How the global author and reading platform uses Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to identify among millions of uploaded stories what has the highest potential, in which format and with which target audience. And why at the same time Wattpad has decided to launch its own publishing venture.
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As Deputy General Manager, Wattpad Studios, Publishing, Ashleigh Gardner works with writers and publishers around the world to turn Wattpad stories into books. Under Ashleigh’s leadership, the Wattpad Books team is reshaping the publishing industry, leveraging data and insights from more than 500 million story uploads on Wattpad to find future best-sellers. In addition to publishing stories under the Wattpad Books division, Ashleigh creates meaningful promotional and editorial partnerships with publishers around the world.
@AshleighGardner just introducing @wattpad and their Story DNA Machine Learning technology to us. It's super thrilling. 🔥 #pf19 #Wattpad #publishing #MachineLearning #business #berlin pic.twitter.com/h5tb7D8uiM
— Phillip (@hyaenasson) 10. Mai 2019
#PF19 @PublishersForum #Berlin Ruediger @wischenbart now is handing off to @AshleighGardner, the deputy managing director of @Wattpad Studios, the leading edge in the huge platform’s growth int development of content to the screens.
— Porter Anderson (@Porter_Anderson) 10. Mai 2019
#PF19 @PublishersForum #Berlin @wischenbart @AshleighGardner confirms the @wattpad user base to be at 70 million monthly, most under 30 years, and she describes the platform as being what @instagram is for photos but for text and storytelling.
— Porter Anderson (@Porter_Anderson) 10. Mai 2019
#PF19 @PublishersForum #Berlin @wischenbart @AshleighGardner "Today, 1 in 3 girls in the USA has a @wattpad account" (the platform's audience is primarily female). Some of the newest partnerships are with @SonyPictures Television and @BavariaFiction
— Porter Anderson (@Porter_Anderson) 10. Mai 2019
#PF19 @PublishersForum #Berlin @wischenbart @AshleighGardner of @wattpad : "We want to be sure we're acquiring stories of growing interest" rather than of a trend that's no longer current. The company uses AI — calling it their "story DNA" process — to surface material. pic.twitter.com/lHMYQuvrku
— Porter Anderson (@Porter_Anderson) 10. Mai 2019
#PF19 @PublishersForum #Berlin @wischenbart @AshleighGardner of @Wattpad: "When we remove the activity in urban centers, we can get a very different list of material" that may be pertinent to underserved parts of the population.
— Porter Anderson (@Porter_Anderson) 10. Mai 2019
#PF19 @PublishersForum #Berlin @wischenbart @AshleighGardner of @wattpad mentions the new Wattpad Books development that is publishing titles of its own to leverage content that hasn't found a home with other publishers. https://t.co/NYJgGO70Dv
— Porter Anderson (@Porter_Anderson) 10. Mai 2019
#PF19 @PublishersForum #Berlin @AshleighGardner of @wattpad talks about how the platform was able toleverage marketing in support of the newly released @aftermovie , the film based on @annatodd's first major hit from the platform. https://t.co/3eHPMRdQ9H
— Porter Anderson (@Porter_Anderson) 10. Mai 2019
#PF19 @PublishersForum #Berlin @AshleighGardner of @wattpad is asked whether the platform's use of data in its surfacing of content can be used to produce predictive data that effectively spots trends (much as @Sara_Sargent is doing). Gardner says the capability is growing.
— Porter Anderson (@Porter_Anderson) 10. Mai 2019
