INDUSTRY: Digital emphasis,·new focus
BIBLES:·Major study edition,·tech titles released
CHILDREN:·Cutting edge meets the classics
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| 2010 in focus |
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| Written by Production |
| Thursday, 30 December 2010 09:29 AM America/New_York |
‘Christian Retailing’ editors on what mattered most and why
by Andy Butcher After several years facing challenges pretty much in their own small group and unknown by the rest of the business world by virtue of their specialty status, Christian publishers and retailers found themselves·part of a bigger story. Together with general book market peers they were considering how to·surf the e-book wave·rather than get thrown up on the beach by it. While digital sales saw triple-digit percentage increases, many consoled themselves by pointing out that total unit sales were—for the time being—still relatively small. Some also found some comfort in the notion that as the big mainstream book chains bore the brunt of the print-to-pixel move, indie and niche book-selling might find a·new level of consumer appeal. More discouraging was Zondervan’s pulling the plug on its innovative attempt to give brick-and-mortar retailers a piece of the digital market through its Symtio program. The failure to gain enough traction with the service that let stores sell cards carrying download link left concerns that some retailers may prematurely surrender the possibility ofin-store digital sales·as being unachievable. Meanwhile, there were other signs that the Christian industry’s particular turbulence might be easing. Following the abrupt end-of-2009 departure of long-time President and CEO Bill Anderson, the retailers association appointed his lieutenant, Curtis Riskey, as executive director of a·slimmed-down and refocused CBA·that sold off its albatross of a fancy headquarters. Not that the Christian retail channel’s troubles were all over: shortly after taking on his new role Riskey oversaw the closure of his own store in Oshkosh, Wis., a victim of both the economic climate and the challenge of trying to run the business long-distance from his new base at CBA’s Colorado headquarters, and just one of several admiredstores that shut the doors·for the last time. Biblica’s looking for a·purchaser for STL Distribution North America·came as a surprise to many. Though the September announcement emphasized that the business division was in good shape, simply not the best fit with the rest of the international Scripture publishing and distribution ministry, the timing was awkward. It came just after the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) in St. Louis, where rival and·leading distributor Spring Arbor·had unveiled a new logo that it said illustrated its renewed commitment to the Christian retail world. Among new emphases for the business: more family-friendly films, music and communion ware. There were encouraging signs elsewhere at ICRS. Though attendance was down, again, a tad on the previous year, many attendees found·a new sense of focus and mission·at an event they thought to be appropriately resized and retaining its place as a calendar high point. ICRS was also the venue for the launch of an effort to embody some of the·industry-wide unity·that has been talked about so much as necessary for a bright future. Plans for the·first Christian Store Day·were unveiled to a disappointingly small turnout at one of the convention workshops. But with credit to those working to pull everything together—a project begun··year earlier—by the time the Oct. 23 event came round, almost 500 stores including the LifeWay Christian chain had signed up. There was also·strong support·for the traffic- and awareness-buiding effort from the author and artists community.
