As part of its Global Connect program, Ingram Content Group has opened two more print-on-demand distribution hubs, in South Africa and Singapore. They complement Ingram's distribution network in the U.S., U.K., Australia, France, and Sharjah as well as nine other Global Connect locations in Brazil, China, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Poland, South Korea, and Spain.
Through Global Connect, publishers reach more countries by using local POD printers with relationships with sales channels in their markets. Distributors use POD technology to fulfill demand, ensuring books are supplied closer to both the reader and bookseller. Publishers from 97 countries and regions have joined Global Connect, which covers nearly 50% of the world's population.
Julian Sandell, Ingram Content Group's global business development manager, said, "By expanding into these countries, not only do we broaden the geographical reach of our program, but they strengthen our ability to provide readers worldwide direct access to an extensive catalog of titles. Publishers can now access readers in Singapore and South Africa with their titles, without having to ship stock overseas, with local print-on-demand fulfilment."
In other Ingram news, the company is launching MediaScout, an IP database and research tool designed to connect film and television industry professionals to books available for screen adaptation. MediaScout will allow searches of hundreds of thousands of titles and authors, including rights contact information and status when available. Publishers and agents are encouraged to upload rights information for studios and production companies to access and discover.
Shawn Morin, CEO of Ingram Content Group, said, "With MediaScout, Ingram is providing a powerful IP marketing service that will benefit not only authors and publishers, but film and production companies, too. Ingram has always been driven by technology to get more books into the hands of readers. By connecting film and TV studios to books that are available for screen, MediaScout is an extension of that innovative drive."
MediaScout is in a private beta phase and launches to the public in early 2025.