Hachette’s Grand Central Publishing division has entered into a partnership with the gospel record label Kingdom Records Inc. that will pair African-American authors and gospel musicians in cross-promotional marketing efforts and events.
Linda Duggins, director of multicultural publicity at the Hachette Book Group, said the goal of the collaboration, “is to bridge the gap in the African-American market between brands to reach new audiences by doing a combination of events and promotions.” Duggin said that “with 53% of American-Americans attending church regularly, we are committed to connect with this vital segment of the marketplace via bookstores as well as churches.
Duggins said the venture will include efforts to match authors of African-American Christian fiction such as Michele Andrea Bowen (More Church Folk) and the newly signed novelist Kimberla Lawson Roby (Love, Honor and Betray) with Kingdom Record artists like Tonya Baker and The Whispers in events that market books to music fans and music to book fans. Efforts will include offers of free music downloads included on bookmarks, authors web sites, e-mail blasts and other book promotions. In addition, Duggins said Grand Central Publishing authors will appear for signings and readings in churches associated with Kingdom Records’ recording artists. The partnership will launch with promotional events around movie star Pam Grier’s new bestselling memoir Foxy.
Michael Towns, national sales manager of Kingdom Records, said “the idea of partnering our music with the artistry of the scribes of our time is simply awesome. Our partnership with Grand Central brings the kind of sophisticated outreach that our combined audiences deserve.”
