How GCP Industrial Turned Executive Relationships Into a B2B Podcast

• Client: GCP Industrial Products

• Podcast: Clarity Generates Confidence

• Production: 50+ Episodes Across Multiple Seasons

• Notable Guest: Dan Sullivan, Co-Founder of Strategic Coach

• Our Role: Podcast production partner to GCP's in-house marketing team

GCP Industrial's founder, Gary Mottershead, had something most marketing teams would envy: direct access to successful entrepreneurs and business leaders around the world. As an entrepreneur and longtime Strategic Coach workshop leader, Gary had built a network of relationships worth sharing.

The opportunity was to turn those relationships into a podcast that showcased expertise, shared valuable insights, and strengthened connections with business leaders. But producing a professional show consistently required dedicated support.

The Challenge

GCP wanted to turn Gary's network into a professional podcast, but its internal marketing team didn't have the technical expertise to produce one.

They first came to Jony Studios for in-studio recording and production support. As the show developed, interviewing guests in other countries created a new challenge: how to record professional conversations without everyone being in the same room.

GCP needed a production partner who could manage recording sessions, support international guests, and maintain professional audio quality while its marketing team focused on publishing and promotion.

What We Did

Created a recognizable sound

We developed a custom podcast intro with original music, giving Clarity Generates Confidence a distinct and professional identity.

Made global conversations possible

We moved production from in-studio recording to SquadCast, allowing Gary to interview business leaders in Dubai and other international locations without travel or studio logistics.

Managed the recording experience

Our team attended remote recording sessions live, guiding Gary and his guests through technical setup, troubleshooting issues, and overseeing the recording. This allowed everyone to focus on the conversation rather than the technology.

Handled ongoing post-production

We edited, mixed, and mastered episodes for a consistent listening experience, even when guests recorded from different locations using different equipment.

Worked alongside the marketing team

We collaborated directly with GCP's marketing coordinator, Kim Lemon, and its internal team. Jony Studios provided recording and audio production support while GCP managed publishing and promotion.

The Result

We helped launch Clarity Generates Confidence in 2020 and supported the production of more than 50 episodes across multiple seasons, building a library of conversations with entrepreneurs, executives, and industry leaders, including Dan Sullivan.

Our production approach helped GCP expand beyond local studio recordings to include conversations with guests around the world, while maintaining professional audio production across different recording environments.

For Gary, that meant dedicated technical support so he could focus on his guests. For GCP's marketing team, it meant a dependable production partner who could keep episodes moving without adding more technical work to their responsibilities.

The podcast has continued to grow, with GCP publishing episodes as resources on its website, demonstrating how executive conversations can become lasting content assets.

What the Client Said

"Working with Jony Studios was time and money well spent. Jonathan even offered suggestions that took the podcast to another level, all while maintaining a friendly, patient and humble attitude. I can't wait to work with them again!"

Kim Lemon, Marketing Coordinator, GCP Industrial Products

From Podcast Production to a Complete B2B Content Engine

Our work with GCP Industrial reflects an approach we still believe in today: executives should focus on the conversations and relationships, not the complexities of producing a podcast.

Today, Jony Studios takes that approach further. We manage the complete podcast and content marketing process for B2B companies, from strategy and guest outreach to audio and video production, social clips, publishing, and episode pages optimized for SEO and AI search.

The goal is to turn valuable conversations into consistent content that builds authority, strengthens relationships, and supports long-term demand generation.

See how we ranked a new B2B podcast #1 on Google and AI Search using our podcast strategy and content optimization approach.

Ready to Get More From Your B2B Podcast?

Whether you're launching a new show or getting more value from an existing one, Jony Studios handles everything from guest outreach to production and publishing, without adding more work to your marketing team.

Your executives focus on the conversations. We handle everything else.

Or explore our B2B podcasting services.

ACX Exclusive vs Non-Exclusive: Which Is Right for Your Audiobook?

