In my role managing public relations and social media for OverDrive, a global distributor of eBooks and audiobooks, I led external relations for a fast-growing B2B and B2C technology brand. To develop and distribute this press release promoting the success of OverDrive's public library customers, I collaborated with the company's chief executive officer, marketing director and distribution service.
Public Libraries Generate Record eBook Traffic on Christmas
Single-day eBook and audiobook-lending records shattered at OverDrive libraries
Publication: Distributed via PR Newswire, December 2012
Cleveland—December 26—Public libraries utilizing OverDrive’s Next Generation digital lending platform served a record number of eBook, audiobook, music and video titles to patrons on Christmas Day. The most dramatic growth occurred among users of iPad, Kindle Fire and Android devices. With One-Step Checkout™ and powerful, filtered search, the Next Generation library websites are optimized for both PC and mobile users, which helped pilot libraries circulate record single-day numbers of eBooks, audiobooks, music and video. Among the libraries setting all-time eBook circulation records yesterday were Cuyahoga County Public Library (Ohio), Pioneer Library System (Okla.), Hennepin County Library (Minn.), and Mid-Continent Public Library (Mo.).
“Mobile users account for as much as two-thirds of all traffic at Next Generation pilot libraries, and they’re generating record traffic,” said OverDrive CEO Steve Potash. “This surge in mobile usage, combined with the industry’s largest digital catalog—including a record amount of bestselling content added in 2012—results in more readers engaging with more titles than ever before.”
OverDrive will roll out Next Generation services for all library partners through the first quarter of 2013. The Next Generation websites streamline the digital library experience with One-Step Checkout™, a powerful search engine, and the new HTML-powered, browser-based eBook-reading technology OverDrive Read.
About OverDriveOverDrive is a leading multichannel digital distributor of eBooks, digital audiobooks, music and video. We supply a secure lending platform for 19,000 libraries, schools and retailers worldwide with support for all major computers and devices, including iPhone®, iPad®, Nook®, Android™ phones and tablets, and Kindle® (U.S. only). OverDrive has been named to the EContent 100 as a company that matters most in the digital content industry and is a member of the 2012 Technology Fast 500. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland. www.overdrive.com
Contact: Michael Lovett, OverDrive, Inc., 216-573-6886 x269, mlovett@overdrive.com