Ink Across Borders

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Ink Across Borders

By: The 2024 Whitman London Core

We recently had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Toby Faber, the Chairman of Faber Music and grandson of the founder of Faber Publishing. As our SOM 354 class, "Managing in a Global Setting," delved into the intricacies of contemporary publishing and managing a renowned UK company, Toby graciously shared insights into his role in steering Faber & Faber through the currents of today's ever-evolving business landscape.

During our visit, the Faber Music offices proved to be a gallery of artistic history in addition to a functional office. The boardroom, decorated with filled walls of records, sheet music and awards, provided a backdrop for our discussion on the dynamic nature of publishing. We learned about the vital role of contracts in the publishing realm, the legal frameworks that govern the industry, and the art of nurturing client-publisher relationships. It was also a fascinating exploration into the delicate balance of maintaining creative integrity of one’s clients while adapting to the evolving regulations that shape the world of publishing, especially when your clients range from authors like Austen to composers such as Bach. For our musical lovers in the group, it was quite neat to learn that one of Faber’s first editors was T.S. Eliot and how his Book of Practical Cats has led to such longevity, spanning both the literary and music publishing sides of the Faber business.

What stood out the most in our conversation with Toby and their office environment was the familial business pride. It became evident that Faber is not merely a business entity but a living, breathing testament to the transformative power of words and music. It was a pleasure to explore the unique global practice of publishing and see how our Whitman learnings apply to this industry!

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