Nielsen BookData, the world’s leading provider of bibliographic data and retail sales monitoring for print books, has partnered with the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) to digitize title listings and boost the growth of the U.A.E.’s publishing industry. This collaboration aims to generate new opportunities for the EPA and its members to expand their businesses, forge strategic partnerships, and delve into new possibilities for selling, purchasing, and translating copyrights.

The EPA embarked on this pioneering partnership in November 2022. As part of this collaboration, Nielsen BookData is extending its expertise to publishers based in the United Arab Emirates, with EPA members receiving priority support. The study aims to enhance bibliographic data accuracy and adherence to international standards, ensuring greater global discoverability and increased sales opportunities for Emirati publishers.

By September 2023 Nielsen BookData had contacted 142 Emirati publishers and received data files from around 61 publishers and distributors; it had also grown the number of titles with THEMA classification to 10,000.

One of the significant advantages of this partnership is the EPA’s access to normalized bibliographic data, which will ease the development of its database to promote the work of local publishing companies at international book fairs.

Bibliographic metadata plays a crucial role in various aspects of the publishing and book industry. Developing a metadata study specifically for U.A.E. will provide valuable insights to publishers, enabling them to optimize book content and marketing strategies for their local market. This will lead to increased discoverability, broader reach, and improved sales of Emirati books both in the U.A.E. and internationally.

Additionally, the development of metadata for Emirati books offers another advantage: book metadata serves as a powerful tool that aids publishers in selling movie rights for book adaptations. It enhances discoverability, facilitates rights management, and supports targeted marketing efforts, making it easier for filmmakers to find compelling stories and negotiate adaptations that benefit both the book’s author and the film industry.

Overall, accurate and detailed metadata is essential for the effective functioning of the book industry, ultimately benefiting authors, publishers, booksellers, libraries, and readers alike. Moreover, when tailored to the U.A.E. market, metadata can boost the success of Emirati books within the country and internationally while also opening doors for potential movie adaptations that further expand the book’s reach and impact.

“We are thrilled about our partnership with Nielsen BookData, which allows us to strengthen our position in the international publishing landscape,” said Rashid Alkous, Executive Director of the EPA, continuing: “This collaboration empowers bibliographic data, enhancing the effectiveness of our database and our Manassah initiative. We are deeply grateful for the visionary leadership and tireless efforts of Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi in establishing and nurturing the growth of Emirati publishing and wholeheartedly acknowledge the profound impact her efforts have had on the growth and development of our industry.”

Vikrant Mathur, Executive Director at Nielsen BookData, added: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with the Emirates Publishers Association on this project. Since November 2022, we have been working with EPA members and publishers based in the U.A.E. to share our knowledge and metadata expertise to help digitise their title listings and enhance the discoverability of their books. The results achieved so far offer great opportunities to the United Arab Emirates’ publishing industry.”

In addition to cataloguing and marketing support, the EPA and Nielsen BookData will jointly organize a series of workshops for Emirati publishers to introduce publishers to the best international practices in the publishing sector. The EPA is eager to enrich Arab culture regionally through this initiative and to extend its leadership in preserving copyrights and supporting Emirati writers and publishers.

For more information about the project email: mamdouh.wanli.consultant@nielseniq.com or tel: +971 50 1458857.