iUniverse.com To Publish IDG Books In Multiple Formats

Posted on June 23, 2000

iUniverse.com has announced it will provide its technology platform to IDG Books Worldwide, Inc., the publisher of the For Dummies, Frommer's and CliffsNotes book series. Consumers will have the ability to dynamically assemble custom books and obtain standard titles in a wide variety of formats, including print and e-book media.

At launch, IDGB will make available 100 For Dummies books, 125 Frommer's Travel Guides and 300 Cliffs Notes for customization at the customer's option. In addition to managing and delivering current titles, iUniverse.com's architecture will allow IDGB to bring hundreds of back-listed titles into print again. Customized titles and the ability to select among popular formats is expected to be available by late fall of 2000.

``Today's agreement between IDGB and iUniverse.com brings us closer to realizing our vision of tomorrow, where our best-selling ''how-to`` brands, rich vault of content and timely learning tools are accessible beyond the limitations of bound books,'' said IDGB chairman and CEO John Kilcullen. ``This is only the first step in IDGB's plans to digitize its entire library for electronic distribution, a step which offers new revenue streams and solution sets for our customers, authors and strategic partners.''

``We're extremely pleased to have IDGB as an anchor of our growing list of content providers,'' said Richard Tam, founder and chief executive officer of iUniverse.com. ``IDGB is a marquee publisher and the star power of its brands substantially strengthens our position as the leader in providing the technology platform businesses require for digitizing, customizing and distributing their content. Today's announcement demonstrates the mutual vision of our two organizations.''