BOOKS:·Focused on e-books,·not a book· by Andy Butcher With the·absence of a runaway best-seller·and a focus on the rise of digital publishing, it was the year of the e-book rather than a book. Christian publishers continued to wrestle with what the shift will mean for them long-term, exploring ways to·leverage the growing e-book market: B&H Publishing and Zondervan were among those giving away free digital titles in hopes of seeing a spike in print sales as a result. The closest thing to·an unexpected hit·for the year was probably David Platt’s·Radical·(Multnomah Books), a call to costly discipleship in the vein of Francis Chan’s chart-topping·Crazy Love. Platt’s May release saw robust sales with some social media buzz but no heavy promotion. If there was no out-and-out single star for the year, there was a·standout category—Amish fiction. The demand for “bonnet” books showed no signs of slowing, with considerable general media interest in the unlikely success of the genre and even a new sub-group emerging—Thomas Nelson debuted its “Land of Canaan” series set among a breakaway Amish community in Colorado, far from the group’s traditional Pennsylvania locale. The continuing fascination with all things Amish was part of the wider big book story of the year—inspirational fiction’s continued growth. It accounted for almost a fifth of all Christian book purchases, according to a study by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.· The trend was evident in a record 600-plus attendance at the American Christian Fiction Writers annual conference in Indianapolis, in September, where Carol Johnson, the long-time Bethany House Publishers editor and·Christian fiction pioneer·was honored. Appropriately enough, her Lifetime Achievement award from the organization was presented by Janette Oke, whose unsolicited prairie romance manuscript,·Love Comes Softly, paved the way for so many other wagons and buggies to follow on, when published in 1979. At the other end of the spectrum, redemptive horror writer·Ted Dekker continued to make waves. A blog posting about one publisher’s conservative guidelines on “Christian fiction” mores sparked a renewed debate about how far inspirational novels can go. Not as far as Dekker did in his edgy 18th-century vampire parable,·Immanuel’s Veins, according to the Dutch publisher of his author works, who decided not to take on his September release. One modern fairy tale seemed to come to an end in 2011—the maverick success of·The Shack. Many inspired by the way in which three men defied conventional wisdom and bucked the system to publish the book themselves—selling more than 12 million copies since the 2008 release—were dismayed to learn they had been·divided by a royalties dispute. Author William P. Young severed ties with publisher Windblown Media friends Brad Cummings and Wayne Jacobsen—who helped in revising the original manuscript—and went to court to get money he said he was owed. On a happier note, longtime Christian retail favorite·Max Lucado marked 25 years·of writing with news of having 80 million books in print to date and the release of his 25th title,·Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make a Difference·(Thomas Nelson), through which he sought to help recruit 25,000 new supporters of World Vision.·
by Christine D. Johnson ·Bible publishers threw their weight behind·digital titles, but also introduced a major study Bible and a new translation. Holman Bible Publishers, an imprint of B&H Publishing Group, introduced in October a major·new study edition, the·Holman Christian Standard Study Bible, on which it spent $100,000 on research. Aiming for readership in the·digital world·as well, the publisher posted the contents of the entire study Bible online at www.mystudyBible.com. Zondervan had a strong·online· A number of other publishers made their Bible products available in·free digital editions, including Crossway, which released a complimentary·ESV Bible·iPad app. Ahead of the print version to be introduced this spring, Zondervan’s·updated NIV·translation became available online. The print launch will see the retirement of the controversial Today’s New International Version. Zondervan’s Bible division fared well, reporting year-over-year·sales growth·due to the success of Lee Strobel’s·The Case for Christ Study Bible, a March release. In February, Holman Bible Publishers added to its·apologetics·line with the·Apologetics Study Bible for Students·with Sean McDowell as editor. Also useful for evangelism were the·low-priced outreach editions·from Crossway and Biblica/Authentic Media, which continued to do well on the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association’s best-seller charts. Bardin & Marsee’s unusual·Waterproof Bible·saw·new cover designs·and the appearance of its NIV edition on the QVC shopping channel. Appealing to young Christians, Thomas Nelson’s·Start: The Bible for New Believers·from pastor-evangelist Greg Laurie was a September release in the New King James Version.·Start·focuses on basic discipleship and·core biblical themes·introduced in simple language. For fans of literature, HarperOne teamed the writings of a classic apologist with the Scriptures in·The C.S. Lewis Bible. The New Revised Standard Version text was used in the November release.· Reaching back further in time, Hendrickson Publishers released in October·The Matthew Henry Study Bible. The King James edition’s features include Henry’s biography and footnotes. Moody Publishers teamed the popular NIV with the dispensational theology of Charles Ryrie and the·Ryrie Study Bible, aiming to extend its reach. Moody also announced that next February, the Ryrie will be paired with the English Standard Version (ESV). Abingdon Press is the conduit to consumers of a·brand-new translation·from an alliance of publishers from 22 faith traditions. The·Common English Bible New Testament, with color maps from·National Geographic, was introduced in October, with the full Bible to come in the fall. Celebrating the sales success of one of its top-selling Bibles, Tyndale House Publishers released in August·The Life Application Study Bible, Personal Size: Limited Anniversary Edition. Lacking new content, the draw for the anniversary edition of the New Living Translation Bible was its more compact size.
