Bill Kasdorf Awarded Industry Champion Award by BISG

The Industry Champion Award recognizes an individual whose efforts have gone beyond the requirements of his or her position to advance the publishing industry while embracing BISG's mission. It was awarded to Bill Kasdorf, Vice President, Apex Content Solutions, for his work as Chair of the Content Structure Committee and on its signature EPUB 3 Support Grid, his close involvement in the Committee's working groups, and his many broader efforts to improve standards throughout the industry. The shortlist included Graham Bell, Executive Director, EDItEUR; Maureen McMahon, President and Publisher, Kaplan Publishing; and Richard Stark, Director of Product Data, Barnes & Noble.

The Industry Innovation Award recognizes a company or individual who boldly reimagines what publishing is and can be. It was awarded to BitLit (represented by Peter Hudson, Founder & CEO) for its innovative bundling app that allows publishers to offer a discounted digital edition of a book the consumer already owns, regardless of the source of their purchase. The shortlist also included BookShout (Jason Illian, CEO); eBook Architects (Joshua Tallent, Chief eBook Architect); Library for All (Rebecca Macdonald, Founder and CEO); and Next Big Book (Alex White, CEO & Co-Founder).

As previously announced, Judith Appelbaum, Managing Director, Sensible Solutions, is the 2014 recipient of the BISG Lifetime Service Award, which recognizes an individual's outstanding work on behalf of BISG over the course of a career. Appelbaum has been a longtime member of the BISG Board of Directors, was the chair of BISG's Publications Committee and Co-Chair of the Rights Committee, and is a member of the Executive Committee, with a constant focus on making the process of bringing content to readers smoother and more efficient.
BISG Executive Director Len Vlahos said, "Today, BISG honors the recipients and nominees instrumental in the industry's shifts to meet the evolving needs of consumers and authors. We are delighted that the industry came together to validate our collective achievements and honor these individuals. Our sincere congratulations on their well deserved recognition."