If you're getting ready to publish an audiobook through ACX, one of the biggest decisions you'll make is whether to choose exclusive or non-exclusive distribution.

It's also one of the questions authors ask us most often through our audiobook production services.

The difference isn't just about royalty rates. Your choice determines where you can distribute your audiobook, whether you can sell it through other channels, and how much flexibility you'll have after launch.

Here's the short answer:

ACX exclusive distribution gives you a higher royalty rate on Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books, but you cannot distribute your audiobook elsewhere. Non-exclusive distribution gives you a lower royalty rate through ACX but allows you to distribute your audiobook through other retailers, libraries, and channels.

For many first-time authors, exclusive distribution makes sense. For authors who prioritize wide distribution, libraries, direct sales, or using their audiobook as part of a larger business, non-exclusive may be the better option.

Let's break down the differences.

Note: ACX royalty rates changed in 2026. If you've researched this before, you may have seen 40% for exclusive and 25% for non-exclusive. Audible introduced a new royalty model on May 26, 2026, and the current ACX royalty rates are 50% and 30%. A lot of the advice still circulating online reflects the old numbers.

How Big Is the ACX Distribution Side?

Before weighing the tradeoff, it helps to understand what exclusive distribution actually reaches.

The U.S. audiobook market reached $2.43 billion in 2025, up 9% year over year, according to the Audio Publishers Association's annual sales survey. Audible is widely considered the dominant audiobook retailer in the U.S., although Amazon does not publish Audible's market share as a standalone figure.

Exclusive distribution also reaches beyond Audible itself. Your audiobook is distributed through Amazon and Apple Books, and eligible titles can benefit from features such as Whispersync for Voice, which allows Kindle readers to add the audiobook at a discounted price.

That reach is an important part of the case for exclusive distribution, beyond simply earning the higher ACX royalty rate.

What Is ACX Exclusive Distribution?

When you choose exclusive distribution through ACX, Audible distributes your audiobook through Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books.

In exchange for giving Audible exclusive distribution rights, you receive the higher ACX royalty rate.

Under Audible's current royalty model, exclusive titles earn a 50% royalty rate.

Exclusive titles also get access to ACX promo codes. You receive 25 codes per book for each of the U.S. and UK marketplaces, which you can provide to reviewers to help generate early reviews. Non-exclusive titles don't receive these promo codes, making this a useful launch tool for exclusive titles.

The tradeoff is important: while your audiobook is exclusive, you cannot independently sell or distribute it through other retailers or distribution channels.

That means you cannot take the same audiobook and distribute it to places such as Spotify, Kobo, Google Play, libraries, or your own direct-sales channels. If you already have an audience or other channels you want to distribute through, this is an important limitation to consider.

For many authors, that's an acceptable tradeoff. Audible remains the most important audiobook marketplace, and exclusive distribution keeps things relatively simple.

What Is ACX Non-Exclusive Distribution?

Non-exclusive distribution gives you considerably more flexibility.

Your audiobook can still be distributed through ACX to Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books, but you are also free to distribute it through other audiobook retailers and services.

Under Audible's current royalty model, non-exclusive titles earn a 30% royalty rate through ACX.

In exchange for the lower royalty rate, you can pursue additional distribution opportunities, including:

• Spotify

• Kobo

• Google Play

• Other audiobook retailers

• Library distribution

• Direct sales through your own channels

It's important to understand that ACX does not handle those additional channels for you. Non-exclusive simply gives you the right to distribute elsewhere. You or your audiobook distribution partner will need to arrange that additional distribution separately.

ACX Exclusive vs. Non-Exclusive Royalty Rates

The biggest difference authors usually notice first is the royalty rate.

Under Audible's current royalty model:

ACX Exclusive

50% royalty rate

Distribution outside ACX: No

ACX Non-Exclusive

30% royalty rate

Distribution outside ACX: Yes

These rates increased when Audible introduced its new royalty model in May 2026. The previous rates were 40% for exclusive distribution and 25% for non-exclusive distribution.

