Zondervan Sells Digital Products Direct
by Lynn Garrett, Religion BookLine -- Publishers Weekly, 8/8/2007
Zondervan has launched its eZondervan site, which will sell books and other products direct to consumers in digital formats. Purchasers can either download the products or request that they be burned to a CD, which would then be mailed to them.
Executive v-p and publisher Scott Bolinder, who heads the project, was traveling and unavailable for interview, but RBL spoke with Joe Sherman, v-p of pastor and church engagement, who is one of the leaders of the eZondervan initiative.
Sherman confirmed that the project signals a significant step for Zondervan's parent. "HarperCollins has expressed strong desire and interest in moving forward in this arena," he said. "They are looking for ways to monetize digital content throughout the company." Thus far digital content delivery mostly has been confined to marketing communications materials—samples, free clips, free chapters. Said Sherman, "To our knowledge [Zondervan] is the first [HarperCollins company] to offer complete online, downloadable products for sale in digital formats." Prices are lower than for the corresponding print product: for example, $11.99 for a reference product and $6.99 for a devotional. There is an additional charge of $5 if the purchaser requests a CD.
Zondervan was quick to announce that a retailers' program is also in the works. "We want to involve everyone and not alienate anyone," said Sherman, who expects the retailer component to roll out in the next 12 to 18 months. "Retailers could offer these products either in the store or on their Web sites. They would be co-branded products," with stores having their name featured on in-store kiosks and CDs, he said.
Initially the eZondervan products will include ministry resources, reference titles, Bible translations and some select inspirational books powered by Pradis, a software developed by Zondervan that has searchability and other special features. More products will be added monthly, including eventually audio, video, eBooks and online Bible study subscriptions.
Sherman agreed that Zondervan provides an ideal way for HarperCollins to begin. "These are task/need-oriented products," he said, for which the company already has customers in place. Zondervan is using its Churchsource department—which sells direct to churches—and its pastors' conferences to get the word out, as well as catalogues, direct mail and e-mail.
