Zinio Launches Digital Magazine Services

Posted on October 24, 2001

Zinio Systems Inc., announced its intention to provide a digital magazine service for readers and publishers. Working closely with leading magazine publishers for more than a year, Zinio has developed a solution for transforming print editions of magazines into a digital form that can be delivered via the Internet and read by consumers on laptop and desktop computers. Zinio expects to have magazine titles from large consumer and trade publishers available at launch in early Q1 of 2002. Zinio is a privately held company with offices in the San Francisco area and New York City.

``As one of the most compelling and trusted forms of content, magazines reach more people than any other form of media,'' said Kevin McCurdy, CEO of Zinio Systems. ``But the traditional methods of magazine marketing and distribution have become increasingly expensive, making it more and more difficult for magazine publishers to operate profitably. With Zinio's digital magazine services, publishers will be able to take advantage of the efficiencies of electronic-based marketing and distribution while providing their readers with a familiar and trusted reading experience. This is a market poised for tremendous growth. Simply put, it's the future of magazine publishing.''

Zinio's digital magazine publishing solution is comprised of three elements. Zinio's production services recast the layout and design of print magazines into digital magazines. Interactive features can also be added. The Zinio Reader allows subscribers to read the magazine online. And the Zinio Delivery System automates the subscription and retrieval process and makes it possible for readers to purchase copies of current or back issues. Readers will be able to subscribe to publications or request individual current and back issues at zinio.com.

``Magazine publishers have long recognized the potential that the digital medium holds for expanding and enhancing their business,'' said Dan Okrent, a member of Zinio's board of directors and the former editor-at-large of Time Inc. ``Until now, however, there really hasn't been a suitable solution. While many magazines have expanded their reach using the Web, those efforts have been costly and required publishers to sacrifice what may be their most valuable asset: the branded look and feel that their readers identify and enjoy. Zinio provides publishers with the best way to extend their valuable brand into the digital medium ... and do it profitably.''