|
Book Sense and Levenger Enter into Marketing
Partnership
Joint affiliate program, online and in print, to
launch this summer
April 17, 2003,
Tarrytown, NY- Book Sense - the branding campaign mounted
by the American Booksellers Association (ABA) - and Levenger, Inc.,
today announced the formation of a marketing partnership to
cross-promote websites and merchandise. Beginning in May, a link to
Levenger.com will appear on all BookSense.com templated websites -
approximately 250 sites - and sales resulting from these links will
earn participating booksellers an affiliate commission. At the same
time, Levenger will create an affiliate link to BookSense.com.
Later this year, the two
organizations will test the distribution of co-branded catalogs
through stores participating in Book Sense. The test will include
both in-store placement of catalogs, and direct mail to bookstore
customers. If the test is successful, the co-branded catalogs will
be made available to all participating stores in time for the
holiday season. As is the case in the online program, sales
resulting from the co-branded catalog will earn booksellers an
affiliate commission.
"We could not be more pleased with this
arrangement," said ABA Chief Executive Officer Avin Mark Domnitz.
"There is truly a natural synergy between the high quality products
sold by Levenger and the personal, professional service offered by
our members."
"Inspirational bookstores, run by passionate
booksellers, are one of things that makes life a joy. I am proud to
have Levenger join with stores participating in the Book Sense
program in our collaborative work of delighting American readers,"
said Steve Leveen, the co-founder and president of Levenger.
Levenger will also supply prizes for the Book Sense
Book of the Year finalists and winners. The Book Sense Book of the
Year award is given to authors in six categories (fiction,
non-fiction, children's literature, children's illustration,
paperback, and rediscovery), and represents the titles that
booksellers most enjoyed handselling the previous year. The awards
are announced at the Celebration of Bookselling event at BookExpo
America, taking place this year on May 30 in Los Angeles. Levenger
will give finalists and winners in each category beautiful
reading-related gifts, taken straight from the Levenger catalog. The
gifts will be presented to the finalists during a special luncheon
on the afternoon of the 30th, and to the winners at the awards
ceremony itself.
Mitchell Kaplan, owner of Books & Books in Coral
Gables, FL, and ABA's Vice President, noted that "this kind of
marketing relationship is why Book Sense and BookSense.com are of
such value to independent bookstores. Our ability to work with great
companies like Levenger when we act individually is, understandably,
limited. But when 1,200 stores speak with one voice, we become
attractive to potential partners."
ABOUT BOOK SENSE, INC.
A wholly
owned subsidiary of the American Booksellers Association, BSI
administers the Book Sense integrated marketing and branding
campaign. Book Sense seeks to build a national identity for
independent bookstores while celebrating the unique character of
each store; to create awareness of independent booksellers across
the country; and to underscore the collective strength of
independent booksellers to consumers. Key components of the Book
Sense program are the Book Sense Bestseller List, the Book Sense 76
Recommendations List, the Book Sense national gift certificate
program, and BookSense.com.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN BOOKSELLERS
ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1900, the American Booksellers
Association is a not-for-profit organization devoted to meeting the
needs of its core members of independently owned bookstores with
retail storefront locations through advocacy, education, research,
and information dissemination. The ABA actively supports free
speech, literacy, and programs that encourage reading. The ABA is
headquartered in Tarrytown, New York, and is located on the Web at
www.bookweb.org. The Association also hosts the annual ABA
Convention in conjunction with BookExpo America each spring.
ABOUT LEVENGER
Levenger offers
high-quality products for reading, writing and other rewarding
pursuits. Its catalog, Web site and Florida store feature a variety
of custom-designed reading tools, reading lamps and chairs, leather
goods, bookcases, and modular furniture for home and office.
Levenger also has one of the finest selections of writing
instruments in the country. The company is headquartered in Delray
Beach, Florida, and can be found on the Web at
Levenger.com.
|