Audible also changed how some membership listening royalties are calculated. Under the current model, royalty earnings can include listener engagement through Audible membership offerings rather than being based solely on traditional individual purchases.

Because audiobook royalty programs can change over time, always confirm the current rates and terms with ACX before making your final decision.

Is ACX Exclusive or Non-Exclusive Better?

For many authors, exclusive is the better fit.

If your primary goal is simply to sell your audiobook to audiobook listeners, exclusive distribution can be an attractive option.

You receive the higher ACX royalty rate while still reaching Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books.

In our experience producing and distributing audiobooks, most authors choose exclusive distribution.

It's particularly worth considering if:

• Your main goal is earning royalties from audiobook sales

• You don't already have a large audience or direct-sales channel

• Library distribution isn't important to you

• You don't need to sell the audiobook independently

• You want to keep distribution relatively simple

For a first-time author who mainly wants their audiobook available where a large number of audiobook listeners already shop, exclusive distribution can make a lot of sense.

When Does ACX Non-Exclusive Make More Sense?

The decision changes when reaching more channels is more important than maximizing your ACX royalty percentage.

This comes up frequently with business authors, consultants, founders, speakers, and executives.

For these authors, the audiobook may be more than a product.

It can be a way to build authority, reach potential clients, support speaking engagements, expand the audience for a book, or become part of a larger content and marketing strategy.

In those situations, having the freedom to distribute the audiobook more widely may be worth giving up the higher ACX royalty rate.

Non-exclusive distribution is worth considering if:

• You want your audiobook available through additional retailers

• You want library distribution

• You want the flexibility to sell or distribute the audiobook through your own channels

• You have an existing audience outside Audible

• Your book supports a business, speaking career, course, or larger brand

• Maximum reach matters more to you than earning the highest possible royalty rate through ACX

For these authors, the audiobook's value may not come primarily from the royalty earned on each sale.

A business book that leads to a consulting engagement, speaking opportunity, customer, or business relationship can be worth considerably more than the audiobook royalty itself.

What About Audiobook Distribution to Libraries?

This is one of the clearest reasons to consider non-exclusive distribution.

ACX does not currently distribute audiobooks to libraries.

If you want your audiobook to be available through library channels, you'll need to choose non-exclusive distribution and arrange library distribution outside ACX.

The library audiobook market is substantial and still growing. Readers borrowed 315.9 million audiobooks through OverDrive's Libby and Sora apps in 2025, a 13% increase over the previous year.

For some authors, libraries aren't a priority.

For others, especially nonfiction authors, educators, publishers, and authors focused on broad accessibility, library availability can be an important part of the distribution strategy.

Can I Switch From ACX Exclusive to Non-Exclusive Later?

Yes, but you should still think carefully before choosing.

Under ACX's current agreement, you can make a one-time request to change between exclusive and non-exclusive distribution after your audiobook has been available for sale for at least 90 days.

ACX states that it will process the request within 30 days.

After that one change, ACX does not guarantee you'll be able to change your distribution election again. It's best to plan as though you get one change.

That means you do have some flexibility if your strategy changes, but it's still better to think about your long-term distribution goals before publishing.

There is also an important exception: certain Royalty Share arrangements require exclusive distribution and cannot be changed. Always check the terms of your specific production and distribution agreement.

Should I Start Exclusive and Switch to Non-Exclusive Later?

Some authors consider launching exclusively and changing to non-exclusive later.

That can work, but it isn't automatically the best strategy.

Keep the timeline in mind. Ninety days of required sales history plus up to 30 days of processing means it could be around four months before you can begin distributing your audiobook elsewhere.

Those first few months are also typically an important launch period, when your promotion and publicity efforts are at their strongest.

If you already know that libraries, additional retailers, or independent distribution are important to your launch, waiting several months to expand your distribution may work against your goals.

On the other hand, if you're a first-time author primarily focused on Audible and aren't sure whether wide distribution will matter, starting exclusive may be reasonable.

