Maven House Press acquires U.S. rights to Jorma Ollila’s bestselling insider story of Nokia

Ollila_Mahdoton menestys_kansiWe are delighted to announce that Maven House Press has acquired U.S. rights to Against All Odds (Otava 2013), legendary CEO Jorma Ollila’s autobiography and first-person account of the rise and fall of Nokia, for publication in 2016.

“We’re excited to be publishing legendary CEO Jorma Ollila’s compelling memoir. The book offers an insightful account of Nokia and the mobile revolution, but just as important Ollila’s riveting stories are filled with lessons about the nature of leadership, the importance of shared values, and the need for strategic thinking.”
– Jim Pennypacker, Publisher, Maven House Press

An independent publisher specializing in forward-thinking business books by executives, business owners, educators, journalists and other experts, Maven House Press was founded in 2012. Its titles are distributed by Perseus Books Group.

Against All Odds, co-authored by Harri Saukkomaa, was Finland’s bestselling narrative nonfiction title in 2013, and was selected as one of the year’s most fascinating books by the influential Suomen kuvalehti magazine. It has sold tens of thousands of copies since its publication. Contact the Agency for a full English text!

About Against All Odds:

Jorma Ollila, CEO of Nokia from 1992 to 2006, turned the company into the world’s leading mobile phone manufacturer. The book narrates Ollila’s personal and professional journey, exploring the fine line between stratospheric success and catastrophic failure, the nature of leadership – and the human element of business, including encounters with figures such as Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. The book has been translated into English by Richard Powell.

Praise for Against All Odds:

“Ollila prepared his autobiography for ten years. Journalist Harri Saukkomaa has turned it into an entertaining story in the strongest possible bestseller style. This biography is a meticulously polished diamond.”
– Columnist Unto Hämäläinen, Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, Finland

“A well-written book that reflects both the rapid ascent of success and the agony of profit warnings…the book sparks conversation of Nokia’s rise and of its descent ‒ and like all good autobiographies, also of the personality of the author.”
Savon Sanomat newspaper, Finland

“Clearly and flowingly written, [Against All Odds] is a story of how Jorma Ollila views Nokia….An overarching theme is his appreciation for hard work and learning, which he learned from home. He approaches knowledge and science with great humility.”
Helsingin sanomat newspaper, Finland

“Ollila’s biography paints a portrait of a hardworking and forward-looking man.
Suomen kuvalehti magazine, Finland (“Books of the Year 2013”)

RIGHTS SOLD:
Original publisher: FINLAND, Otava
ESTONIA, Äripäev (Bonnier)
UNITED STATES, Maven House Press

Reading material:
Full English text
Finnish edition
English synopsis

Contact: info@ahlbackagency.com

About author


Jorma Ollila

Jorma Ollila became the pre-eminent European businessman of his generation during his time as CEO of Nokia Corporation from 1992 to 2006. Ollila currently works as Chairman of the Board of Directors at Royal Dutch Shell and at Outokumpu. He has master’s degrees in economics from the London School of Economics, in engineering from the Helsinki University of Technology and in political science from the University of Helsinki.

Against All Odds: My Emotional Journey with Nokia (Mahdoton menestys: Kasvun paikkana Nokia, Otava 2013), Ollila’s autobiography of the company that created a global mobile revolution, was 2013’s bestselling narrative nonfiction book in Finland, and was selected as one of the year’s most fascinating books by the influential Suomen kuvalehti magazine.

Harri Saukkomaa, co-author of Against all Odds, is a well-known media expert, entrepreneur and author of several nonfiction books.

Bibliography


2013, General Nonfiction, Memories & Biographies

Against All Odds: Leading Nokia from Near Catastrophe to Global Success

Jorma Ollila