MAIN NEWS HEADLINES
June 21 – June 28, 2006 Edition
Simon & Schuster, Rodale
Among First Publishers
To Add Video Promos
NEW YORK, NY/6/19/07-Simon & Schuster and Rodale are among the first publishers to offer video clips of their authors, following a similar example set by Random House.
Simon & Schuster announced on June 14 that it had joined Internet video company TurnHere, Inc. to unveil the first wave of online videos showcasing Simon & Schuster authors and sneak-previews of new releases.
In a separate effort, Rodale launched its video-backed publicity campaign for The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook: 77 Essential Skills to Stop Climate Changeor Live Through It, by David De Rothschild.
Simon & Schuster
Simon & Schuster will feature its branded videos on branded YouTube ( http://www.youtube.com/bookvideostv) platform and on Bookvideos.tv ( http://www.bookvideos.tv), a new online video channel dedicated to books and author personalities. The channels will be cross-promoted and linked to a number of sites across the Web and the videos will also be available at SimonSays.com.
Simon & Schuster and TurnHere first announced their online video initiative last month. The branded channels feature authors from each of the company’s divisions, including Adult, Children’s and Audio. Viewers will see two minute feature pieces focusing on the behind-the-scenes stories of authors’ lives, the content of their books, and the inspirations for their latest works. A few of the many bestselling and well-known authors participating in the initial launch are Sandra Brown, Jennifer Chiaverini, Philippa Gregory, James Loewen, Santa Montefiore, Kathy Reichs, Blair Underwood, Jeannette Walls, Marianne Wiggins and Zane, and the Newbery Medal winning children’s author Susan Patron. Authors featured in upcoming videos include President Jimmy Carter, Carol Higgins Clark, Mary Higgins Clark, Vince Flynn, Ursula Hegi, Jennifer Weiner, and children’s authors Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi, John Lithgow, and Scott Westerfeld.
“By incorporating online video into our marketing efforts at Bookvideos.tv and elsewhere, we are able to provide our readers with unprecedented access to their favorite authors, foster lasting emotional connections and create dedicated fans,” said Sue Fleming, Vice President, Online and Consumer Marketing for the Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group. “Working with TurnHere broadens our reach across the Web, taps into new audiences and provides an experience for readers that is just plain fun.”
“Online video has emerged as a very emotionally compelling medium for publishers looking to create a dedicated network of readers and extend their brand across the Web,” said Bradley J. Inman, founder and CEO of TurnHere. “Together, our global filmmaker network, online video production expertise and Web distribution capabilities provide Simon & Schuster with an opportunity to engage an online community of readers like never before.”
About Simon & Schuster
Simon & Schuster, Inc., a part of the CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital, and international companies in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our website at www.simonsays.com.
About TurnHere, Inc.
TurnHere, Inc. is a digital media company that creates broadcast-quality online videos. Its network of more than 2000 professional filmmakers worldwide produce authentic, engaging films for a wide-range of clients including major hotel chains, large banks, real estate companies, restaurants, colleges, small businesses, and media and publishing companies. The videos are accessible on the Internet through its consumer site, www.turnhere.com, as well as through distribution relationships with Google Earth, Google Local, Google Video, MSN Video, Yahoo! Video, and other major Web portals. Companies can also use the films internally and externally for strategic marketing initiatives, sales and business development opportunities, and corporate training. Founded in 2005, TurnHere is based in Emeryville, Calif.
Rodale 360 Program
In separate news this week, Rodale is well underway with its Rodale 360 program, which incorporates authors and their content across all of the company’s platforms, including author interviews, chats, blogs, and video on both its own site and on sites of its business partners. The health and wellness company is using the 360 marketing muscle to promote a new June 26 title, The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook: 77 Essential Skills to Stop Climate Changeor Live Through It, by David De Rothschild. Rodale will have publicity and tie-ins with MSNBC, NBC and CNBC, and other television and radio stations. A video of the author about his reasons for writing the book will appear on Amazon.
At Rodale, publisher Liz Perl said the promotion for Live Earth will include getting companies that advertise in its magazines to integrate the book into their own marketing programs. Rodale’s 360 program features a $2,000 sweepstakes give-away and two tickets to the Alliance for Climate protection to be held July 7, with founder Al Gore participating. The book will be the official symbol for a series of worldwide concerts benefiting the Alliance. The initial print run for Live Earth will be 200,000 copies and proceeds form the sale of the book will go to the alliance for Climate Protection.
About Rodale
As a global content company in health and wellness, Rodale reaches more than 40 million people in 59 countries each month through its category-leading media properties and integrated marketing solutions and is one of the largest direct-to-consumer businesses. Rodale’s nine magazine properties, all veteran publications in their categories, include the brands Prevention, Men’s Health and Runner’s World, as well as Women’s Health, Organic Gardening, Backpacker, Best Life, Bicycling and Mountain Bike. Today Rodale magazines are published in 48 countries.
Rodale also publishes highly acclaimed books on health, fitness, cooking, gardening, spirituality, nature and more.
