United States Golf Association Launches Digital Catalog

Nxtbook Media, a company that offers dynamic multimedia digital publishing solutions, announced that the United States Golf Association (USGA) has today launched an online digital version of its new spring 2004 catalog using Nxtbook technology, a Web-based e-reading application developed by Nxtbook Media. The 32-page digital catalog, which features 2004 U.S. Open merchandise, including mementoes, clothing, and other high-quality merchandise, is on the Web at www.usgacatalog.com and a print version is also being distributed to USGA Members and the general public.

The USGA began publishing digital versions of their catalog using Nxtbook technology last year and decided to continue after achieving positive results from two earlier catalogs. For example, the fall and winter catalog had more than 125,000 page views and had a global reach with more than 10 percent of readers from outside the United States.

Chris Johnson, Director, License and Merchandise Programs at the USGA, said “We think that Nxtbook offers a different approach to attracting traditional catalog customers, because the e-reading format of the catalog is very similar to the way that most people are used to looking at printed catalogs. Nxtbook also offered an easy way to put it up on our Web site. We see it as a  positive marketing tool, and the response from our customers has been enthusiastic.”

Nxtbook’s digital publishing platform is based on open standards, including HTML and JavaScript, which require no special plug-ins or downloading of proprietary software readers. The technology enables real-time results reporting of over 30 tracking points, including the number of readers who have accessed the catalog and time spent viewing the catalog.

President and CEO at Nxtbook Media, Michael Biggerstaff, said “We are extremely pleased that the United States Golf Association has selected Nxtbook for its latest catalog. We worked closely with this prestigious organization to help them extend the distribution of their traditional print catalog with the online format.”