Launched as a division of Zondervan in 2008, Symtio is a multi-channel digital media platform that enables customers to purchase and access digital media-including e-books, audiobooks, music and video-online or through an in-store card program.

Hosting book fairs at local Christian schools and using photo books to help staff identify local pastors and church members when they come in the store were among the innovative ideas that won Jim and Lorraine Valk CBA's top honor for retailing excellence for the couple's Banner Books Parable Christian Store of St. Joseph in St. Joseph, Mich.

The Valks received the Jim Carlson National CBA Spirit of Excellence Award-to "recognize retailers who walk the extra mile in pursuit of excellence through Christian retailing," said CBA Executive Director Curtis Riskey-during the CBA Member Luncheon.

More than 50 attendees representing industry leadership and retailers packed the presentation room in the ICRS Town Center last night to pray for the state of the Christian products industry, including CBA's new leader.

Prayer was held specifically for CBA Executive Director Curtis Riskey, with several individuals gathering around him. Brian Banashak, owner of Evergreen Press, who organized the event for the second year in a row, praised Riskey for someone "who courageously stepped up to the plate." Riskey took on the leadership of CBA after longtime association President Bill Anderson resigned last October.

CBA unveiled details of its latest channel-exclusive campaign, an effort to reach out to young mothers and also connect with local churches.

Partnering with Baker Publishing Group (BPG) for a channel special for the first time, CBA is encouraging retailers carry the exclusive edition of Shelly Radic's Momology: A Mom's Guide to Raising Great Kids (Revell), which Baker co-published with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International where Radic is interim CEO.

Featuring a bonus chapter from author and psychologist Kevin Leman, the book will be made available to stores in cases of 20 that can be folded into display pieces, and sold for $9.99 each-down from the usual $13.99 price. Each copy also includes a free first-time membership to MOPS International.

The pioneer gift company has been enjoying record sales since launching its line of novelty Faithbands earlier in the year. Around 30 million of the shaped elastic wristbands featuring religious symbols have been sold.

Christian retailers are going to have to wait longer than they had hoped for the follow-up movie from the makers of Fireproof, credited along with its tie-in bestseller, The Love Dare, for helping keep some stores in business.

Courageous, the police drama addressing issues of fatherhood that has just finished shooting, will likely not be released in theaters until fall 2011, Stephen Kendrick, co-writer and producer, said yesterday.

"Of course, we would like for the movie to come out real soon, but we will just have to be patient," he said. Editing will take the next few months, to be followed by advance screenings of the film for churches and other groups the makers hope will get behind it.

"Then the summer hits and there will be several superhero movies coming out at the same time, so we have to dodge the tidal wave and wait for a window," he said. The delay will "give us a little more time to partner with ministries and get our ducks in a row."

In the meantime, he and his brother Alex, who partnered on the making of Fireproof and the writing of The Love Dare, will also work on a book for B&H Publishing Group that will address issues related to Courageous, Kendrick said.

Christian fiction pioneer Carol Johnson's role in championing and establishing what is now one of Christian publishing's most popular categories was recognized with the naming of a top annual award in her honor.

The American Christian Fiction Writers' (ACFW) highest annual Book of the Year Award will be known as The Carol Award from this year, when the prizes are presented at the group's annual conference in Indianapolis, in September.