Print Buying

We bring you the buzz from the wider media sphere, across the world and across the web. This week: Random House US boosts e-book offering; Next opts for print for Christmas ads; calls for digital site promotion; internet ad figures grow; Future sees ad revenues rise

US Publisher plans to digitise thousands of books
Random House US plans to make thousands of additional books available in digital form. The publisher, which already has more than 8,000 e-books, said that e-book sales have increased by triple digit percentages in 2008.

Next opts for press rather than TV campaign
Clothing retailer Next has decided not to launch a Christmas TV campaign this year as its marketing budget will instead be poured into press and advertising. Last month the retailer revealed a 4.4% fall in like-for-like sales for the 14 weeks to November 1.

Media owners must prove the value of digital sites
Outdoor media owners are being urged to promote digital sites and prove they are worth more than static ones if they are to attract more advertisers, say agency leaders.

Internet is only advertising medium to grow
The internet is the only advertising medium expected to show growth between 2007 and 2013, with its compound annual growth rate thought to be up by 10.6%. Press over the same period is predicted to be down by 9.3%, radio by 6.1% and outdoor down by 0.6%.

Future announces ad revenue and circulation increases
Publishing group Future has announced a 3% increase in ad revenues, bucking the general trend among media owners. The firm said ad revenues for October to December would be ahead of the same period of 2007, on the back of circulation increases across its titles.