New Zinio Reader Makes Digital Publishing Reality

For immediate release: 9 October 2006

New Zinio Reader Makes Digital Publishing a Reality
- Real magazines available online-

Zinio, the world's largest distributor of digital magazines, has launched in New Zealand, giving Kiwis easy access to many of their favourite magazines on their computer screens.

The Australasian licence for Zinio has been secured by PMP NZ Ltd, New Zealand's largest printing and media services group, as part of a joint venture.

Amid increasing demand for digital magazines, the unique Zinio technology meets the needs of both readers and publishers by offering a reading experience that closely replicates the actual reading of a magazine.

Zinio is designed for easy use as readers can flip pages and mark them just like a hard copy. Readers can zoom in on items of interest and avoid endless scrolling and other difficulties previously experienced with PDFs and other online products currently available.

Magazines are accessed through reader software known as the Zinio Reader, which is free to download. Publications are stored in a library on the user's hard drive so after the initial download there is no need to connect to the internet to read the publication. This means convenient access from anywhere a computer can be used, such as at home, in the office or even on an aircraft.

Zinio is available for both Macintosh and Windows. Free trial magazines and the free Zinio Reader can be downloaded from www.mercurysubs.co.nz. Mercury Subs, a member of the PMP Group, is New Zealand's largest online magazine subscription site, now providing the opportunity for publication readers to order printed or digital magazines.

Rodger Shepherd, CEO, PMP (NZ) Ltd, said: "Digital magazines are a relatively new idea and what we liked about the Zinio format was that it uses advanced technology to offer readers an enhanced digital reading experience, which far exceeds anything previously available.

"Zinio will not replace physical magazines, but rather I believe it will expand the market, in many cases adding a younger audience. More than 40% of 18-39 year-olds spend over two hours a week on the internet in their spare time so reading their favourite magazines on their computer will be a natural for them.

"Zinio has already delivered more than 40 million magazines to over three million subscribers worldwide and so it is exciting for us that we can bring this technology to NZ. Digital Magazines are now a reality in this market."

Zinio opens up a range of new possibilities for reader interactivity as it allows additional content above the printed versions, with video clips, audio and links to websites integrated seamlessly, creating a richer experience for the reader. Zinio also features a search function, enabling readers to search for a word or set of words within the magazine; and highlight and note features which allow pages to be marked.

In addition to magazines, Zinio can also be applied in many other areas including the corporate and education sectors. It can be utilised to produce publications such as retail catalogues and brochures, books and text books, annual reports, newsletters, institutional handbooks and newspapers. Details about Zinio's capabilities in these areas will be announced in coming weeks.

Titles currently available in digital format through Zinio include: Netguide, Habitat, World In Sport, Go Build – Creative Ideas, Uncensored, Top Gear, Tone, Horse Trader, Pacific MotorYacht, Macguide, Brass, World and NZ Propeller; with further publications added all the time.

About PMP:

PMP is NZ's largest integrated print media company comprising web and sheetfed printing, letterbox distribution, magazine subscriptions and distribution.

ENDS

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