Simon & Schuster, Lightning Source Announce Digital Fulfillment Deal

Posted on July 7, 2000

Simon & Schuster, Inc. and Lightning Source Inc. have announced a long-term strategic alliance whereby Lightning Source will become Simon & Schuster's preferred and primary digital fulfillment company. Under the arrangement, Lightning Source will provide digital capabilities from file conversion to delivery and other fulfillment services for both eBook and print-on-demand orders. Conversion of Simon & Schuster's 12,000 active backlist titles to digital files will commence immediately.

``As early believers in the potential of eBooks and print-on-demand, we embrace every opportunity to carry the concept quickly into the mainstream, and are equally determined to include our longtime customers in the evolving electronic marketplace,'' said Simon & Schuster President and Chief Operating Officer Jack Romanos. ``For Simon & Schuster and its authors, this alliance with Lightning Source is a key partnership that will enable us to enlarge the digital bookselling community, and reach consumers with greater ease. We are thrilled that Lightning Source will make it easy and efficient for our customers to participate in these exciting developments in publishing.''

``Combining Simon & Schuster's content and innovation in the eBook arena with our technological know-how, makes this deal a win-win for all involved,'' said Lightning Source President and CEO Ed Marino. ``It adds to our rapidly growing digital library - already one of the industry's largest. But most of all, it helps meet the growing consumer thirst for digital content.''