The better question isn't:

"Which option pays more?"

It's:

"What do I want this audiobook to do for me?"

That's usually what determines the right answer.

ACX Exclusive vs. Non-Exclusive: Our Recommendation

There isn't one distribution option that's best for every audiobook.

Consider ACX exclusive if your main goal is selling the audiobook through the major ACX channels, you value the higher royalty rate, and you don't need additional distribution.

Consider ACX non-exclusive if you want broader distribution, library availability, independent sales options, or more control over where your audiobook can appear.

For many first-time and fiction authors, we'd lean toward exclusive.

For business authors, speakers, consultants, publishers, and authors with an existing audience or broader distribution strategy, we'd take a serious look at non-exclusive.

The right decision depends less on the royalty percentage itself and more on what role the audiobook plays in your overall goals.

If you're still deciding how to produce your audiobook, we've also put together a guide comparing some of the top audiobook production companies and publishers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between ACX exclusive and non-exclusive?

ACX exclusive distribution gives Audible exclusive rights to distribute your audiobook and offers a higher royalty rate. Non-exclusive distribution offers a lower royalty rate but allows you to distribute your audiobook through other retailers and channels as well.

What are the ACX exclusive and non-exclusive royalty rates?

Under Audible's current royalty model, ACX pays a 50% royalty rate for exclusive distribution and a 30% royalty rate for non-exclusive distribution. These replaced the previous 40% and 25% rates in May 2026. Rates and royalty programs can change, so confirm the current terms with ACX before publishing.

Where does ACX distribute my audiobook?

ACX distributes qualifying audiobooks to Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books. Choosing non-exclusive distribution allows you to arrange additional distribution outside ACX.

Can I distribute my audiobook to libraries through ACX?

No. ACX does not currently provide library distribution. If library distribution is important to you, you'll need to choose non-exclusive distribution and arrange it separately.

Can I sell my audiobook directly if I choose ACX exclusive?

Generally, no. Exclusive distribution grants Audible exclusive distribution rights, so you cannot independently sell or distribute the same audiobook through your own channels while that exclusivity applies.

Non-exclusive distribution gives you that freedom, though you'll be responsible for driving the audience and sales yourself.

Can I switch from exclusive to non-exclusive on ACX?

Under ACX's current agreement, you can request a one-time change between exclusive and non-exclusive distribution after your audiobook has been available for sale for at least 90 days. ACX does not guarantee any change beyond that one.

Is ACX exclusive worth it?

It can be. Exclusive distribution offers a higher ACX royalty rate and may be a good fit for authors primarily focused on selling through Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books.

Non-exclusive may be better if wider distribution, libraries, or independent sales are important to your strategy.

Need Help Producing or Distributing Your Audiobook?

At Jony Studios, we help authors through the entire audiobook production and distribution process.

We've worked on audiobook and audio projects for authors, publishers, and organizations including Penguin Random House, Amazon, and Baker Tilly. For example, see how we handled an end-to-end remote audiobook production for Guilford Press, coordinating a 236,000+ word production with four performers across multiple locations.

Whether you're narrating the book yourself or working with a professional narrator, we can help with the recording process, editing, mastering, and distribution. We handle both ACX and wider audiobook distribution, so our goal is to help you choose the option that makes the most sense for your book.

If you're not sure whether ACX exclusive or non-exclusive distribution is right for you, we can help you think through your options as part of the process.

Ready to Produce Your Audiobook?

Whether you’re narrating it yourself or working with a professional narrator, Jony Studios can help with the entire audiobook production and distribution process.

ACX royalty rates, distribution terms, and program features can change. This article reflects ACX's current published terms at the time of its most recent update. Always review your current ACX agreement and account terms before making a distribution decision.

Best Audiobook Production Companies for Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders

US audiobook sales revenue hit $2.43 billion in 2025, up 9% over the previous year, according to the Audio Publishers Association. Nonfiction is driving a growing share of that growth, with the category projected to expand roughly four times faster than fiction over the next several years, a sign that business authors and entrepreneurs are no longer treating audio as optional.

