Industry veteran Lee Milstein to guide digital distributor’s expansion with multimedia and new access models for content

 

Cleveland, OH—September 17, 2013— OverDrive, the world’s leading distributor of eBooks and other digital media to libraries and schools, announced today the appointment of Lee C. Milstein to the new position of Chief Strategy Officer.  Milstein, who previously held leadership roles at Google’s YouTube, AOL and DivX, will lead OverDrive’s emerging digital media businesses including the expansion into streaming video and education content and services, and help direct the company’s overall strategy and strategic partnerships.

“With Lee’s successes in building both revenue and user base in his previous positions, we are confident that his efforts will accelerate the significant growth that we’re experiencing,” said OverDrive CEO Steve Potash.  “In addition to working with our Executive team to direct forward-looking strategies and partnerships, Lee will lead our growing streaming video service for our global network of publishers, consumers and institutional partners.”

“OverDrive is in a unique position, having quietly established itself as the market leader in the distribution of eBooks and audiobooks to libraries, schools and retailers, and making it possible for readers to borrow their favorite titles digitally,” said Milstein.  “I am eager to build on the tremendous innovation taking place here by expanding the channels for distribution and launching a premium streaming video service for our partners.  The company has made significant investments in both infrastructure and global reach, and I am proud to help move the company to the next phase of its growth.”

In addition to Milstein’s strategic role, he will also lead a market development team that will be based in New York City.  This will represent the first time OverDrive has had a physical presence in New York, and marks a significant milestone for the company.

OverDrive supplies more than 22,000 libraries, schools and retailers worldwide, offering a catalog of more than one million eBooks, audiobooks and other digital media compatible with all major computers and devices.  To find a library near you, visit http://search.overdrive.com.

 

About OverDrive
OverDrive is a leading multichannel digital distributor of eBooks, digital audiobooks, music and video.  We supply a secure lending platform for 22,000 libraries, schools and retailers worldwide with support for all major computers and devices, including iPhone®, iPad®, Nook®, Android™ phones and tablets, and Kindle® (U.S. only).  Recent enhancements to OverDrive’s platform include multilingual user interface support, in-library touchscreen services for browsing and instant sampling of eBooks or audiobooks, and OverDrive Read, the company’s EPUB and HTML5 browser-based reading experience.

OverDrive has been named to the EContent 100 as a company that matters most in the digital content industry and is a member of the 2012 Technology Fast 500. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland. www.overdrive.com.

 

Contact:
David Burleigh
OverDrive, Inc.
216-573-6886 x218
dburleigh@overdrive.com

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