CHICAGO – Independent Publishers Group (IPG), one of the oldest and largest book distributors in North America, and Bookwire, the leading global provider of digital distribution for eBooks and audiobooks, are proud to announce a strategic partnership.
IPG will upgrade its digital eBook and audiobook distribution services by adopting the Bookwire OS platform, the best-in-class, cloud-based software system for eBook distribution and comprehensive digital marketing with an expanded global network. In turn, Bookwire will gain access to IPG’s digital print and distribution services, greatly expanding its market presence in the United States.
“IPG’s digital clients will transition to the Bookwire OS platform within the next year, gaining access to increased channel opportunities, automated marketing, integrated analytics, and other benefits,” said IPG CEO Joe Matthews.
“This partnership allows us to focus on our core business while enhancing our digital service offerings,” Matthews said. “Our clients will greatly benefit from the advanced capabilities and global distribution network of the Bookwire OS platform.”
Both Bookwire and IPG will continue to focus on their respective specialties, with IPG providing exceptional comprehensive distribution solutions for independent publishers and Bookwire specializing in the worldwide digital distribution of eBooks and audiobooks.
“This strategic partnership with IPG marks a new chapter for us. By combining our strengths, we are better positioned to support U.S. publishers with innovative solutions and drive growth in the digital distribution space,” said Jens Klingelhöfer, Bookwire’s CEO & co-founder.
“We are excited to extend our services and technology to IPG’s clients,” added Brittyne Lewis, Country Manager U.S., at Bookwire. “Our goal is to ensure a smooth transition and provide them with great customer service and the tools and support they need to succeed in the digital landscape.”
About Independent Publishers Group
Founded in 1971, IPG was the first organization specifically created for the purpose of marketing titles from independent presses to the book trade. Today, IPG’s wide reach into the book market includes distribution of both print and e-books from a wide array of publishers, digital printing, and traditional publishing. With consistent growth year over year, IPG’s success has come from supporting and encouraging the growth of its publishing partners in the United States and worldwide. IPG was acquired by Chicago Review Press in 1987, and this acquisition formed the parent company Chicago Review Press, Inc., which now owns Chicago-based indie publishers Chicago Review Press and Triumph Books. In October 2021, IPG acquired UK-based United Independent Distributors (UID) and its subsidiary companies Eurospan, Marston Book Services and Orca Book Services, extending IPG’s menu of services and global reach.
About Bookwire & “Bookwire OS – One Solution”
Bookwire was founded in Frankfurt in 2010 as a service provider for publisher distribution of eBooks and digital content. It has since become one of the leading international businesses in digital publishing technology. Bookwire currently employs 150 people in Germany, the UK, Spain, France, Brazil, Italy and the U.S., who take care of more than 3,000 publishers in the fields of eBooks, audiobooks, podcasts and print-on-demand. The pioneering software “Bookwire OS – One Solution” delivers, analyzes, and markets 1.3 million eBooks and 300,000 audiobooks in all relevant distribution channels. In addition to the latest customer analytics and pricing technology, publishing clients of Bookwire also have access to individual support from account & marketing managers who look after the clients from end to end. Bookwire is led by the founders Jens Klingelhöfer (CEO) and John Ruhrmann (CO-CEO), as well as by Christian Lindemann (COO), and has branches in Barcelona, London, Milano, São Paulo, New York and Paris, in addition to the company headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and the “Digital Hub” in Dortmund.
Contacts:
Julia Dillman | Corporate Communications, IPG | 312.337.0747 | jdillman@ipgbook.com
Jan Stausberg | Corporate PR Manager, Bookwire | jan.stausberg@bookwire.de
