they too can grow and excel in their roles.

What do you like best about your work?

Getting to shape the future of Audible’s business. Every day I get to sit in meetings where decisions are made about how we should develop and grow our product offerings or how we should enhance our relationships with our creators. I love getting to be in a room with a group of really hard-working, smart and caring individuals who are looking to find the best outcome to serve both our customers and creators.

If you were stuck on a desert island and could only bring one piece of tech, what would it be and why?

Of course the lawyer in me is trying to logic my way out of this situation. For instance, I would have a satellite phone with service so I could call someone to get me off the island, or just give me a helicopter capable of flying me back home. But if I’m truly stuck—and I’ll assume I’ve mastered the skills of creating a fire and catching my own food—then I’ll take a tablet with access to unlimited content (video and audiobook, of course) to keep me entertained.

Lightning round

• Coffee or tea? A very large morning cup of coffee.
• Morning person or night owl? Definitely night owl, especially nowadays since it’s the only kid-free time I get.
• Where are you working from currently? I alternate between home and our hub in Newark, New Jersey, with the occasional trip to one of our global offices, like London or Berlin.
• How long have you been with Audible? Twelve years.
• Who is your biggest inspiration, career-wise? My father, who was a dentist in a small town on the east end of Long Island. He had his own practice and he always treated his staff with kindness and respect. In addition, he always made sure to be home and present for my mother, my brother and me. Treating people the way my father did and trying to separate work and family time are two things I continue to strive for.
• Dine in or take out? My wife and I fancy ourselves amateur food critics (don’t worry, we only say positive things publicly), so definitely dine out.
• Favorite outside of work hobby? I love to travel with my family. There’s so much in the world to enjoy, from experiencing different cultures to seeing amazing natural wonders, and of course trying new foods.
• Favorite Audible listen, go. It’s so tough to choose. I have more than 600 titles in my Audible Library! I love getting to share what I do with my family, and especially to watch my kids fall in love with audiobooks. The Mystwick School of Musicraft is a fabulous Audible Original by Jessica Khoury, mixing fantasy and mystery, and it even has original music from the New Jersey Symphony Youth Orchestra woven throughout. As for my own personal listening, the sci-fi nerd in me couldn’t be happier to have discovered, via audiobooks, the author John Scalzi, who uses the talented Wil Wheaton to narrate a substantial portion of his hilarious and unique sci-fi works.