The year in review Cappelen Damm
Tom Harald Jenssen, Managing Director of Cappelen Damm abour the year 2009.
Which key words describe 2009?
2009 was a bright, exciting and promising year for the Norwegian book sector. The enthusiastic and highly qualified employees of Cappelen Damm, Tanum and Sentraldistribusjon made 2009 a particularly rewarding year for the publisher, Cappelen Damm.
What was satisfactory in 2009?
Most of Cappelen Damm’s activities developed positively in 2009. The most important single event was the move to new premises in the centre of Oslo. The relocation also marked the conclusion of the merger between Cappelen and Damm. Cappelen Damm – Norway’s largest publishing company – now resides under one roof.
Which were the highlights of 2009?
The year’s publishing list featured some outstanding qualitative and commercial highlights. The company has many good Norwegian authors under its wings. We have also captured an additional market share in educational materials. Despite the declining market, we have increased our book clubs’ revenue and profitability, and the book store chain, Tanum AS, has made its best results ever.
What was your greatest challenge?
The Norwegian book market is one of Europe’s best operating markets. The work of maintaining the fixed-price system is demanding and crucial to the future of the industry, as is the work of ensuring VAT exemption and a fixed-price system for e-books.
Which changes do you expect in 2010?
The digitalisation of e-books, web sales, and the development of digital educational materials, particularly for further education, will have increased importance in the future. However, Gutenberg’s brilliant invention will continue to be at the heart of our main product for many years to come. Like all other media businesses, the publishing industry will have to keep finding ways to modernise its operations.
From which digital initiatives do you expect the most in 2010?
We expect book sales via internet to grow. The development of digital textbooks and the related payment systems will begin to have an impact on the educational publications, in the years to come.
2009 was a bright, exciting and promising year for the Norwegian book sector. The enthusiastic and highly qualified employees of Cappelen Damm, Tanum and Sentraldistribusjon made 2009 a particularly rewarding year for the publisher, Cappelen Damm.
What was satisfactory in 2009?
Most of Cappelen Damm’s activities developed positively in 2009. The most important single event was the move to new premises in the centre of Oslo. The relocation also marked the conclusion of the merger between Cappelen and Damm. Cappelen Damm – Norway’s largest publishing company – now resides under one roof.
Which were the highlights of 2009?
The year’s publishing list featured some outstanding qualitative and commercial highlights. The company has many good Norwegian authors under its wings. We have also captured an additional market share in educational materials. Despite the declining market, we have increased our book clubs’ revenue and profitability, and the book store chain, Tanum AS, has made its best results ever.
What was your greatest challenge?
The Norwegian book market is one of Europe’s best operating markets. The work of maintaining the fixed-price system is demanding and crucial to the future of the industry, as is the work of ensuring VAT exemption and a fixed-price system for e-books.
Which changes do you expect in 2010?
The digitalisation of e-books, web sales, and the development of digital educational materials, particularly for further education, will have increased importance in the future. However, Gutenberg’s brilliant invention will continue to be at the heart of our main product for many years to come. Like all other media businesses, the publishing industry will have to keep finding ways to modernise its operations.
From which digital initiatives do you expect the most in 2010?
We expect book sales via internet to grow. The development of digital textbooks and the related payment systems will begin to have an impact on the educational publications, in the years to come.
March 2010
