Penguin Random House

Formed in 2013 through the merger of Penguin and Random House—two publishing behemoths that probably saw the writing on the wall and decided to join forces rather than go gently into that good night—Penguin Random House has become the heavyweight champion of book publishing. Founded by the likes of Allen Lane in 1935 with Penguin and the legendary Bernhard Clask and William S. Random in 1927 with Random House, it's known for churning out both literary classics and commercial juggernauts with a single flick of its editorial wand. Its defining moment came with the acquisition of "Fifty Shades of Grey," proving that smut can be profitable and critically acclaimed all at once. The conglomerate is valued around $8 billion, thanks in part to a catalogue that boasts Nobel laureates and a cadre of bestsellers that could make a Pulitzer Prize committee weep in envy. Yet, for all its literary gravitas, it’s had its share of controversies—like when it faced backlash for pushing out smaller imprints and imposing its monolithic will on the publishing world. With figures like Markus Dohle at the helm, Penguin Random House continues to navigate the high seas of publishing, often leaving smaller competitors adrift in its wake.