The Washington Post‘s business development unit just unveiled a new experiment–allowing readers to purchase books mentioned in the paper’s book coverage via Amazon.com’s (AMZN) Amazon Associates program. Book links on the site will go to a new Post store, where the paper will receive a percentage of any sales from Amazon.
GalleyCat asked Washington Post Book World‘s deputy editor Ron Charles for more information, but he stressed in an email that “I really don’t know anything about this program except what I read this morning in the press release. Advertising and editorial are kept entirely separate.”
We contacted the communications department with our questions, and they passed along a release with quotes from Goli Sheikholeslami, the Post‘s digital general manager and product development vice-president. The complete release follows after the jump…
Here’s more from the Post‘s release: “The Post‘s news and editorial departments are not involved in placing the links. Post store links are automatically embedded by a non-editorial team after a review is posted and regardless of the nature of the book review. Links to the store are clearly labeled as commerce links. ‘If this test is successful, we will consider expanding the range of product offerings and participating online retailers,’ said Sheikholeslami.”
The Washington Post Launches Trial Online Store
30-Day Experiment Features Books
WASHINGTON–November 24, 2009–The Washington Post today announced it is launching an online store on a trial basis that will enable readers to purchase books through The Post’s web site.
“The Post store is intended to be a convenient service for our online readers and a new source of revenue for our business. Making it easier for our readers to get news and tools relevant to their lives is a major part of The Post’s overall strategy, and we’re excited to engage our readers in the process and hear their feedback,” said Goli Sheikholeslami, General Manager, Digital and Vice President, Product Development.
During the initial trial, readers will be able to purchase books reviewed on The Post’s site by clicking on links to The Post store. Amazon.com is the online bookseller for the trial. The Post will receive a percentage of any sales transacted through The Post store as part of the Amazon Associates program.
The Post’s news and editorial departments are not involved in placing the links. Post store links are automatically embedded by a non-editorial team after a review is posted and regardless of the nature of the book review. Links to the store are clearly labeled as commerce links.
“If this test is successful, we will consider expanding the range of product offerings and participating online retailers,” said Sheikholeslami.
For more information, visit http://astore.amazon.com/washingtonpost-20.
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