Ten things we learned at the 2025 Spring Conference

Here are some of our takeaways from the main theatre sessions of a packed Spring Conference

1 ‘Statistics make the world add up’

The Conference opened with a keynote from Tim Harford, economist, journalist, author and host of popular Radio 4 show More or Less. In a world that’s awash with data, he encouraged publishers to approach it confidently and constructively. “Statistics are such an important way of understanding what's going on around us… It’s true they can be used to lie, but they can also be used to make the world add up.” He gave three tips for making best use of the numbers: stay calm and avoid reacting emotionally; pay attention to the context and sources; and be curious about what data might reveal when you explore it.

2 ‘There are opportunities but we have to adapt’

AI, a weak economy, censorship, HE funding, tariffs, Brexit, EU legislation, falling reading levels… a Conference leaders panel agreed there are many causes for concern in publishing in 2025. “It’s a very turbulent and alarming landscape,” said Bella Lacey of Granta. But there are solutions and positives too. “I still feel optimistic that there are opportunities—we just have to adapt,” said Karen Phillips of Sage. Working collaboratively will be crucial for independents, added Nosy Crow’s Kate Wilson. ”Together we are significantly stronger.”

3 ‘Copyright must be protected from AI’

A Conference panel discussed the seismic threat—and opportunities—of AI in publishing. For now, the priority is urging the government to understand publishers’ concerns about the future protection of copyright from AI-related infringement, and the high-profile CRAIC coalition and Make it Fair campaign have helped. “The government needs to step back and turn course, and we need to think of ways to apply pressure,” said Ed Newton-Rex of Fairly Minded. “Copyright is boring to most people, but it’s our job to emphasise how critical it is to our industries.” George Walkley, publishing and tech expert and leader of the IPG’s award-winning training in AI, said the industry was willing to engage: “Publishers aren’t luddites.” And Will Crook of PLS, who has helped lead the calls for proper licensing, added: “Creative industries are pro-AI and we want to work in partnership with the tech companies—but it has to be sustainable. Copyright must be respected and protected.”

4 ‘It’s never been more important to have a voice’

Keynote speaker Lewis Iwu gave publishers a masterclass in speaking and communicating—something that’s more important than ever in 2025. “It’s never been more important to have a voice, influence others and call out things that aren’t right.” It’s not easy, and nerves and impostor syndrome are common. View it as “competitive storytelling” and find which of four personality types suit you best: firebrand, statesperson, conversationalist or professor. Structuring your content really helps, he added. “Structure isn’t sexy, but if you want to take your speaking to the next level it’s probably the easiest thing to fix.”

5 ‘Data may be the most important job [in publishing]’

Dan Mucha of World of Books echoed Tim Harford’s views on the value of data in his session on selling more books online: “It may be the most important job [in publishing].” He set out the priorities of internet browsers and buyers: a wide range, good value, responsive service and an easy website experience. We need to understand how people find content and are then converted into buyers: “They’re all different and you can’t treat them the same way.” Above all, publishers must make sure books can be bought in the first place. “Publishers need to have every format available all of the time. None of the data matters if it’s not available.”

6 ‘Accessibility is an opportunity’

Several Conference sessions noted the importance of accessibility, and consultant Simon Mellins gave good advice for making content available to all—a task that has been made even more urgent by the European Accessibility Act. There are commercial as well as moral motivations, he said. “It’s not just about compliance… I encourage you to think of it as an opportunity.” Help is available, including via the Publishing Accessibility Action Group, and Simon will be leading the IPG’s new training in the subject; places can be booked now.

7 ‘We need to meet people where they are’

Several Conference sessions covered the need for discoverability—through metadata, libraries, social media and much more. It’s particularly important when reading rates are falling and competition from other media is rising. “If people aren’t reading as much then it’s up to us to meet them where they are,” said Myles Howard of Haymarket Books in a break-out on using YouTube. “It's about reaching people beyond the page and finding connection and conversation.” Justin Alvarez followed up with a session on targeting and reaching readers via the Ingram iD platform; IPG members can get a 10% discount until the end of May.

8 ‘We need to train the mind to be confident’

As with public speaking, it can be hard to build the resilience needed to move up the career ladder. But there are ways to build it. “The biggest barrier I see is a lack of self-belief and confidence—if you feel this then you’re not alone,” said executive and confidence coach Margaret Hewinson. “Just as we have to train the body to stay fit, we need to take the same approach to training the mind to stay confident.” Her session was followed by a taster session of new IPG training on effective leadership from Rebecca Smart, providing advice for inspiring and motivating others.

9 ‘Bluesky is all about authenticity’

Social media is a big topic in publishing, and the Conference got an exclusive look inside the hottest platform of the moment: Bluesky. Chief operating officer Rose Wang ran through the history and purpose of the business, which has gained 32 million users in its first year. “It’s been a wild ride—we never expected growth to happen like this,” she said. Bluesky aims to be a gateway to the internet’s content that developers and users can shape, and the golden rule for engagement is to stay true to your personality and values. “It’s all about authenticity… if you bring a LinkedIn-style, promotional presence you’ll get less love… bring your authentic self.”

10 ‘Be an ally for reading’

Author and Waterstones Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce got one of the warmest reactions of any Spring Conference after ending the first day with a rallying cry for the value of publishers, authors and libraries. He explained the lasting impact that books like Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are and Raymond Chandler’s The Big Sleep have had on his life. “Those books anchor me to very happy memories.” He pushed back against the influence of the internet, social media and AI on young people, and called on publishers to “be an ally” for books and reading for pleasure. You are the guardians of the most democratic tool we have,” he said. “You have to care about children’s books, even if you don’t publish them.”

Our Conference photo albums are here and here. You can take a look back at some of the Conference goings-on via the #ipgsc hashtag. There are reports from the Conference from The Bookseller here and from BookBrunch here, here and here.

Thank you to all our sponsors and exhibitors who supported the Spring Conference: to our longstanding gold sponsor Ingram Content Group, to our silver sponsors Klopotek, The London Book Fair and Publishers' Licensing Services, to our bronze sponsors Clio, Frankfurter Buchmesse, ProQuest, Publiship, World of Books and Zebralution. Thanks also to our exhibitors and media partners: Bookwire, Clays, CPI, Gardners, Hobbs, Immersive Publishing, Imprint Digital, Nielsen BookData, The Bookseller and BookBrunch.