BarnesandNoble.com Partners with Book Central

Posted on May 29, 1997

BarnesandNoble.com, a subsidiary of Barnes & Noble, Inc. announced it has partnered with a complementary book site on America Online : Book Central, a production of iPROD, the interactive division of Franklin Spier Advertising. BarnesandNoble.com is co-branding the Book Central site which will enable direct links between Book Central's site and BarnesandNoble.com's AOL site, BarnesandNoble@AOL. Additionally, BarnesandNoble.com has co-branded the Book Central site so that the familiar look and feel of BarnesandNoble@AOL is extended to Book Central's site. BarnesandNoble.com (AOL Keyword: Barnes and Noble) is the exclusive bookseller on AOL's Marketplace channel. Book Central (AOL Keyword: BC) can be found in the "Books and Writing" category of the Learning & Culture channel on AOL.

"This partnership with Book Central represents BarnesandNoble.com's continued commitment to providing customers with a rich, interactive experience online," says Steve Riggio, chief operating officer, Barnes & Noble, "By providing Book Central users with direct links to BarnesandNoble@AOL, we are offering customers a site that hosts a number of entertaining features, including more than 100 book groups, and the ability to purchase books directly from BarnesandNoble@AOL."

"We are delighted to partner with BarnesandNoble.com," commented Len Gilbert, director of Book Central. "Book Central users are now able to purchase books easily and at deep discounts, with just a click of the mouse to BarnesandNoble@AOL. Visitors to Book Central can join one of the many book groups or start their own and can participate in other activities on the site, including Noble Pursuit, a weekly online trivia game sponsored by BarnesandNoble.com."

BarnesandNoble.com launched its AOL site in March, 1997 and just launched a World Wide Web site (www.barnesandnoble.com) in May, 1997. Both sites offer a host of features, including: live author auditoriums with a wide variety of authors, detailed book reviews, editorial commentary, comprehensive text excerpts, audio-visual effects and author information.

Book Central offers its users myriad features: over 100 book groups, preview materials and information on hundreds of the top current authors and books; live author appearances with interactive chat sessions; book reviews from critically acclaimed publication Kirkus Reviews; regularly-scheduled online reading groups; exclusive chapter excerpts and audio clips and other interactive opportunities. Additionally, BarnesandNoble.com also sponsors a weekly online book trivia game developed by Book Central titled Noble Pursuit. Users answer book-related trivia questions each week for the chance to win books from BarnesandNoble.com.