finding your best strategy for digital asset distribution
DESCRIPTION
Publishers who want to maximize the sale of their ebooks must start with finding the right Digital Asset Distributor as a bridge to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the many ebook retailers who make up the digital retail channel. Learn about the leading companies used by book publishers to reach bring their titles to market, as well as strategies and best practices to make the most of your digital partners.TRANSCRIPT
Finding Your Best Strategy for Digital Asset Distribution
Digital Book World Publishing Services Conference September 26th, 2013NYC
Who I am/what I do
Business development consultant 30 years publishing experience Business application of new
technologies Launched dozens of new business
initiatives Raw startups to large corporations
Who I am/What I do
In the Beginning…
May 2007
November 2007
What is a Digital Asset Distributor (DAD)?
What is a Digital Asset Distributor (DAD)?
A DAD: Ingests finished files & associated
metadata Stores finished files & associated
metadata Distributes finished files & associated
metadata Plus all sorts of other stuff…
A DAD May Also Offer…
Conversion services Editorial production services Title management Validation (ingestion & distribution) Consolidation & normalization of sales
files Reporting & business intelligence Best Practices & consulting services Marketing services
From Promotions to eGalleys, to SEO/SEM, etc., etc., etc.
Three Models: Differing Levels of Service
Storage and Distribution of Files Only Publisher maintains direct relationship with
retailer (limited DAD services)
The “Wholesale” Model DAD manages retailer contracts, sales
files, collects payments, etc.
Full Suite of Digital (and Print) Services Services may include pretty much
anything a publishers do
Storage & Distribution Model
Pros: Closer to your market partners Retain more revenue Control more of technology
environmentCons: Works best for larger publishers Requires more resources to
maintain High cost of keeping related
technology up-to-date
Wholesale Model
Pros: Benefit from DAD’s scale & clout Integrated suite of services/shared best
practices You can focus more on what you do bestCons: Difficult to pursue “best of breed”
strategy Service provider may not fit your business Partner may take a share of transactions
Full Service Model
Pros: More robust version of wholesale
model Easy access to wide range of services Most attractive to smaller (and
smallest) publishersCons: Risk of being lost in the shuffle Must use service “as is” Possibly thinner margins
Considerations for Publishers
How much reach do you need? How much control do you need? How much support do you need What additional services do you need? What do you do best?
Who are the DADs?
Leading DADs
Ingram CoreSource LibreDigital [HARVEST] Firebrand Content Services Perseus Constellation INscribe Digital codeMantra Collection Point
Ingram CoreSource
Vital Statistics: 2,500+ Publishers 430,000+ Titles 250+ Channel Partners
Representative Customers Penguin Worldwide, Elsevier SMT & Health,
Workman
Why to Buy: The easiest and most reliable way to reach a
global digital market
LibreDigital [HARVEST]
Vital Statistics: 100+ Publishers 250,000+ Titles 95+ Channel Partners
Representative Customers HarperCollins, Harlequin, Scholastic (Storia
Platform)
Why to Buy: Next generation platform that combines
highly-automated processes with a very flexible user interface.
Firebrand Content Services
Vital Statistics: 35+ Publishers 60,000+ Titles 225 Channel Partners
Representative Customers Simon & Schuster, Globe Pequot, Press, The
MIT Press
Why to Buy: Fully-integrated print and digital publishing
management platform offering “extraordinary” levels of automation
Perseus Constellation
Vital Statistics: 400+ Publishers 20,000+ Titles 40+ Channel Partners
Representative Customers Grove/Atlantic, Regnery, Harvard Business
Review Press
Why to Buy: One stop shop for global print and digital
services for independent publishers
INscribe Digital
Vital Statistics: 250+ Publishers 20,000+ Titles 20+ Channel Partners
Representative Customers Courier/Dover, Arcadia, Samuel French, Nancy
Oates Literary Agency
Why to Buy: Fast, flexible solution that removes the
complexity of the process for authors, agents, and publishers of all sizes.
codeMantra Collection Point
Vital Statistics: 40+ Publishers 23 Channel Partners
Representative Customers Oxford University Press, Bloomsbury
Publishing, International Monetary Fund
Why to Buy: Comprehensive, hosted, digital conversion and
distribution services
Some Thoughts on Digital Channel Management
Virtuous Cycles in the Digital Channel
Digital Operations
Visibility
Control
Automation
Channel Management
Business Intelligence
Channel Managem
ent
Distribution
Digital Marketing
Monitor Results
Assess Results
Adjust Feeds
Introducing our Panelists
Michael McGinnissSVP of Digital Technology ServicesHarperCollins Publishers
Andrea Fleck-NisbetExecutive Director, Digital PublishingWorkman Publishing
Steve KasdinDirector of Digital StrategyCurtis Brown, Ltd
