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Tuesday, February 9, 1999 Media Cynic | Forum | Advertising | Classifieds | Jobs Amazon.com Sets New Disclosure Standards and New Returns Policy Online retailer Amazon.com has announced that beginning March 1 it will list for customers which feature placements on its site are paid for and which are not. At the same time, effective immediately, the company is implementing a new book-return policy. The company stressed that its recommendations are not and have never been for sale to anyone. Only books selected by Amazon.com editors qualify for publisher-supported placement. "We have the largest staff of book editors online or off, and for a book that doesn't meet our standards, there is no amount of money that would cause us to feature it," said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com founder and CEO. Bezos added that, "as a Web-based store with a real community of book lovers, we're being held to a higher standard than physical stores. And you know what? That's the way it should be." The company will now make it possible for shoppers to know which placements have been purchased by publishers and which have not. Beginning March 1st, Amazon.com will list every paid-for placement in its store, breaking with standard industry practice. "We believe we're the first retailer to list this information for customers, and we hope it will start a trend," Bezos added. The company is also widening its book-return policy to reinforce its belief in the quality of its editors' recommendations by allowing customers to return any book Amazon.com has recommended, even after it has been read. Previously, the company's returns policy required books to be in unread and new condition. Rayner Named Publishing Director of Electronic Business, Electronic News Electronic Business and Electronic News Editorial Director Bruce Rayner has named Publishing Director of the two publications, effective immediately. Christopher W. Platt, a 15-year EDN magazine regional sales manager has been named Electronic News' Advertising Director. In his new role, Rayner will have day-to-day publishing responsibility for Electronic News and strategic and editorial responsibility for Electronic Business. Platt will have responsibility for managing the Electronic News sales team. According to Cahners Electronics Group Vice President Jeff Greisch, Rayner has played a pivotal role in the very successful repositioning of Electronic Business, a monthly magazine for senior management in the electronics industry. At the same time Rayner has rejuvenated Electronic News by hiring Hugh Willett as the new Editor-in-Chief, spearheading the publications redesign, which launched January 4, and consolidating editorial management in San Jose, California. "Bruce's hard work and commitment to Electronic Business and Electronic News makes him the right choice to lead both publications to strong growth in 1999 and beyond," says Greisch. "Together with Chris Platt on the sales side and Hugh Willett on the editorial side, Bruce will be implementing an ambitious strategy to return Electronic News to its rightful place as the leading newsweekly in the electronics industry. At the same time he will remain integrally involved in the editorial evolution of Electronic Business." "These are tumultuous times in the electronics industry, and management needs quality editorial to make informed business decisions," says Rayner. "Electronic News is fast becoming the weekly source for tactical news and analysis. And Electronic Business is clearly the authoritative monthly source for in-depth strategic business analysis on companies, executives and markets. Together, they are indispensable tools for every manager who hopes to make a mark." New Online Resource For Global Business Community Link Interactive has launched Global Business Web, an online trade resource, to assist organizations in doing business internationally. Comprised of more than 5,000 information resources, articles, discussions, and services, Global Business Web is available free of charge. Global Business Web provides contact with suppliers, trade leads, embassies, freight carriers, translators, directories, and service providers; as well as information on currencies, tariffs, legal restrictions, regional industry associations, banking and government policies in all regions of the world. It also features news and important regional facts and statistics. In addition, individuals can elect to receive a monthly e-mail newsletter including business headlines from around the world, featured articles and information regarding upcoming events. Global Business Web’s discussion forums allow participants to post questions and announcements, obtain answers, gather information and make contacts related to global business issues and opportunities. The discussions provide participants with a forum to conduct research; promote their organization, products and services; identify contacts and resources; and access experts. According to Paula Murphy, Director, Massachusetts Export Center, “Global Business Web has become a tremendous asset to our organization. In addition to the site’s broad range of resources, the discussion forums provide access to business opportunities and an extensive community of experts from around the world to help organizations address their business challenges.” American Experience Online Covers Polar Explorer Richard Byrd and his landmark expeditions with Alone on the Ice can be found on a new Web feature from The American Experience Online. The site debuted on Saturday, February 6, 1999. Richard Byrd claimed a number of firsts: first to fly over the North Pole, the South Pole, and first to experience winter in the interior of the Antarctic. The American Experience Online takes a hard look at Byrd the explorer, aviation pioneer and scientist. The Alone on the Ice website accompanies the broadcast of the one-hour documentary on The American Experience. The American Experience Online produces a companion website for every new television broadcast of The American Experience, with information beyond the broadcast including program schedules, teacher's guides, audience feedback, and links to related sites. The American Experience Online also produces WayBack: US History for Kids, a US history webzine targeted to kids ages 9 to 13 first released in November 1998. Click here to return to the homepage of The Write NewsTM Click here to subscribe to our free weekly email newsletter.  www.writenews.com Copyright © 1997-2007 by Writers Write, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
