Meet Matthew Gain: Orchestrating Global Success in Audiobook and Podcast Innovation

“The world is full of amazing stories, my goal at Audible is to unleash the power of the spoken word, so more of those stories can be told.”

From the dynamic heart of Berlin, Matthew Gain stands out as an exceptional international leader in his role as Senior Vice President and Head of Audible’s Europe business.

Matthew’s career is highlighted by remarkable growth, innovation, and influence. In 2016, he commenced his journey with Amazon company, Audible – the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling and has millions of customers globally - as Director and Country Manager of Audible Australia. Prior to this, Matthew was General Manager, and then COO of one of the world’s largest PR Agencies, Edelman.

Matthew was quickly elevated to Director and Senior Vice-President of Audible’s APAC, as well as Japan and India. Under his leadership, Audible’s Japan business was transformed from a loss-making venture to a profitable business unit that achieved triple-digit revenue growth. He also led a new market expansion into India, introducing a tailored free service offering audio entertainment in Hindi, and a spectrum of Indian languages.

Today, as Head of Audible’s European business, Matthew leads a diverse team of over 300 professionals hailing from more than four countries. Evidence of his ability to drive financial business outcomes, he has guided Audible Europe to success, with revenues reaching substantial figures - and embarked on a substantial reorganisation of Audible's European business, merging formerly separate country teams into a unified European force. This transformation paved the way for a revitalised leadership team consisting of much-needed cultural and gender diversity.

“I am a big believer in the effectiveness of teams that represent the full spectrum of the human experience. I’ve made it a mission of mine to make sure that the management teams I sit on have real diversity at their heart.”

His commitment extends to championing women's leadership, with the leadership team now containing 50% women,  which is a stark contrast to the less than 10% representation before his tenure.

Matthew's advocacy for diversity resonates as a foundation of his leadership ethos. Since taking up his current role in Germany, he has been instrumental in elevating voices that often go unheard in mainstream media.

“The world is full of amazing stories, my goal at audible is to unleash the power of the spoken word, so more of those stories can be told… I want to create space to ensure we are telling stories that are underrepresented and not typically heard in the mainstream media.”

Beyond this, under Matthew’s leadership Audible has created and funded hundreds of original podcasts and audiobooks under the company’s Audible Originals banner. Audible Originals commissioned under Matthew’s leadership include content partnerships with mainstream entertainment brands like Marvel, Disney and DC Comics and exclusive content created with the likes of Nicholas Sarkozy (former French President) and tennis pro Rafael Nadal.

Matthew's exceptional leadership and the remarkable accomplishments of his team have earned the Audible team a multitude of accolades, including the esteemed Walkley Award for Media Diversity in Australia -  evidence of the transformative impact Matthew and his team are having on the podcast and audiobook landscape.

Anchored in his Novocastrian identity, Matthew credits his time at the University of Newcastle as being foundational to his leadership style today.

“My career has been shaped in so many ways by the University of Newcastle. Newcastle is a very egalitarian place and I think that’s been a great bedrock to grow my international career. The lack of ego has really set me up for coming into rooms recognising that I’m no better or worse than anybody else in that room. That approach has made a big difference in integrating into various cultures all over the world.”

Matthew Gain's leadership journey exemplifies the profound impact a visionary leader can have on an organisation and the communities it serves. His unwavering commitment to diversity, inclusion, and amplifying underrepresented voices has not only transformed Audible into a global powerhouse but also earned him accolades and recognition across the industry.