History >
First a thriving small press, then 40 years of steady growth as a book distributor.
What Makes IPG Different? >
IPG offers more distribution programs, marketing channels, and support services than any other distributor.
General Marketing Approach >
For publishers: high selectivity and close consultation. For customers: intense human contact and state-of-the-art data feeds.
Sales Channels >
IPG has more sales channels than any other distributor.- National Retail Accounts
- National Wholesalers
- Mass Market Retailers
- Independent Booksellers and Regional Wholesalers
- Special Sales and The Gift Market
- Schools, School Libraries, and School Supply Stores
- Book Clubs and Foreign Rights
- The Professional and Academic Market
- The Spanish Language Market
- Canada
- International Sales
- Libraries
- Direct-to-Consumer Sales
Digital Services >
Since 2001 IPG has provided e-book conversion, consolidation, storage, and distribution, and very favorable rates for POD printing.
Specific Services for Publishers >
Pre-pub consultation, sales meetings and shows, access to Bookscan, Publicity and PR, advertising opportunities, and much more.
Operations >
State-of-the-art software and Distribution Center facilities; 24-hour turn time on orders.
Financial Condition & Payment Policies >
IPG's client publishers have been, without exception, paid in full and on time. IPG has no long-term debt at all.
Distribution Agreement >
IPG takes a fee based on net billing but no fees (unlike most distributors) for the storage of active titles, in-out charges, sample copies, etc.
FAQs >
Any questions? Check out answers to frequently asked questions from customers, clients, and current publishers.
Sales Meetings
For most of its distribution programs, IPG holds twice yearly sales meetings at which its client publishers can, if they choose to, present their new titles for the coming season to the IPG sales force. For many years these meetings have been held at the Cornell Club in Midtown Manhattan. They completely fill two days, usually a Saturday and a Sunday. Participating publishers need attend only the part of the meeting that deals with their own titles.
The meeting is structured like this: both in-house salespeople and the IPG commissioned reps, about 30 people in all, sit in a circle with the publisher, and each new title is the subject of an often very lively conversation, the point of which is to find sales hooks and to anticipate possible marketing problems. These salespeople are seasoned professionals and their remarks are insightful.
The major IPG catalogs are ready for these meetings, and they are supplemented by sales kits for each new title that contain tip sheets, blads, sample interiors, tables of content, information on competing titles, publicity plans, and author information. Lunches and a cocktail party hosted by IPG give publishers an opportunity to interact directly with members of the sales force.
