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Harlequin
Enterprises Ltd. Dear IDPF Members,
I am delighted the IDPF decided to add two extra positions to the board in
order to reach more voices and varied opinions on the future of digital growth.
I am gratified at the opportunity to once again enter my name into this
excellent competition. 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.
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