Open eBook Forum Launches Public Awareness Campaign

Posted on May 13, 2002

In the midst of some negative business news about ebooks, such as the recent closings of iPublish.com, MightyWords and the Frankfurt Ebook Awards, the Open eBook Forum announced the launch of its worldwide public awareness campaign, "Open an eBook...Discover New Worlds of Reading." The Open eBook Forum is running the campaign to help educate consumers on the benefits of electronic books.

The nonprofit Open eBook Forum has designed the campaign to highlight how ebook technologies and products promote literacy, provide access to books for those with reading disabilities, and have enhanced educational opportunities. The campaign launched on May 2, with extensive promotions from Open eBook Forum members, such as Microsoft Corporation, Adobe Systems, Random House, and McGraw-Hill and free book downloads from top publishers.

"This is the grand re-opening of the ebook industry," said Open eBook Forum executive director Nicholas Bogaty. "Ebooks are enjoying global success in the classroom, in the business community, with travelers, and the vision impaired. In fact, sales of eBooks increased by 40% in 2001 over the previous year. We're launching this campaign to invite people to come to our site, and `Open an eBook' for free to see just how satisfying it can be to carry titles on New York Times Bestseller list in their breast pocket or access new reading material from the comfort of their living room."

The homepage of the 'Open an eBook' campaign gives a list of the benefits of ebooks. Some of the benefits listed include ebooks are quicky downloadable; ebooks are simple to use and free software is available; ebooks are portable; ebooks are convenient -- numerous ebooks can be stored at a time; ebooks are easy on your back -- not heavy like a stack of books; and ebooks can be interactive with animation and sound. The site also include some ebook tips for users with disabilities.