In 2021 Australia Reads will further expand beyond the showcase Australian Reading Hour to an “always on” campaign, championing reading to increase the number of Australians picking up books, and the frequency with which they read, with a new aim – more Australians reading more books, more often.
Louise Sherwin-Stark, CEO of Hachette Australia and Chair of the Australia Reads Committee, explains:
“given the success of the campaign over the years, Australia Reads will now focus on championing reading and book industry events all year round to grow the number of partners we have, and ensure our message reaches all Australians, wherever they may shop, travel, work or play. We will connect the book industry and our authors to the broader community through these partnerships to further increase engagement in reading, in all formats.”
This new strategic direction will incorporate an integrated content strategy and more author events aimed at driving online and foot traffic into libraries and bookshops, increasing the number of books borrowed and sold, and ultimately increasing public lending rights and royalty income for authors.
Save the Date for Australian Reading Hour: Thursday 16 September 2021
The much-loved Australian Reading Hour will remain as the signature celebration event for Australia Reads, and will be held nationally on Thursday 16 September this year.
New Brand, Marketing & Partnerships Manager Appointed For 2021
Books Create Australia has appointed publishing MarComms professional Anyez Lindop (ex Penguin, PRHA, Hachette Australia) to the newly created position of Brand, Marketing & Partnerships Manager for the industry’s joint promotional initiative Australia Reads.
Anyez brings her wealth of experience in book publicity, marketing, events and corporate engagement to lead the strategic repositioning of Australia Reads as a collaborative content resource and events platform that champions reading all year round.
As Michael Gordon-Smith CEO of the Australian Publishers Association explains,
“we hope this new strategic direction will help drive the success of Australia Reads into the future and get more Australians, whether they buy or borrow, reading more books, more often, in all formats by growing aggregate demand through the Australian Reading Hour events, growing major partnerships nationally and amplifying the great work of booksellers and libraries for the benefit of the entire industry.”
Anyez is based in Melbourne and can be reached on anyez.lindop@australiareads.
Australia Reads reached more than 40% Of Australians in 2020!
Despite the challenges of 2020, Australia Reads reached exponentially more people than previous years!
More than 10.3 million Australians engaged with the campaign via social media, digital, print and broadcast media, a reimagined events festival and a branded publishing program.
Culminating in more than 40 events over 12 days in November for Australian Reading Hour, the 2020 campaign delivered sales close to 20K for four new books by the 2020 Ambassadors Anna Fienberg, Jacqueline Harvey, Peter Helliar and Will Kostaki. It also mobilised other enthusiastic Australian authors who championed the benefits of reading through a suite of bespoke digital content that played a vital role during Covid-19 lockdowns.
As Sue McKerracher, CEO of the Australian Library and Information Association, observes:
“in this past year of social distancing, books have become more important as a way of connecting strangers, creating a sense of community and sparking vital conversations. Australia Reads ensured this happened right around the country as people came together virtually through their local library to celebrate the joy reading brings their lives.”
You can read the full campaign report here.
Get Involved with Australia Reads
If you’d like to become involved with Australia Reads, whether as an ambassador, volunteer committee member, bookseller or event host, please let the team at Australia Reads know on hello@australiareads.org.au