Writer. Founder.
Don Katz is the founder of Audible, Inc., where he led Audible from an idea to a vast global media service and brand over 26 years. Prior to that, he was an award-winning journalist and author.
Don Interviewed by TIME Magazine
Don reflected on the last two-and-a-half decades: from leaving a writing career to kickstart an audiobooks industry that did not yet exist; taking Audible from a public company into an Amazon subsidiary; and moving the company to Newark at a time when other companies were fleeing the city. [6 min. read]
Pen America Names Don Its Business Visionary Honoree
At the 2022 PEN America Gala, Don was celebrated as the Business Visionary Honoree. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker introduced Don, and underscored Don’s decades-long commitment to Newark and the spoken word. [21 min. video]
Watch Julianne Moore Introduce Don Katz at the Gotham Awards
Don received the Gotham Film & Media Institute Innovator Tribute during the 32nd annual Gotham Awards Ceremony in New York City on November 28, 2022. Academy Award-winning actress Julianne Moore presented the award and spoke about Don’s pioneering work with Audible. [9 min. video]
Outside Magazine Highlights Don Katz's Two Careers in a Feature and a Podcast Interview
Audible founder Don Katz sat down with Outside Magazine to talk about how "a love of words fueled his ambitions" initially as a journalist and author, and later as creator of what Outside called "one of the most successful tech and media startups of all time." In a feature and related podcast, Don reflected on Audible's beginnings through moving to the company to Newark in 2007, establishing the Global Center for Urban Innovation, founding Newark Venture Partners and more.
Don Inducted Into the New Jersey Hall of Fame
In November 2024, Don was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame, Class of 2024, alongside other noted New Jerseyans, including journalist Gay Talese, actors Meryl Streep and Paul Rudd, and former NY Giants quarterback Phil Simms. [6 min. video]
Don Interviewed on How I Built This with Guy Raz
“I kept going to people, who I otherwise respected, who thought I was crazy,” recalled Don on NPR’s How I Built This with Guy Raz. [1 hour, 17 min. listen]
