Rough Guides and Greenspun Partner with Zinio

By Lynn Andriani -- Publishers Weekly, 6/6/2008 1:29:00 PM

Online publishing, distribution and retail-services company Zinio has launched digital editions of Rough Guides travel guides, and digital editions of Greenspun and Niche Media’s portfolio of destination magazines. All the content is available through Zinio and its online/offline digital reader.

The announcment follows Zinio's introduction, in April, of a line of 100 classic novels available for free download on its site. The Rough Guides deal will make nine of the most popular Rough Guides available through Zinio, including guides to Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, London, Madrid, New York, Paris and Rome. Rough Guides commercial manager Gino Magnotta said Zinio approached RG with the idea. “We are always looking at new ways to engage with our readers and travelers, across a number of different platforms,” Magnotta said. “Zinio’s digital newsstand and truly global reach meant they were an obvious partner for us.” Rough Guides may consider making other guides available through Zinio in the future.

The guides cost $10.39 each. To read them, customers must download the free Zinio Reader software. Magnotta said, “We know there are a large number of consumers who like to obtain their entertainment via a digital newsstand in addition to traditional book and magazine retailers, and travel is an important area within this. We expect a strong customer response from consumers who prefer to access information and entertainment via this format.” Rough Guides is currently offering a discount with its titles promoted on Zinio's "Featured Magazines" newsstand and through a vertical banner button which links back to a dedicated Rough Guides newsstand, showcasing all of the Guides available through Zinio.

Zinio is also releasing Greenspun magazines including Las Vegas Magazine, Vegas Magazine, Las Vegas Home & Design and Vegas Golfer, with 13 more to follow over the next few months.