Bowker expands its global research presence with addition of UK’s leading provider of book business intelligence
New Providence, NJ - February 4, 2010 - Bowker, the global leader in bibliographic information management solutions, is expanding its ability to provide business intelligence to the global publishing market with the acquisition of BML (Book Marketing) from Publishing News Ltd. BML is the leading provider of market research on the UK book market and is best known for its Books & Consumers survey and BookZone Research Panel. The company will become part of Bowker’s Publishing Services division.
“BML is a great strategic fit in our Business Intelligence Division as we grow our footprint in the international market,” said Kelly Gallagher, Bowker Vice President, Publishing Services. “BML has a strong tradition of serving the UK market with reliable and actionable consumer information and we look forward to not only continuing this work, but developing and enhancing the range of services BML offers.”BML, based in London, has been providing research and information to the UK book industry for 20 years. The company’s services are employed by the UK’s leading publishers and retailers and play a central role in providing the industry with ongoing consumer panel research and customized ad-hoc consultancy. As part of Bowker Publishing Services, it will continue to offer full market research service to its clients, which run the gamut from individual publishers and book retailers to syndicates, trade associations, arts organizations and government agencies. It will also maintain its role leading the Book Marketing Society, a premier membership organization of book marketers.
Bowker’s Publishing Services runs a comparable consumer information service in the US called PubTrack Consumer, which has fast become the publishing industry’s exclusive resource for understanding consumer book buying behavior. Launched in 2007, PubTrack Consumer is an ongoing panel of consumer-based research encompassing feedback from more than 40,000 book consumers annually. PubTrack also provides advanced cover review services, standard and custom reports as well as special studies — including a recent partnership with the Book Industry Study Group on a landmark e-Book Consumer Study.
“I’m delighted that BML has found a new and congenial home. We have enjoyed working with Bowker Publishing Services on a number of projects recently and look forward to working more closely with them as we develop and enhance the range of services we offer,” said Jo Henry, Managing Director for BML.
Mark Newman, son of PNL’s founder, the late Fred Newman said “We are pleased to have found a good home for the BML business and its employees by assuring their future as part of the Bowker group. The sale of the BML business to Bowker is part of an ongoing programme of licensing and divestment by Publishing News. We will now be seeking to license the renowned and highly respected consumer British Book Awards ‘The Nibbies.’”
BML’s entire staff including Jo Henry (jo@bookmarketing.co.uk), Steve Bohme (steve@bookmarketing.co.uk) and Rachel Levin (Rachel@bookmarketing.co.uk) will move on February 8 to Bowker’s London office located at:
St Andrews House
18 – 20 St Andrew Street
London
EC4A 3AG
United Kingdom
+44 0207 832 1770
No interruption in business is expected during the transition. In fact, the company’s eagerly anticipated annual Books & Consumers Conference will take place 16th March 2010.
Publishing News is the owner of the British Book Awards. For information about these awards or other Publishing News matters, please contact Mark Newman on 01252 861861 or mark.newman@morphix.com. To learn more about Bowker, visit www.bowker.com.
About Bowker
Bowker is the world's leading provider of bibliographic information management solutions designed to help publishers, booksellers, and libraries better serve their customers. The company is focused on developing various tools and products that make books easier for people to discover, evaluate, order, and experience, as well as providing services to publishers that help them better understand and meet the interests of readers worldwide. Bowker is a member of the ProQuest family of companies and is headquartered in New Providence, N.J., with additional operations in England and Australia. For more information, please visit www.bowker.com.
News Media
Beth Dempsey
for Bowker
beth@bethdempsey.com
Phone: 248-349-7810
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