U.K.-based Web site agrees to stop unauthorized posting of Christian books

The owner of a U.K.-based Web site has agreed to stop posting copyrighted materials of Christian books without permission—resolving a nearly seven-year legal battle by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA). 

The agreement follows the ECPA’s request, on behalf of a coalition of member publishers, that the High Court of Justice in London hold Andrew Amue in contempt of court for his repeated refusal to comply with a March 2008 court order. 

Well-known worship leader Darlene Zschech, 45, has left the Australian megachurch where she has served for 25 years to become senior pastor of a nearby Pentecostal church. Zschech, whose songs “Shout to the Lord,” “The Potter’s Hand,” “Glorify Your Name” and numerous others made the name of Hillsong Church in Sydney synonymous with modern worship music worldwide, will lead Church Unlimited on Australia’s Central Coast with her husband, Mark, starting Jan. 23. The Zschechs will still be involved in various Hillsong praise & worship projects.   

After six years of service, Graham Sopp stepped down at the end of last month as Biblica’s European ministries director. Sopp served in a number of roles, including U.K. national director and group vice president of Eurasia. He also provided leadership to STL Distribution’s U.K. operation following its merger with the International Bible Society in 2008.   ?

Eight Christian magazines in Eastern Europe, Asia and South America will receive free digital publishing software from FlipViewer Xpress Creator. The magazines won the prize in a Digital Publishing Platform Giveaway created by Magazine Training International (MTI) for E-Book Systems. The company donated the software as a support to MTI’s efforts to help Christian magazines in developing countries.   ?

U.S. Christian publishers reported an increase in appointments during the Oct. 12-16 Frankfurt Book Fair in Frankfurt, Germany,which drew more than 25 Christian publishers—represented by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association through its cooperative exhibit, also known as the Christian Collective. ECPA officials said that the increased appointments was attributed to the Christian Collective unable to attend the London Book Fair last year due to the Icelandic volcanic ash forcing the closure of London’s Heathrow Airport.

Nominating the top books, Bibles, gifts, music and more

Christian retailers will soon be asked to help name the best new Christian products of the year.

They will be invited to help select the 2011 Christian Retailing Retailers Choice Awards, widely acknowledged for recognizing some of the most significant new life-changing products in the Christian retail industry.

Planned P. Graham Dunn transition brought forward following family business founder’s injury 

Gift leader Peter Dunn has handed the reins of his family-run company to the next generation.

The 64-year-old has stepped down as president, naming son, Paul, and son-in-law, Joe Knutson, as co-presidents of the Dalton, Ohio-based company known for combining an accent on rustic styles with innovation.

Ellie Claire, Summerside Press acquisitions ‘leverage strengths’

Guideposts has acquired Ellie Claire Gift & Paper Expressions and its subsidiary, Summerside Press.The two become separate divisions under Guideposts. Ellie Claire

President Carlton Garborg will serve as senior vice president of Guideposts, running both entities.

The acquisition accomplishes “two key strategic objectives,” company officials said. Guideposts, which made the announcement in November, will be able to further expand into the retail market with Summerside Press titles, as well as offer Ellie Claire journals and gift products. Secondly, Minnesota-based Ellie Claire will benefit from having New York-based Guideposts’ 2 million subscribers, 6 million book buyers and nearly 9 million online users.   

Publishers and retailers urged to make celebration of African-American heritage relevant to all

Several Christian publishers are releasing titles geared to spotlight February as Black History Month (BHM), started in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson to recognize the contributions of African-Americans and to celebrate their heritage. 

Industry observers say it is important for publishers and retailers to help make BHM relevant to everyone—not just the African-American community. 

California-based marketing group also launches direct-to-consumer division to help retailers ‘be digitally relevant’

The Parable Group has revealed details of its proprietary direct-mail strategy, including its average catalog response rate. The San Luis Obispo, Calif.-based marketing group has also launched a new direct-to-consumer division. 

The direct-mail disclosures followed the publication of the Direct Marketing Association’s 2010 Response Rate Trend Report, which showed that catalogs mailed to in-house lists generated an average 2.66% response rate—while Parable has seen a consistent average response rate of more than 16% over the last four years, company officials said.