by Eric Tiansay ·A comic book version of the Scriptures, new additions to the·“princess” phenomenon·and a makeover of the “Chronicles of Narnia” series were among the new products to generate a buzz in the children’s segment. David C. Cook heavily promoted the September arrival of·The Action Bible, a 752-page updating of the successful·Picture Bible·by former Marvel Comics and DC Comics artist Sergio Cariello. The Brazilian-American artist’s work was showcased in July at Comic-Con in San Diego, the nation’s largest comic-book convention. A listening edition of·The Action Bible·was also released by Oasis Audio. David C. Cook Senior Director of Marketing Ginia Hairston said·The Action Bible—which initially sold out in some Christian bookstores—was “a perfect example” of new titles·targeted to the younger generation, who were “socially conscious, technology-driven and community-oriented.” Meanwhile, Tyndale House Publishers entered the princess market, releasing·My Princess Bible·in September. The board book highlighting stories of “some of the amazing women of the Bible” followed the July release of Big Idea’s·Sweetpea Beauty: A Girl After God’s Own Heart. The DVD was the first VeggieTales project specifically·geared to girls, offering a fairy-tale parody of Sleeping Beauty. Other princess brands already in the market include Thomas Nelson’s popular “Gigi, God’s Little Princess” children’s book series by Sheila Walsh, Zondervan’s “Princess Twins” children’s books and Thomas Nelson’s·God’s Princess Bible, which features the International Children’s Bible (ICB) translation. Elsewhere, the·“Chronicles of Narnia” series·saw new titles and new editions to mark the release of the third movie adaptation. HarperCollins brought out the books in the summer—through Zondervan at Christian retail—in advance of the December premiere of·The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of The Dawn Treader, from Walden Media and 20th Century Fox. New products included two “I Can Read” books for children aged 4 to 8,·The Voyage of the Dawn Treader:·Quest for the Lost Lords·and·The Voyage of the Dawn Treader:·Aboard the Dawn Treader.·The Voyage of the Dawn Treader·will also be available in·new editions, including a “read-aloud” edition and a book and audiobook CD package.
GIFTS:·Partnerships build business by Christine D. Johnson Gift·companies partnered·with each other, resulting in a·larger presence·in the market. The Alliance was one such partnership, seeing Precious Moments, DEXSA, Prinz, Fenton Art Glass and Cathedral Art Metal and others team up in a national independent sales organization representing noncompeting gift companies. Aiming to·increase visibility, a new multi-line, all-inspirational permanent showroom at AmericasMart in Atlanta brought together several Christian gift companies, including Holy Land Gifts, HeartSteps, Gifts of Faith and His Hands Laser. Other partnerships made for significant·licensing deals. Enesco announced plans to partner with Big Idea to develop and distribute new products featuring VeggieTales characters under Enesco brands, including Gund and Gregg Gift Co.· Even in tough economic times, Gregory Perkins, who heads African American Expressions (AAE), started·new company·Charis Gifts, broadening AAE’s customer base.· The year also saw some companies changing direction. Abbey Press stopped the presses on its longtime catalog division, while Divinity Boutique was absorbed into Nicole Brayden Gifts & Divinity Boutique. Grateful Images decided to·refocus on licensing·its art, and discontinued smaller items such as bookmarks and cards. After 85 years in business, candle maker Muench-Kreuzer Candle Co., also known as Emkay, announced significant layoffs and the discontinuing of unprofitable lines. Thomas Nelson announced the return of·high-end gift brand·J. Countryman, which was retired in the 2007 One Company Initiative, to make more of the “significant consumer value” in the name. New titles are to include a prestige line of devotionals, devotional journals and promise books. Thomas Nelson introduced·Jesus Calling: Deluxe Edition, a gift edition of its best-selling Sarah Young title, while B&H Books launched the·Love Dare Wedding Edition, a gift book related to the·Fireproof·movie. At P. Graham Dunn, the company’s annual Dealer Conference marked 10 years, while Peter Dunn, founder and president, stepped down earlier than planned due to injury from a cycling accident. In January, the company began a·new pricing structure·for independent stores, with Dunn calling the initiative “our economic stimulus plan,” offering independents up to 65% gross margin on qualifying orders. Swanson Christian Products marked·75 years·with the 75th edition of its catalog, including 75%-off specials. Founded in 1935, Swanson now operates as a not-for-profit ministry.