Events: IDPF Voting: Board Nomination

Dear IDPF Members,

I am running for the IDPF board and would greatly appreciate your vote. As you will see from my position statement my strengths are not in the technical/standards perspective but in the areas of consumer and market growth. I remain dedicated to serving consumers in the digital arena and believe the addition of my voice on the IDPF board would further all of our digital initiatives.

The IDPF is a vital organization in this fast-growing arena. We are at a critical juncture as digital publishing is about to reach the “regular” consumer. The IDPF needs to establish technical standards, but just as importantly it needs to envision the future and be the leader in spearheading all aspects of digital publishing, including the needs of readers, publishers and writers.

Harlequin Enterprises Ltd. is in a unique position as a publisher because it is a destination brand for customers in both the print book and eBook worlds. We actively followed developments in the marketplace and entered in a significant manner in 2005 with several different initiatives: a mobile application (Harlequin on the Go), downloadable audio and, of course, our eBook program. Since our launch of eBooks in October 2005 we have dramatically expanded title output matching the big players (to 80 plus titles a month), launched an eBook Boutique on our website (www.eharlequin.com), and published exclusive eBook content (the Harlequin Mini) with plans to develop and launch original eBook content in the very near future.

I am a reader, a writer, an editor and a digital publisher. During my 17 years at Harlequin I edited hundreds of novels and then moved to the Internet division where I acquired and edited serialized content for the web. This meant convincing authors to write a new kind of story (well, Dickens did it first, but this kind of storytelling was out of style). I have launched new imprints and am currently the Director of Digital Content and Interactivity. I am also the author of seven published romance novels, so I am uniquely positioned to understand and appreciate the author point of view.

As the Director of Digital Content & Interactivity, I bring a brand and consumer perspective along with the very practical experience of being in the trenches launching and managing an eBook program. Multiple formats, metadata, xml are not my natural bailiwick, but they help or hinder the customer experience, which is my focus. Let me share with the IDPF these three key strengths:

• being a leading eBook publisher with diverse and interesting insights about how digital can transform the publishing industry
• being a publisher with a deep and rich understanding of the consumer, especially the female perspective
• having the experience of how to bring the power of the brand to digital.

I look forward to serving all of our needs as an IDPF Board Member.

Thank you.

Malle Vallik
Director Digital Content & Interactivity
Harlequin Enterprises Ltd.