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Simon & Schuster Selects SOFTLOCK.COM's eMerchandising
SoftLock.com, Inc., the premier digital content eMerchandiser, today announced the company was chosen by publishing powerhouse Simon & Schuster to be the electronic merchandiser of Stephen King's new story, Riding the Bullet.
SoftLock.com is the only company that is electronically marketing and widely distributing the story for Adobe Acrobat(r) Reader, the de facto-standard eBook Reader for more than 100 million PC users.SoftLock.com was recognized by Simon & Schuster as the only vendor with a complete eMerchandising solution. SoftLock.com's patented combination of technology and services provide a comprehensive solution to marketing and distributing valuable digital content, combining content security, targeted content merchandising, and a complete multi-channel eCommerce distribution system.
As part of a special program, Simon & Schuster is actively encouraging online booksellers to join the SoftLock Merchandising Network. Once enrolled, online retailers can sell this tantalizing new story simply by placing a link on their retail site. Shoppers click through to a new window, complete their transaction and close the window without ever leaving the original retail site. The King phenomenon will entice people to visit, buy, and tempt them to return again and again in search of other stimulating content. Online retailers will earn handsome commissions without an upfront investment or commitment.
"SoftLock.com's eMerchandising solution allows us to offer broad distribution of Stephen King's new eBook. SoftLock.com was chosen for this project because they offer a simple, comprehensive solution to our bookselling partners who wish to sell Riding the Bullet even if they have never sold an eBook before," said Kate Tentler, vice president and publisher of Simon & Schuster Online. "SoftLock.com's complete eMerchandising solution will deliver this landmark new eBook to millions of King devotees."
Adding an exciting twist to Simon & Schuster's traditional publishing channels, Riding the Bullet. will be exclusively available as an eBook and will not be available in print. The ghostly story will sell for $2.50, and will keep King fans glued to their computers Netwide starting on March 14, 2000.
When Stephen King aficionados discover the electrifying new story and want to share it with other King fans, they will be encouraged to pass it along. SoftLock.com's patented technology encourages the simple emailing of valuable content to friends and colleagues. SoftLock.com ensures that each recipient will only see the eBook's free sample, will be encouraged to buy, and to once again, pass it along to other interested readers. Once purchased, the complete eBook will be instantly readable using software already available on the viewer's PC.
SoftLock.com will actively market Riding the Bullet. through its eMerchandising channels, targeting online bookstores, Stephen King-related Web sites, as well as other high traffic, general interest sites. SoftLock.com will also include a direct marketing campaign. And through SoftLock.com's targeted portal placement, searchers on popular Web portals will be able to purchase the King eBook. Additionally, the story can be easily purchased from the SoftLock.com store at www.softlock.com, all starting on March 14th.
"Publishers are quickly recognizing that SoftLock.com's eMerchandising solution is becoming the most effective way to market and distribute valuable content," said Keith Loris, president and CEO of SoftLock.com. "SoftLock.com's eMerchandising solution actively and strategically leverages diverse technology and services to maximize the Web's potential for selling the most sought-after content. We are thrilled that Simon & Schuster recognized our eMerchandising technology and services and chose SoftLock.com as a distributor of Riding the Bullet to the mainstream PC market. Through SoftLock.com's robust eMerchandising, King's groundbreaking eBook will be available to millions of fans."