· Bob Siemon Designs (BSD) saw a good response to a new·Seasonal Sales Program·introduced as the jewelry company marked its 40th anniversary. BSD also opened a warehouse showroom at its Santa Ana, Calif., headquarters. Like Swanson, several companies continued to emphasize their·mission focus. Apparel company Gardenfire partnered with The Voice of the Martyrs, donating $3 to its Bibles to Captive Nations Fund with the sale of every Bible Smuggler T-shirt. To benefit earthquake victims, apparel maker Kerusso sent pallets of its products to Haiti through Operation Compassion, a ministry of Church of God (Cleveland, Tenn.). Roman also donated product—2,000 rosaries—to Haitian churches.· DaySpring boosted shoppers’ spirits on Sept. 12, the National Day of Encouragement. The company gave away a half-million encouragement cards through active DaySpring retailers. Joining the general market in the· Continuing with novelties, family start-up company Band Angels sold more than 1 million of its “healing scripture bandages.” MUSIC:·GMA back on its feet, greats lost by Christine D. Johnson The Gospel Music Association (GMA) got·back on its financial feet, while the Christian music industry lost some of its greats. Ed Leonard, at the helm of GMA, announced in a letter to members and supporters that the association posted a profit for the first time in three years and saw its debt reduced to “a manageable amount,” averting a crisis. The association also announced it would·move GMA Dove Week·and its award ceremony out of Nashville to Atlanta in 2011. Meantime, the April week usually filled with events was scaled back.· Producer-songwriter Jason Ingram and Needtobreathe were the·big winners·during the 41st annual GMA Dove Awards. Needtobreathe earned three Doves and ended Casting Crowns’ five-year run in the Group of the Year category, but Casting Crowns won the fan-voted Artist of the Year. Brandon Heath was named Male Vocalist of the Year, while Francesca Battistelli ended Natalie Grant’s four-year run as Female Vocalist of the Year. Sidewalk Prophets was named New Artist of the Year. At the·Stellar Awards·held at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, Verity Records artist Hezekiah Walker and his Love Fellowship Choir took home five trophies, including Artist of the Year and Choir of the Year. Other top winners were Mary Mary, Vickie Winans and Smokie Norful. Honored for a·lifetime of work, artists Johnny Cash, DeGarmo & Key, Golden Gate Quartet and disc jockey Bill “Hoss” Allen were inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Jan. 24.· A former vice president with Ardent Records,·Dana Key·of DeGarmo & Key, the first Christian group with a video broadcast on MTV, died in June at age 56. The music industry also saw the loss of gospel greats·Walter Hawkins·and·Albertina Walker;·Doug Oldham, who recorded 64 albums and performed on the “Gaither Homecoming” videos; and 39-year-old drummer·Randy Miller·of The Myriad. It was a year of·new beginnings·for the Newsboys with the departure of frontman Peter Furler and the switch to Michael Tait, formerly of dcTalk. The result: top sales for the pop-rock group’s·Born Again·(inpop records/EMI CMG), as it became the second-highest Christian artist debut on the·Billboard·Overall chart and the third-highest debut on the SoundScan Contemporary Christian Overall chart for 2010. In·Southern gospel, the DVD·Ernie Haase & Signature Sound: A Tribute to the Cathedral Quartet·(Gaither Music Group/EMI CMG Distribution) reached No. 1 on·Billboard’s Music Video chart, topping the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. The CD was No. 1 on the Southern Gospel Music chart and No. 3 on the Contemporary Christian Music chart. Among other·key releases·were·And If Our God Is for Us…·by Chris Tomlin ();·Move·by Third Day;·Until the Whole World Hears Live·by Casting Crowns;·We Cry Out·by Jeremy Camp (BEC Recordings/EMI CMG);·Love God. Love People.