(Nashville, TN) ACM Digital, Inc. announces the launch of its MY|eebo™ brand to sell all categories of downloadable Christian entertainment: eBooks, music, audiobooks/audio Bibles, and streaming rentals of movies, music videos, and kids’ videos.

“It’s the overall strategy that makes MY|eebo distinctly different from others in the Christian eCommerce channel,” declared David Amster, Chief Innovation Officer. “Our objective is three-fold: Provide independent Christian retailers with a solid digital service to give them a competitive edge with Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple; significantly improve the online browsing and discovery experience for eBooks and music; and create a way for retailers to partner with churches.” To accomplish this, the MY|eebo brand consists of a website, apps for iOS (iPad and iPhone), Android tablets and Kindle Fire, and its own branded MY|eebo Color Tablet.

The myeebo.com website design is decidedly different from nearly all other websites selling multiple entertainment media categories. “Far too often, too many products are featured on the homepage which creates visual clutter,” explained Amster. “We created what we call the ‘magic shelf’ that keeps the site user from having to scroll down the webpage but still able to view new releases, best sellers, value titles, and featured titles such as Gold Medallion and Carol Fiction Award winners.”

The website is the first in its category in the Christian channel to be fully integrated into social media. Registered customers can be automatically logged back into the site through their Facebook or Twitter accounts. Comments on eBooks and music albums can immediately be posted on the user’s Facebook page.

Another first-in-its-category is that the website was built using HTML 5 the latest version of the web programming language. There are many advantages to this both in the background operation that a site user never sees, as well as features that are very obvious. One of these is the website’s ability to know when it is on a mobile device so that it can automatically render the look of the webpage so that elements aren’t extremely small. “This is not just a very cool feature,” said Amster. “It is very helpful for tablets so that far less expanding and pinching of the screen has to be done.”

The website is still in beta mode. ACM is planning a full launch on December 17.

For consumers that already owned an iPad, Android OS tablet such as Nexus™ (Google), Galaxy™ (Samsung), Eee Pad™ (Asus), Xoom™ (Motorola), Thrive™ (Toshiba), or a host of others, and Kindle Fire (and Fire HD), the MY|eebo Reader™ app is available. The app is downloadable from the Google Play on Android tablets. The Kindle Fire app must be downloaded at the myeebo.com website. Except with the iPad app, the MY|eebo Reader app has the eBookstore tied into it. The iPad is expected to be available in the Apple App Store before the end of December. The Reader app is also integrated into social media making it simple to highlight a part of the book text and immediately post it to Twitter and Facebook.

Another key strategy of the MY|eebo brand is how it is being introduced through independent retail store locations across the United States. “This is just the latest in a series of products they (ACM/Integra) have designed to support local, family owned businesses. They are the key to keeping us competitive in the digital age,” said Mike Meece, owner Handfuls on Purpose in Marion, IL.

According to Chris Smith, ACM Digital Vice-President of Operations, over 125 retail locations purchased exclusive geographical Territories. In first quarter 2013 ACM Digital plans to add another 75 Territories. From his background in Store Planning/Design Amster knew that it would take more than just signs displayed inside the store to introduce the MY|eebo brand. Each retail location has an eBook Introduction Center with a demonstration MY|eebo Color Tablet on a cable retractor for shoppers to play with. “The Introduction Center is the in-store focal point, a large display that ‘legitimizes’ the entire offering and makes everything very competitive with Amazon and Barnes & Noble,” stated Smith. Additional merch materials include 10-35 permanent shelf talkers and bookmarks placed in customers’ shopping bags that promote the brand. Email marketing to the retailer’s customer base is also being used. Retailers earn commissions on consumers that live within its Territory that buy downloadable entertainment from MY|eebo.

David Lewis, Executive Vice President for Baker Publishing Group offered his perspective, “We think the MY|eebo brand offers retailers one of the stronger solutions to compete in the market place for the ebook reading customer.”

Retailers are strongly encouraged to extend their reach through an affiliation with churches within their Territory. “This is a very simple, but compelling service for churches that adds revenue to the retailer that almost assuredly would not be gained any other way and returns donations to the churches which can be used to help fund a specific project,” said Amster. ACM Digital has created DVD presentation materials for the retailer to use in offering the service to the church. Responses from churches have been stronger than ACM anticipated. Amster added that one retailer has invited ACM to make a presentation to 800 pastors at a gathering partly sponsored by the store.

It took over eighteen months to bring the right tablet to market. “Finding the right manufacturing partner was part of the challenge,” explained Amster, “But getting the right mix of tablet features was also crucially important.” The tablet has an 8” touch screen using the same height-to-width ratio as the iPad giving it more viewing area than Kindle, Kobo, nook, and Nexus tablets. Its operating system is Android 4.1 (the latest version known as Jelly Bean). More than a half-dozen of the most popular apps are preloaded plus the ESV and KJV Bibles. A small selection of preloaded eBooks and songs are also included. “The mix of front and rear cameras, ports for HDMI, USB and MicroSD card, support for 500,000+ Android apps, and priced at $179 is unparalleled,” declared Jay Weygandt Vice-President of Customer Experience. He added that many retailers presold MY|eebo Color Tablets even before receiving their Introduction Center with one retailer preselling eleven tablets. Stores have been reordering 15 to 50 tablets shortly after receiving their first shipment. “We are especially pleased that those who know the most about tablets are the most enthusiastic and amazed,” added Weygandt. A sturdy case is available for the MY|eebo Color Tablet. The case folds in a manner that also creates an easel-back configuration. It sells for $24.95. Two Bible cover companies have inquired about creating case for the MY|eebo Color Tablet and its anticipated that more styles will be available after the first of the year.

The myeebo.com website initial offering is a broad selection of eBooks and music. Audiobooks and audio Bibles will be added in first quarter 2013. It’s projected that by late summer 2013 streaming rentals of movies, kids’ videos and music videos will be added to the catalog.

ACM Digital, Inc. is a Nashville-based privately-held company focused on connecting consumers with downloadable Christian entertainment. It is closely aligned with Integra Interactive, Inc., well-known for its myMEDIA BurnBar™ kiosks in nearly 500 Christian retail store locations across the U.S., Canada and select worldwide locations.