Lightning and Didio Announce eAudiobook Alliance

Posted on February 9, 2001

Lightning Source Inc., a digital fulfillment provider, and Didio Communications, Ltd., a provider of digital audio services, have entered into a strategic alliance to jointly market their services to the publishing industry. Under this new alliance, Lightning Source will expand its suite of services to include digital audiobook fulfillment capability. Didio will work with Lightning Source to gain access to additional distribution channels for eAudiobook content.

Ed Marino, president and CEO of Lightning Source, says in the announcement, "Our alliance with Didio provides a strategic pairing of two key digital fulfillment technologies. In co-marketing our services, we'll be able to offer publishers and booksellers one source for secure fulfillment of eBooks and eAudiobooks, as well as possible future combinations of the two formats."

Paul G. Smithson, Managing Director of Didio, adds, "Lightning's alliance with Didio confirms the growing interest in eAudiobooks. By combining Didio's cutting-edge eAudiobook solutions with Lightning Source's established track record with digital content, we're providing access to a unique, combined content format offering that is sure to be of great appeal to all online retailers and audiobook publishers, and ultimately to their consumers."

Didio helps audiobook publishers and retailers market, develop and implement digital audio download strategies, and enables publishers to transfer encrypted digital downloads of eAudiobooks to their customers. Lightning Source, a provider of print-on-demand and ebook fulfillment services, electronically stores books and other content in its digital library. Lightning Source has relationships with more than 900 publishers.