·by Israel Houghton (Integrity Music/Columbia Records/Provident-Integrity); and·Wonder·by Michael W. Smith (Reunion Records/Provident-Integrity). More than 20 leading names in Christian music, including Newsboys and TobyMac, contributed to the·Help Haiti benefit CD, highlighted at retail on Christian Store Day, Oct. 23. Top tours·included The Winter Jam Tour Spectacular that ended its 15th year with record-breaking attendance. Visiting 44 cities, artists—including Third Day, NewSong, Newsboys, Tenth Avenue North and Fireflight—played to more than 403,000 people—organizers said. Live events·pairing music with speaking·continued strong, with Max Lucado speaking during the Make A Difference Tour 2010, which also featured Michael W. Smith, TobyMac, Jason Gray and Third Day, visiting 20 cities.·Blue Like Jazz·author Donald Miller joined artists Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken and Robbie Seay Band for the Love Tells The Story Tour. NICHE MARKETS:·Cautious hopes for growth by Eric Tiansay Special-interest suppliers and retailers launched·new divisions·and expanded, while niche-market companies and bookstores celebrated·significant milestones. African American Expressions—known for its stationery items, including greeting cards, calendars, checkbook planners, journals and address books—broadened its horizons, launching Charis Gifts as a general gift line.· The products included some featuring the work of well-known Christian artists—a departure for the Sacramento, Calif.-based company, which produces most of its own art. The Charis range launched at the International Christian Retail Show with around 150 items, including home décor, stationery and accessories being debuted. Meanwhile, Urban Ministries Inc. (UMI) marked its·40th anniversary·with a leadership addition. A former vice president at Focus on the Family, Terence Chatmon was appointed president of the Chicago-based supplier. He took over for C. Jeffrey Wright, who joined the business in 1995 as president and CEO and continues in the latter role. Operated from the basement of founder Melvin Banks’ home for the first 12 years, UMI has since become largest independent African-American publisher, with products including Sunday school curriculum, Vacation Bible School resources, books, videos and music. ·UMI’s·anniversary events·included sponsorship of the fourth annual McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour, which took place in several cities.· At ICRS in St. Louis, Munce Group presented a special cake at the group’s booth for members Joseph and Evelyn Curtiss, owners of Word of Life Christian Bookstore in Los Angeles, to mark their·50 years in the industry. Evelyn Curtiss is the chairwoman of the Christian African-American Booksellers Association. Elsewhere, industry leaders expressed·“guarded optimism” in the Hispanic area. Despite the continuing global recession, attendance was up and attendees were upbeat about the 18th annual Expolit conference in Miami, in May. David Ecklebarger, executive director of the Spanish Evangelical Products Association (SEPA) noted that industry was·“starting to turn the corner”·and that a number of bookstores that “were running level rather than losing ground.” Some Spanish-language publishers reported growth. “We had our best year so far, and 2010 is a special year with our 40th anniversary,” said Tito Mantilla, publisher of Editorial Portavoz (Kregel Publications’ Spanish imprint) and SEPA’s president.· Meanwhile, one of oldest and largest·Catholic bookstores·in Southern California re-opened in a new 2,000-square-foot location,·doubling its size. Previously located in Huntington Beach, Catholic Books & Gifts in Fountain Valley had its grand re-opening in March.· The family business run by Tom and Joanne Peters had provided Orange, Los Angeles and Riverside counties with faith-based products for more than 16 years.· |
