Building social networks around college textbooks has already showed promising results, and now Simon & Schuster had developed a book-focused social networking site for teens aged 14 to 18 called Pulse It. Site members can read one book a month online for free. S&S says books “will be a combination of titles that have just been released or are soon-to-be published.” Participants earn points for reviews and other posts and site actions, and can win free books and other prizes. Simon & Schuster says the site was a natural outgrowth of their Pulse It Advisory Board, which provided 3,000 teens […]
Everything Is Amazonated
At least once daily. Today in Amazon’s world, their latest acquisition is iPhone app maker SnapTell–the bane of physical retailers, whose app takes a picture of physical goods like books and then connects you to the online price and availability. SnapTell says on their blog, “One of the most heard requests was how we could integrate better with Amazon’s fabulous shopping experience.” In an e-mail reproduced on TechCrunch, Amazon has warned affiliates in North Carolina under their Associates program that if the state legislature passes a new sales tax law shortly as expected, “that would leave Amazon.com little choice but […]
New Appointments at Ingram, and Other Announcements
Following the broad merging of Ingram’s units into a single integrated Content Group, ceo David “Skip” Prichard has named Ingram executive Phil Ollila as chief content officer. He will oversee publisher services, comprising Lightning Source, CoreSource, the marketing group, and their distribution operation, Ingram Publisher Services. Lightning Source president David Taylor will be responsible for all publisher content acquisition activities, and Mark Ouimet becomes general manager of Ingram Publisher Services. Shawn Everson will serve as chief commercial officer, leading their businesses focused on library and retail channels. Rich Rosy will take over the library businesses, including Ingram Library Services, MyiLibrary, […]
Judge Blocks Unauthorized 60 Years Later In Temporary Order
US District Judge Deborah Batts issued a temporary restraining order preventing publication for at least the next 10 days of “JD California” (Frederik Colting’s) book (originally called a sequel to Catcher in the Rye), finding “substantial similarities” to the original novel. She said “I’ll issue a written decision as quickly as I can.” Batts was highly dubious in the initial hearing that Colting’s book offers any protected commentary or parody. “Let me be clear,” she said. “I am having difficulty seeing that it exists” at all. Colting’s attorney Edward Henry Rosenthal “did not dispute that the character is meant to […]
Penguin Launches Online Videos
Penguin Group has launched a mini-site called From the Publisher’s Office that presents promotional videos in four “series” (Tarcher Talks; Penguin Storytime; YA Central; and Project Paranormal); a selection of standing audio “programs”; and online browsing samples from selected books. Most of the content “is created, written, shot, edited and produced by more than 30 Penguin Group executives and department team members who are closest to the content.” Among them, CEO David Shanks composed and performs two songs for Penguin Storytime, where his wife Liz, a former librarian, is hosting and producing a read-aloud program. Shanks tells the AP, “I […]
People and Announcements
Borders continues the tradition of bolstering their executive team with people from outside of publishing. They have hired Arthur Keeney as svp of marketing, starting at the end of June, reporting to Anne Kubek. He was general manager for eight years at Harold Friedman, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based grocery store chain, and previously worked with Borders ceo Ron Marshall at grocer Nash Finch. Among the areas he will oversee is Borders.com, where he will run a search “for a new leader at the vice president level.” Rich Fahle is moving from that role to the new position of vp creative, outreach […]