HarperCollins Publishers today announced the creation of HarperCollins 360, a global publishing program for its authors. The goal of the initiative is to ensure that all books published by any division of HarperCollins around the world are available in print or digital format in all English-language markets. When the program is fully implemented, the HarperCollins global catalog -- 50,000 print books and 40,000 e-books -- will be available, limited only by the rights held, not by technology or geography. Authors published in the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, India, and Canada will be listed, published, and available to booksellers and consumers in the U.S. through the HarperCollins global print and digital platforms that include regional warehousing with on-site printing machines.
The first phase of the program begins July 1, 2012, with HarperCollins U.K. titles moving to HarperCollins 360’s U.S. team. Jean Marie Kelly, who will be leading the team, will assume the role of Affiliate Publisher, HarperCollins 360. Kelly will manage the editorial pipeline and all marketing and publicity efforts, and will work closely with colleagues in the U.S., under Josh Marwell, President of Sales, and Chris Wold, Group International Publisher, who is driving the program from the U.K., to ensure each book is published to its fullest potential. By the end of the calendar year, Canadian and Australian authors’ books will also be available in the U.S.
“It is our responsibility to provide our authors with the broadest possible reach through our global print and digital publishing platforms, regardless of where their books originate,” said Brian Murray, President and CEO of HarperCollins Publishers. “We are establishing new publishing roles, with marketing and publicity support, to maximize the global influence of our authors. Our vision is to have the entire HarperCollins book catalog available for customers in all major territories for which we have rights.
“Through our new POD partnerships and the technology co-located in our warehouses in the U.S., U.K., and Australia, we will be able to competitively offer the entire print and digital HarperCollins catalog; a win for customers as well as the environment as we cut long international freight miles,” continued Murray.