Finding an audiobook production company that is best equipped to meet your specific needs and help you produce the highest quality product possible is crucial. Whether you are prioritising done-for-you full service, or companies that specialize in individual services, you will benefit from external expertise, and improve your brand visibility.

Here you will find the top audiobook production companies suited towards a variety of differing needs, and learn about what sets each one apart from the rest. 

Production Companies vs. Publishers 

If you are unfamiliar with the process of producing and distributing an audiobook then these two terms may sound interchangeable to you, however this is not the case. When publishing your book yourself, partnering with a production company is typically what will work best for you, because this company will allow you to maintain a large amount of control over your audiobook and how the final product turns out. 

Publishers, alternatively, are purchasing the rights to your book, meaning that you will sign a contract and be provided with an advance, allowing the publisher to make all major decisions and take over control of the production, distribution and marketing process. The publisher is also gaining all of the profits from your book, excluding your agreed upon royalty.  

Production companies instead allow you to be involved creatively with the production process, including helping with decisions like who the narrator will be and what changes you want made. You are also keeping the rights to your book, and taking in the profit yourself. While some production companies may want part of the future royalties on your book, other payment options can include a PFH rate or a flat fee depending on the specific company. 

When considering both of these options, it’s important to remember that because you are creating an audiobook, you will still be able to distribute through popular channels like Audible, Apple Books and Amazon if you choose not to pursue the traditional publishing route. 

This means you can retain the rights to your work and still reach your audience, allowing you to repurpose that content into marketing assets for your business.  

Here are the best audiobook production companies for entrepreneurs and business leaders: 

1.  Jony Studios

Jony Studios is a full-service audiobook production and distribution company that works with authors across a wide range of genres, but has built a specialized process for entrepreneurs, founders, and business leaders who want to turn their book into a long-term business asset.

Because the company is led by a B2B marketer, every project is approached with an understanding that an audiobook should do more than generate royalties. It should strengthen your brand, create marketing content, and build authority long after launch.

Casting isn't finalized until you approve a narrator who's the right fit for your brand and your book, not just whoever's available. For a recent Guilford Press audiobook, the team auditioned 10 narrators before landing on the final cast. Jony Studios has also produced audiobooks for Amazon, Penguin Random House, and Brilliance Audio.

Whether you choose to narrate the book yourself or work with a professional narrator, the team guides you through every stage of the process, from preparing your recording setup to final approval before distribution. Production, editing, and full distribution through ACX and Voices by INaudio (formerly Findaway Voices) to Audible, Apple Books, Spotify, and other major retailers are all handled by one team, giving you a single point of contact from manuscript to retail. You retain full ownership of your audiobook and its royalties.

Unlike companies that charge per-finished-hour rates, Jony Studios uses fixed package pricing, so you know your total investment before production begins. Pricing is based on your manuscript's word count and whether you narrate the book yourself or work with a professional narrator. Simply submit your approximate word count for a free estimate, typically sent within 24 - 48 business hours.

2. Scribe Media

Scribe Media is a done-for-you production company that handles the entire creation and distribution process, from recording to final delivery, best suited to entrepreneurs and business leaders who'd rather work with one company than coordinate several. Audiobook production is one part of a broader book-writing and publishing service rather than their core specialty. The company operates under new ownership following the original Scribe Media's 2023 financial collapse and bankruptcy, now led by CEO Eric Jorgenson and backed by Enduring Ventures. As with most bundled pricing, you'll pay for distribution as part of the package even if you don't need it.

Their done-for-you service means that they will take care of and include you in all aspects of the process, including recording, editing, sound engineering, quality control and distribution, allowing you to optimize the audio for specific distributors or platforms. 

