Baker & Taylor, Inc. Announces Partnership with Gardners Books to Give UK Publishers New and Integrated Distribution Opportunities

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October 12, 2011
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Baker & Taylor, Inc. Announces Partnership with Gardners Books to Give UK Publishers New and Integrated Distribution Opportunities

FRANKFURT, Germany, October 12, 2011/PRNewswire/ --

   
          - New Deal Provides Unique Sales Outlets to Thousands of UK
                                Publishers -

    Baker & Taylor, Inc., the world's largest distributor of physical and
digital books and entertainment products, and Gardners Books Limited,
Britain's leading book wholesaler, today announced an agreement to expand
the international content in Baker & Taylor's network. The partnership will
allow Gardners Books' nearly 1,000 ebook publishers to reach customers
around the world via Blio, which is forecasted to be pre-installed on
millions of consumer reading devices worldwide.

    (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090529/CL24290LOGO )

    "Blio is the premiere ereading experience that can uniquely bring
content to life for readers. While there is already a wide range of rich
content and best sellers available, this partnership makes Blio more
relevant and attractive to global users," said Linda Gagnon, Senior Vice
President of Digital Media Services & Business Development at Baker &
Taylor. "Together we can offer customers a global solution tailored to match
local tastes. Gardners Books will also manage the Blio online store for
customers in the United Kingdom, to ensure that the latest and best content
is highlighted."

    Blio, the free reading application that truly brings to life digital
content, offers an unparalleled reading experience for both narrative and
illustrated titles. Blio, developed by K-NFB Reading Technologies, is
currently available for the Windows, Android, and iOS operating systems,
with more in development. Leading manufacturers and mobile providers are
pre-loading Blio on their devices, including tablets, mobile phones,
computers, and netbook devices.

    "Blio is an exciting development in the fast moving world of digital
publishing and Gardners Books is delighted to bring this new software to
publishers in the UK. The association with Baker & Taylor will create a
unique opportunity for publishers in the UK & US to benefit from the
extensive sales and marketing reach available in both markets," said Bob
Jackson, Commercial Director of Gardners Books.

    Baker & Taylor and Gardners Books will be exhibiting at the Frankfurt
International Book Fair from October 12th - 16th.

    About Baker & Taylor
Baker & Taylor, Inc. ( http://www.baker-taylor.com) is the world's
largest distributor of books, digital content and entertainment products.
The company leverages its unsurpassed worldwide distribution network to
deliver rich content in multiple formats, anytime and anywhere. Baker &
Taylor offers cutting-edge digital media services and innovative technology
platforms to thousands of publishers, libraries and retailers worldwide.
Baker & Taylor also offers industry-leading customized library services and
retail merchandising solutions. Baker & Taylor is proud to power Blio
(blioreader.com), the world's most flexible, engaging and revolutionary
e-reading application. Charlotte, N.C.-based Baker & Taylor is majority
owned by Castle Harlan Partners IV, L.P., an institutional private equity
fund managed by Castle Harlan, Inc., a leading private equity investment
firm.

    Baker & Taylor and the Baker & Taylor logo are trademarks of Baker &
Taylor Inc. Blio is a trademark of K-NFB Reading Technology, Inc. Other
company and product names mentioned for identification purposes may be
trademarks of their respective owners.

    About Gardners Books

    Gardners Books was founded in 1986 and is Britain's leading independent
book, DVD, Blu-ray and music CD wholesaler, stocking over 4.5 million book
titles, over 170,000 eBooks, over 50,000 DVD and Blu-ray titles and 100,000
music CDs. Additional services include e-commerce solutions, drop-ship
fulfillment, the Gardlink Epos System, publisher distribution services and
Print on Demand. The Independent Booksellers Affiliate Programme was
launched in 2010. Gardners also sponsors the UK Independent Bookseller of
the Year Awards.

Source: Baker & Taylor, Inc.

Kimberly Kuo of Baker & Taylor, +1-704-998-3118, Kimberly.Kuo@baker-taylor.com; or Bob Kelly of Gardners Books, bob.kelly@gardners.com

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