Bestselling audiobooks to be downloaded through libraries and online retailers direct to PCs and PDAs — broadening availability and access to popular materials

 

(Chicago — BookExpo:  June 1, 2004) — Brilliance Audio (www.brillianceaudio.com), the nation’s largest independent audiobook publisher, announced today that its entire inventory of titles will soon be available for retail purchase or patron loan via download through OverDrive’s (www.overdrive.com) global network of online digital bookshops and public library websites.  OverDrive provides digital fulfillment services for leading online retailers including Adobe Digital Media Store, WHSmith Online, eFollett.com, OfficeMax.com and a growing network of libraries including Cleveland Public Library, King County Library System, Denver Public Library, San Jose Public Library and many more.

Brilliance Audiobook titles will be made available in Microsoft Windows Media® Player format and accessible to PCs, laptops and portable audio players.  Each audiobook includes associated catalog data and 3-5 minute professionally produced “trailers” that enable users to listen and preview the contents of the title.

OverDrive will manage digital distribution utilizing Microsoft Windows Media® Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology. Brilliance and OverDrive are collaborating to further enhance the user experience by engineering navigation support into each digital audiobooks as recommended by Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) standards. Downloads of audiobooks through OverDrive’s network are expected to begin early autumn 2004.

“OverDrive has proven retail and library DRM systems that provide users with immediate access to our content while respecting the rights of our authors,” stated Brilliance President and Publisher Michael Snodgrass.  “They are working very closely with us to adhere to industry-wide standards, something we feel is extremely important,” he added.

“Brilliance is well-known for producing and providing high quality, popular titles that people demand,” stated OverDrive CEO Steve Potash.  “Our partnership will quickly expand the availability of audiobooks to a wider market of new and current users increasing the format’s popularity and acceptance,” Potash added.

OverDrive will show live demonstrations of digital Brilliance Audiobooks in Booth #4731 at BookExpo 2004, June 4 – 6 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago.  Attendees can also visit Brilliance Audio at Booth #4444 and see their entire audiobooks collection.

 

Media Contacts

Brilliance Audio

Eileen Hutton

(616) 846-5256 x703

ehutton@brillianceaudio.com

OverDrive

Jennifer Jackson

(216) 573-6886 x207

jjackson@overdrive.com

 

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