Random House begins online marketing program
By Adnews Staff
Toronto-based book publisher Random House of Canada has begun a new online initiative intended to attract Canadian readers. The company has redesigned its websites at RandomHouse.ca and McClelland.com, and constructed three new websites called Mysterybooks.ca, Bookclubs.ca and Booklounge.ca. The sites will provide information about the company’s books and authors, along with video and audio podcasts and blogs. According to the company, the overall initiative is intended to attract book lovers through existing social sites such as YouTube.com and ITunes, as well as through more effective search engine placement. “Today's book readers are increasingly turning to the Internet to research and choose the book they'll read next,” said Lisa Charters, director of online sales and marketing at Random House. “With the phenomenal amount of choice in today's book marketplace, we have designed a digital experience that provides interesting information on books and authors to help consumers make purchasing decisions before entering a conventional or online store.” Visitors can also join a new online panel called the Booklounge.ca Editorial Board. Participants will be invited to submit feedback on unreleased books and contribute their views on publishing decisions such as book jacket design. The initiative was developed by Toronto-based Delvinia Interactive.