Penguin Goes Mobile With Mobifusion

Publishing major Penguin Books India has joined hands with Mobifusion Inc., developer and distributor of mobile technologies, to deliver books to mobile phone users across India.The partnership will begin with a focus on the Indian consumer base, and look at a global roll-out in time, expanding to include Penguin’s global brand and an array of international products.

The first three books on offer by Penguin-Mobifusion are – “The Joy in Loving: A Guide to Daily Living with Mother Teresa” complied by Jaya Chaliha and Edward Le Joly, “The Path to Tranquillity” by Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and “The Book of Prayer” edited by Renuka Narayanan.

The mobile providers to be involved in the venture has not been finalised yet. Mobile users will get to read chapters of the books on their phones.

Books-A-Million Hires New Marketing Chief

Books-A-Million Inc. appointed a new vice president of marketing, the company announced Thursday.

Karla Wiles comes to Books-A-Million (Nasdaq:BAMM) from o2 ideas Inc., a marketing communications firm in Birmingham. There she served as executive vice president and director of client services and worked with national retail brands such as Saks Department Store Group, Mervyn’s, Intuit, Kaplan IT, Captain D’s, Giant Foods, BI-LO/Bruno’s Supermarkets, Verizon Wireless and Home Depot.

Terrance G. Finley, president of Books-A-Million Inc.’s Merchandising Group, said the company plans to build on Wiles’ experience in brand development and retail.