Meredith, Hunter Douglas Ink Book Pact
Calvin Reid -- Publishers Weekly, 7/23/2001
Meredith Corporation's integrated marketing division has announced a custom publishing deal with the Hunter Douglas Group, a window-coverings manufacturer, to produce an illustrated book and a magazine to be distributed through specialty retail outlets, related stores and home improvement centers.
Bob Mate, v-p of publishing at Meredith, told PW that Meredith Integrated Marketing will release 175,000 copies of Beautiful Window: Stylish Homes from Hunter Douglas, a 144-page illustrated book with original photography and editorial content that will sell for $19.95. The book will be released in August and will be followed by the free distribution of more than one million copies of a 24-page magazine called Gatherings that will also showcase Hunter Douglas home decorations.
This is Meredith Integrated Marketing's (www.meredithim.com) first custom book agreement with Hunter Douglas, and the long-running custom publishing program has had double-digit revenue growth over the last several years, according to Mate. The books feature all original material and MIM works closely with its clients ("the book has to meet their marketing objectives," said Mate) to produce the titles.
Meredith's book publishing program is best known for its Better Home & Gardens and Home Depot book series. The two series have more than a million copies in print.
