Press Release: Penguin Random House UK Launches Best-in-Class Consumer and Company Websites
LONDON—January 20, 2016—Penguin Random House UK is today launching two new websites: a Penguin-branded website for consumers, focusing on its authors, brands and books (penguin.co.uk) and a Penguin Random House UK company website for its business audiences (penguinrandomhouse.co.uk).
Coming together for the first time in one website, Penguin, Puffin and Ladybird – the publishing brands with the highest recognition among book buyers – will work on behalf of all of Penguin Random House UK’s publishing divisions’ authors, characters and brands, building direct relationships with readers and reaching wide audiences.
Penguin, Puffin and Ladybird each attract a huge number of visitors online and by working together will help readers find the content they want online, faster and more easily than ever before, acting as high-quality, trusted guides to reading from childhood through to adulthood.
Penguin.co.uk is the place where readers can lose themselves in books like never before. It is the place to discover unique voices from much-loved authors and debuts alike; the place to delve into the stories behind the stories and the place to forge deeper and richer relationships with authors, characters and the Penguin brand through exclusive and curated content and access.
At the same time, penguinrandomhouse.co.uk will inform and interest potential, new and existing employees, authors and partners with easy-to-access company information and insights, which give a flavour of what it is like to work for and with Penguin Random House UK.
Tom Weldon, CEO, Penguin Random House UK, said: “2015 has seen our Penguin-led consumer strategy go from strength-to-strength with the launch of Penguin Platform, the Penguin Podcast, the Summer of Penguin and the ongoing success of our social and email marketing.
“Now, with the launch of penguin.co.uk and penguinrandomhouse.co.uk, we are perfectly positioned to build on these successes; to show the strength and breadth of what we do as an entirely new kind of publisher and to be even more ambitious on behalf of our authors in 2016.”
Built on a world class Adobe platform and optimised for mobiles and tablets to make search and discovery quicker and easier than ever before, the websites have been built with readers in mind, following in-depth research to ensure that genuine audience needs are served.
Extensive research via Bookmarks, the 3,000-strong Penguin Random House UK Consumer Insight Panel, and face-to-face conversations with nearly 200 readers aged 8 to 68 years, informed the design and primary purpose of penguin.co.uk – namely that readers want to come to the website to get closer to the authors and characters they love. Readers said this takes precedence over other potential activities such as looking at reviews or buying books. Penguin.co.uk is designed with this insight at its heart and this will inform the ongoing investment in both content and functionality.
Every page has been shaped by a deep understanding of different types of UK consumers, meaning content on author pages is tailored to be as useful as possible and to capture the hearts and minds of audiences.
Key features include:
- Rich author hubs, with the latest news about authors, their books and next in series
- Genre pages, to discover, say, crime, romance or non-fiction authors and books
- Recommendations and exclusive features from Penguin Random House UK experts
- Easy navigation based on real audience needs
- A full product catalogue, including audiobooks and apps
In dedicated Ladybird and Puffin areas, parents and children can explore immersive character worlds inhabited by the likes of Peppa Pig, The Worst Witch and The Snowman; discover books according to age and stage, and play games, videos, audio and activities that inspire a love of reading in a new generation.
All Penguin Random House UK authors and brands feature on the website.
Hannah Telfer, Group Director Consumer and Digital Development, said: “This marks the beginning of a far deeper and richer relationship between Penguin, our authors and their readers. Penguin.co.uk is the place where readers can completely lose themselves in a world of stories and exclusive curated content about their favourite authors and books – whether they’re looking for adventure, debate, excitement or inspiration.
“From today we will experiment, test, and learn what works and continually evolve the site to ensure an unbeatable experience that will sit at the heart of our direct relationships with readers.”
The new company website gives a flavour of Penguin Random House UK, its eight publishers and their imprints for business audiences such as authors, agents, press, potential partners and job-seekers, and replaces the existing company and publisher websites.
Key features include:
- Dedicated areas to find out more about its individual publishing divisions and imprints
- Useful information and contacts for central teams such as Rights, Licencing, Partnerships and Digital
- Downloadable sales catalogues
- Publicity contacts by publisher
- Company news
Maureen Corish, Group Communications Director, said: “We now have a place to talk directly with our external audiences as one company and provide a true expression of our diverse business, our incredible publishing, and our award-winning brands. It is a major milestone in coming together as one company.”
The websites were designed and built in collaboration with user experience design agency, Clearleft, developers, Cognifide, and content agency, Echosix-River Film.
- Companies:
- Penguin Books
- Places:
- UK