• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, September 12, 2005

Zinio Systems, a pioneer in the field of digital magazine editions--exact replicas of print magazines downloaded to a computer screen--Monday announced two developments that would simultaneously extend its reach worldwide and into the retail marketplace.

As part of a massive ramp-up, Zinio launched what it dubbed a "global newsstand," a new international distribution channel designed to electronically extend the reach of magazines that previously may have had a difficult time justifying the economics of shipping print editions to overseas markets. The so-called Zinio Global Newsstand Network officially launches today, enabling publishers to market digital editions of both foreign and domestic titles in the language and currency of member countries including the U.S., U.K., Poland, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan, and Thailand. Zinio President Jeff Bruce said many other markets are scheduled to join the network.

Separately, Zinio announced a merger with Blue Dolphin, a major online retailer of magazine subscriptions, currently representing online subscription sales for more than 1,300 magazine titles in both print and digital formats. As part of the deal, Zinio closed a $7 million venture capital deal.

The merger gives Zinio an immediate relationship with hundreds of magazine publishers, expanding its burgeoning digital publishing network. Currently, Zinio publishes more than 400 digital editions, and announced that Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., publisher of Car and Driver, Road & Track, Women's Day, Elle, and other enthusiast titles, plans introduce digital editions via Zinio.

In the past several weeks, Playboy announced plans to publish a digital edition of its flagship magazine, and Zinio announced a deal with magazine audience researcher Mediamark Research Inc. to develop research methods for digital editions and the means to compare their readership to print editions--a critical component for Madison Avenue to buy into the burgeoning medium.

One of the key advantages of the new global newsstand is that print publishers will have instantaneous access to international subscribers at a fraction of the costs of printing and postal expenses now associated with distributing to foreign markets.

The plan also includes instant "sampling" of digital editions for readers before they subscribe, as well as immediate access to their first issue digitally, eliminating what is estimated to be a six- to eight-week waiting period for first issues of print editions.