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  • Bestseller Brief | 🎉 Auckland Writers Fest = 1,000+ Sales in One Week

Bestseller Brief | 🎉 Auckland Writers Fest = 1,000+ Sales in One Week

Plus, Fospha’s $500M analysis shows full-funnel Google wins for book retailers.

Author

Sophie Bruxner-Randall
May 28, 2025 ‱ Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

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Welcome to Bestseller Brief, your essential newsletter for book, publishing and media professionals.

New Research 🧐

Google's YouTube and Demand Gen are soaring as the fastest-growing Google Ad channels year-over-year. Why are brands betting big on them in 2025?

Fospha's analysis of over $500M in ad spend across hundreds of brands reveals why. From accelerated revenue growth, to boosted Amazon sales and higher AOV - brands going full-funnel in Google are winning big.

For the full research and a step-by-step guide to maximizing these channels, download the free resource now!

Sector Spotlight đŸŽ„

BOOK MARKET TRENDS

The latest New York Times Best Sellers list for May 25, 2025, highlights fiction and nonfiction titles with strong consumer traction, underlining real-time reader interests across print and digital formats. Marketers in publishing and retail benefit by leveraging these insights for audience targeting, promotional timing, and campaign effectiveness.

BOOK MARKET TRENDS

The Spin Off

Unity Books’ Auckland bestseller chart showcases how live events like the Auckland Writers Festival directly impact book sales, propelling local titles such as Catherine Chidgey’s “The Book of Guilt” past 1,000 annual sales. Marketers should note the tangible influence of cultural events on consumer demand and media coverage, especially for indie or regional brands. Data demonstrates that timely engagement with local moments can produce measurable spikes, reinforcing the relevance of real-time event-driven campaigns.

ENTERTAINMENT ADAPTATIONS

Alex Aster’s bestselling rom-com, Summer in the City, is being adapted for film by New Line Cinema, reflecting the growing influence of viral book-to-screen pipelines driven by social media-fueled audiences. Marketers should note the powerful synergy between bestselling fiction, viral BookTok engagement, and mainstream media adaptation as cross-channel leverage opportunities. With Aster executive producing, this project highlights author-driven brand development and audience crossover potential, underscoring actionable strategies for content-driven campaigns targeting engaged digital communities.

LITERARY EXCELLENCE

Ocean Vuong’s "The Emperor of Gladness" explores themes of survival, empathy, and transformation among marginalized individuals, notably through the relationship between a young caretaker and an elderly widow. The novel’s nuanced depiction of societal fringes and second chances holds particular relevance for marketers seeking insight into narratives that emotionally resonate with audiences, fostering deeper brand engagement. Vuong’s formal and syntactic ingenuity further demonstrates how authentic storytelling can drive meaningful connections within modern marketing campaigns.

Influencer Corner đŸ“Ł

Sometimes, it takes a random viral TikTok to remind us how much the rules of brand interaction have changed. | JoĂŁo Afonso Parra

I recently came across a video (https://lnkd.in/dDgua4AZ) in which a regular user challenged brands to comment on her video during a 3-hour flight, and the response was remarkable.

Within hours, leading brands from multiple sectors flooded the comments section with creative, brand-aligned messages that not only generated massive engagement, but also showcased a new dimension of real-time marketing.

👉 TikTok stands out as the most algorithmically democratic social platform today. Visibility depends less on follower count and more on the relevance, creativity, and resonance of the message.

Still at The Lead Summit? Don’t miss this 👇

The Lead Summit is underway—and our exclusive drinks reception is happening tomorrow.

We’re bringing together some of the smartest minds in commerce for one evening of sharp conversation and good wine in NYC’s FiDi district.

⏱ Thursday, 29 May | 4:30 PM (evening of Day 2)
📍 Wine Bar just 15 mins walk from TLS conference venue – exact location shared upon RSVP Confirmation

Have a look at some of the brands that joined us before:

Optimization Hub ⚙

INNOVATIVE AD STRATEGIES

Google’s Performance Max updates provide marketers with in-campaign asset AB testing, support for up to 10,000 negative keywords, and a comprehensive Search Terms Report—transforming campaign optimization and control. These features are essential for eCommerce professionals seeking granular campaign management and actionable data-driven decision-making.

DIGITAL AD PREFERENCES

Adobe’s survey reveals that UK audiences are more skeptical of influencers and less responsive to emotional ads compared to the US, yet video remains the most effective ad format in both markets. US consumers have a higher propensity to act immediately on ads, while ad blockers are primarily used to minimize pop-ups. Marketers targeting these regions should prioritize video content and humor, and adjust influencer and emotional messaging based on regional trust levels.

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