You have the option of choosing a narrator, or narrating yourself, and the guidance and assistance of professionals and sound engineers to adjust the recording, all while keeping in mind your preferences. Since they are not a traditional publisher, your audiobook and its royalties stay entirely yours. Generally prices for audiobook production start at $8,000, but you will be quoted for the exact cost of your specific project. 

3. Lucent Audio

Lucent Audio is a full-service audiobook production company that provides everything from pre-production to recording to distribution, and their team, including top sound engineers ensure that your product is high quality through their QC reviews that take place during post-production. 

With services starting around $5,000, you also have the option to use the company for distribution only, which starts at around $1,000, meaning you can partner with other companies as well for the production process. 

Your audiobook remains entirely your property when you partner with Lucent Audio, and you'll work directly with founder Jeff Guillot and his team to tailor the project to your specifications. This company is best suited to first-time audiobook authors, especially founders with no prior audio experience, or anyone who wants help specifically with distribution.

4. Mosaic Audio

Providing audiobook services that include all aspects of the process from production to distribution, Mosaic Audio is an LA based production company known for working with famous clients and creating high-quality audiobooks to meet celebrity standards. 

Their studios however are only located in the LA area, meaning some of your recording options, like narrator and language choices may be limited. 

In the past they have worked with both traditional publishers and independent authors, but have now shifted to working primarily with publishing companies, meaning that if you're self-publishing and want to hold onto ownership of your work so you can reuse it in your own content and marketing, this company is likely not your best option.

5. John Marshall Media

With versatile services and experience producing audiobooks of many different genres, John Marshall Media has the notoriety and skillset that comes from working with major publishers, but will still work with individual authors, helping founders and independent authors who want to keep full ownership of their content make a high quality product, through their network of sound engineers and narrators trained to keep listeners engaged with your content.

Their services include marketing, distribution, delivery, recording and script and narration guidance. If you want to narrate your own book, then you have that option because they have studios around the world. 

They are best suited towards authors who want a full service experience, since things like marketing are included, meaning this may not be the best fit if you want to outsource promotion to another company. 

6. Deyan Audio

With over 30 years of experience in audiobook production, Deyan Audio provides an extremely comprehensive list of done-for-you services that help to optimise your content, with their full package option including more unique options like direction, reformatting, overall management and pronunciation research. 

With this company you are paying PFH rather than a flat rate, meaning that full ownership of your audiobook stays with you, and pay around $460–$750 per hour for full production. You also have the option of paying for individual services, like audio editing ($75 PFH), quality control ($50 PFH), and mastering ($25 PFH), plus distribution benefits through their partnership with Author's Republic where your royalty deal can be improved, making this a better fit for any business leader prioritizing individual upgrade options and paying for only what they need.

7. Novel Audio

Novel Audio is a production company that provides services for authors who are both published through traditional publishers and who are self-published, and take on both the production and distribution of the audiobook with connections to platforms like Nook and Audible. 

Novel Audio claims that they accept submissions so long as there are previous sales connected to your book. 

By partnering with Novel Audio, you will not be able to retain the audio rights to your book because they purchase them once they take on your project, meaning that you will have to relinquish control of your content, and there is no clear indication of whether you will receive royalties from the audiobook or if you will instead be granted an advance. 

8. Punch Audio

Punch Audio is a production company based in both Los Angeles and Florida, making them best suited to founders and authors based near either location if they want to be closely involved with the work being done in the studio. 

If you are looking to keep down costs while creating your audiobook, you are given the option to go in on their royalty share scheme as well.

You are able to maintain creative control over multiple aspects, including who will narrate the book, meaning that you can tailor the product to align with your brand image. If you want to narrate your own book the cost for around an hour of audio, or 10,000 words, ranges $600 - $725, while having a professional narrate ranges $575 - $750.  

9. ACX

ACX, or the Audiobook Creation Exchange, is a production marketplace made by Audible. While Audible does sometimes buy rights and produce audiobooks directly, ACX serves a different purpose: it's a marketplace connecting authors who want to keep ownership of their work with the narrators, engineers, and producers who can bring it to life. Think of ACX as the middle-man, not the buyer.

