Buy it faster
A typical post today on the news site, CoverAwards.com, shows the new Sports Illustrated cover. “With five gold medals and counting, it’s easy to say that Michael Phelps is stealing the show,” the post says. “And Sport Illustrated debuts its latest cover featuring Phelps. Click here to buy it now!” The “click here” link brings you to Universal News on Demand, a site built by Universal News — a bricks-and-mortar magazine retailer that carries some 6,000 titles.

“This will help build buzz for publishers,” Mr. Pasetsky said. “I don’t think there’s anything more valuable than creating a discussion around a magazine cover.”

For the complete article, click here.

Agreement Demonstrates First Significant Example of Major Independent News Website to Aggressively Promote Print Sales for All Publishers

New York, NY – August 13, 2008 – CoverAwards, the news website developed by Life & Style’s former editor-in-chief Mark Pasetsky, today announced a cross-promotional agreement with Universal News, the largest independent retailer in New York City and the largest independent retailer of international press in the United States.

Under the terms of the agreement, CoverAwards (http://www.coverawards.com) will feature links directly to Universal News’ online sales service (http://www.UniversalNewsOnDemand.com) within posts featuring a magazine or newspaper cover.

Consumers can purchase the individual magazine or select from 6,000 titles from around the world. Universal News offers consumers in NYC delivery in less than two hours, as well as cost-effective national and international delivery. In addition, CoverAwards will be promoted in Universal News’ chain of stores via video and Internet café promotions.

“This is significant news for the publishing industry which continues to face challenges in selling print copies,” said Mark Pasetsky, Editorial Director & Publisher, CoverAwards. “It represents the first example of a major independent news website that is aggressively promoting print sales for all publishers and at the same time not cannibalizing the print product. Today’s announcement also represents our commitment to continuing to build the CoverAwards’ brand among publishers, advertisers and consumers.”

“This agreement demonstrates Universal News’ unique ability to increase the print sales and improve sell-through for publishers in today’s challenging newsstand environment,” said Justine Kawas, Vice President, Communications, Universal News. “The direct links from CoverAwards to UniversalNewsOnDemand will help publishers reach existing newsstand buyers in a convenient fashion as well as new consumers that may not traditionally have access to their newsstand product.”

About CoverAwards

CoverAwards delivers a quick, visual take on the biggest stories of the day in celebrity, fashion, lifestyle, media, politics, special interest, sports and teen news. CoverAwards is published by Tecktonik Media, which is headquartered in New York.

About Universal News

Universal News is the largest independent retailer in New York City and the largest independent retailer of international press in the USA.

Contact:

Mark Pasetsky / CoverAwards / 212.243.8543 / mark@coverawards.com

Justine Kawas / Universal News / 212.594.3113 / justine@universalnewsnyc.com