One of the industry’s pioneering e-book publishers has announced that she is stepping down as chairman and executive publisher of the company she co-founded in 2009.

While Jane Friedman – previously, CEO at Harper Collins – steps away from Open Road Integrated Media, says Andrew Albanese, Publishers Weekly senior writer, it’s a good time to reflect on the state of e-books.

“Those who know Jane know that she brought to Open Road a reputation as an innovator—especially when it comes to marketing,” he tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally.

“In the early days of the e-book market, Jane saw the potential of e-books, and perhaps more importantly, she saw how the big publishers at that time weren’t themselves capable of seizing that potential,” Albanese notes.