Digital publishing start-up Erudition seeks partnerships with publishers to transcend print paradigm
“By lowering the barriers to entry we take the risk and pain out of the equation for publishers. This allows them to focus on their core competencies and to create differentiated offerings which attract a premium price.”
London, United Kingdom – February 12, 2013
The launch of a new London-based digital publishing company Erudition, is giving publishers an exciting opportunity to take their digital offerings beyond the constraints of the print container. The company provides a comprehensive range of technology components and services which enable creation and fulfillment of enhanced publications purpose-built for digital consumption. Erudition differs from other suppliers by partnering closely with publishers on a risk-sharing model – thereby fostering a joint interest in the commercial success of projects. This innovative approach enables publishers to transcend the print paradigm without significant upfront investment, risk or disruption.
Currently most eBooks are constrained by the print container being digital replicas of print publications sold at a discounted price. These “first generation” offerings are part of a transitional phase but increasingly fall short of evolving customer expectations. Many publishers see the opportunities arising from beyond these offerings – however doing so is fraught with challenges. Most significant of these is acquiring technology phentermine and related skills because most publishers lack in-house capabilities or the resources required to build them. Alternatives such as sourcing off-the-shelf solutions are a fragmented minefield of options while outsourced development is costly and requires specialist expertise to commission effectively. Initial forays into next generation publishing by larger publishers have often resulted in costly, once-off showcases without viable business models.
Erudition director, Ryan Morison, is acutely aware of these challenges. After founding a publishing solutions business he successfully exited to a large media group, Naspers (LSE:NPSN), where he ran an innovations unit managing a development team and sourcing technology solutions for group publishers. “We learnt that the ideal scenario for publishers is to have a partner offering the expertise and technology of a specialist supplier combined with the flexibility and industry knowledge of an in-house team”. Ryan’s involvement in Erudition stems from a passion for the industry and a desire to see publishers of high-quality content thrive in the digital arena. “By lowering the barriers to entry we take the risk and pain out of the equation for publishers. This allows them to focus on their core competencies and to create differentiated offerings which attract a premium price.”
Erudition’s key advantage is its technology platform which provides extensive functionality throughout the content lifecycle. Using a web-based reading application, the company facilitates direct sales and fulfillment to customers (similar to the model pioneered by the Financial Times). Special attention has been paid to the development of tools and components which reduce the cost of producing enriched, interactive content. This facilitates agile experimentation and iterative refinement based on real world feedback. “Furthermore, our platform allows us to work in a manner in which editorial and development processes inform and add value to each other rather than operating in individual silos,” says Ryan.
The company has spent the past year actively developing and refining its offering via a number of pilot projects and will soon be beta launching a range of publications intended to serve as a showcase for its capabilities. “We’re now actively seeking to extend our approach to new projects across a wide range of topics and would welcome the opportunity to speak to publishers who are interested in exploring possibilities with us.”
