Apple's Agency Model 'Good in Theory' But Jury Still Out, Says Analyst
INSIDER: What are the implications of the new "agency model," and Apple's latest entry into the book-selling business with its new iBook Store?
NORRIS: Apple's model sounds good in theory but I want to see how it works in practice—there's always a difference in what we hope something will do and what it actually does. The thing that I like right off that bat is that it finally made Amazon defensive on its self-serving $9.99 pricing model and empowered smart publishers like [Macmillan CEO] John Sargent to call Amazon's bluff. An entity saying they know how much a book or e-book should cost is pure nonsense. The market makes that call, not some company trying to buy its market share one loss-leader at a time.
- People:
- Michael Norris
Matt Steinmetz is the publisher and brand director of Publishing Executive.