Something to keep in mind is that you will be responsible for reaching an agreement with these industry professionals about payment, which typically is a PFH rate or taking a share of the royalties, which could be up to half through the ACX royalty share program where you will have to also distribute your book only through ACX. 

Their other options for distribution include both non-exclusive and ACX exclusive, meaning you have to choose between distributing everywhere and gaining less of the royalties or distributing to only Audible, Apple and iTunes.

10. Author's Republic

Author’s Republic offers done-for-you and independent audiobook production services that allow you to be involved with creation process yourself, connecting you to and letting you audition narrators and then facilitating your exchanges and helping you to distribute the product, or connecting you with a production manager who takes over the entire process and does things like finding a narrator and editing the audiobook for you. 

The cost typically ranges from $150 - $400 PFH, and Author’s Republic receives part of your audiobook’s revenue once it has been distributed through their channels. 

Since their services are focused primarily on aggregation of professionals like narrators, and customer support through the process, this company is best suited to independent authors, like up-and-coming entrepreneurs who are looking to find an accessible way to produce their content. 

11. Voices by INaudio (formerly Findaway Voices)

Voices by INaudio is an audiobook production company that optimises the process of audiobook creation and gives you the opportunity to widen your audience and turn your audiobook into an asset for your business. They do this by not only helping you to make and non-exclusively distribute your content, but by providing you with reports about the performance of your audiobook, and marketing tools and connections to help make your book more visible to your audience. 

The platform is independent, and many of the team members are former Findaway Voices industry professionals. 

Since they are not a traditional publisher, ownership stays with you, and you choose which distribution channels to use. As a newer platform though, Voices by INaudio is still limited in the production services that they can provide. 

The Big 5/Traditional Publishers 

If you want to partner with a traditional publisher, some of the top options include:

1. HarperCollins/Harper Audio

2. Macmillan Audio

3. Hachette Audio

4. Penguin Random House Audio

5. Simon & Schuster Audio

6. Brilliance Publishing

The main benefit of partnering with a traditional publisher is the increased possibility for media coverage, which can help you reach a wider audience and build authority in your field faster than going the independent route.

However, a publishing deal is extremely difficult to procure, and for audiobooks, the main distribution channels can be the same whether or not you partner with a publisher or a production company, meaning your content is still available to interested consumers. 

How to Choose the Right Audiobook Production Company or Publisher

With more than a dozen credible options above, the right choice comes down to answering a few honest questions about your priorities:

Do you want to keep full ownership of your work?

If yes, a production company is the right lane. Traditional publishers and companies like Novel Audio, which purchase rights, take that decision out of your hands.

Will you reuse the audio in your own marketing?

If your audiobook is going to fuel podcast clips, social content, or sales material, prioritize companies that let you keep full rights and don't restrict how you use the finished files.

Do you want one company handling everything, or are you comfortable managing a few vendors?

Full-service options like Jony Studios, Scribe Media, or John Marshall Media simplify the process into one relationship. Marketplaces like ACX or Author's Republic can save money but require more of your own time managing narrators and logistics.

What's your budget and timeline?

PFH-based companies like Deyan Audio let you pay only for the specific services you need, while flat-fee, full-service options offer more predictability if you'd rather not estimate hours in advance.

There's no universally "best" answer here, only the best fit for what you're trying to build.

Conclusion 

The right audiobook partner comes down to one trade-off: how much control you want to keep versus how much you want handled for you. Marketplaces like ACX reward authors willing to manage the process themselves. Traditional publishers offer reach in exchange for giving up rights and creative say. Full-service production companies sit in between, and for founders and business authors specifically, that middle ground usually wins, since it lets you keep ownership of the content while still getting a polished, professional result you can put to work in your marketing.

If you want that experience without piecing together multiple vendors, Jony Studios handles production and full distribution in one place, built specifically for entrepreneurs and business leaders turning their book into a growth asset.

Written by Eva Geimer