Reporting US$2.62 billion in 2018 revenue, China’s sprawling Phoenix Publishing & Media already has deals in 30 countries and wants to get only bigger.
UK’s Publishers Association Leads ‘Axe the Reading Tax’ Campaign
With Brexit looming larger as the UK’s new government takes charge, the publishing industry steps up its drive to drop the VAT on ebooks and digital content
The Bookseller Names 2019 Rising Stars; Pan Mac’s Laura Ricchetti is the ‘Shooting Star’
A new class of 40 ‘Rising Stars’ in the UK publishing industry is named by The Bookseller, in association with sponsor Frankfurter Buchmesse.
Kenya’s Tonee Ndungu of Kytabu: ‘Enriching Curriculum Content’
The challenge of building young readers in Kenya is being addressed by Kytabu, a platform not just for students but also for parents and ‘super schools.’
Wattpad Books: The Next Stage in the Platform’s Content Development
Under the aegis of Ashleigh Gardner, Wattpad Studios’ deputy general manager for publishing, the reading and writing platform at last has announced the development of its own publishing wing, Wattpad Books.
Industry Notes: Hay Festival Wales Tickets, Wattpad’s India Office
The original Hay Festival opens ticket sales on events in its 2019 Wales program, as Wattpad announces the establishment of a country office in India.
Education Publishers Push Digital Content as the New School Year Begins
A study commissioned by Ingram finds that students delay or avoid purchasing expensive textbooks. Education publishers respond with digital textbooks.
McGraw-Hill Opens Ebook, Textbook Rentals with B&N Education, MBS, Chegg
Promising as much as 70-percent savings over ‘the costs of traditional bound print textbooks,’ McGraw-Hill Education is teaming with Barnes & Noble Education. MBS Textbook Exchange and Chegg on an ebook and textbook rental program.
Learning Platforms for Kids and Adults: Animal Jam Titles and VitalSource
Two new titles have entered National Geographic Kids’ Animal Jam series, and Ingram’s VitalSource Content Experience Platform surpasses 1 million users.
Upcoming Publishing Events: Paris, Singapore, Philadelphia, London
As the post-Frankfurt publishing conference season rolls on, here are notes on several publishing events in Europe, Asia, and North America.