AAP Statement on BISG Withdrawal From BookStats Joint Venture

    On June 19, the Book Industry Study Group Board voted not to renew its joint agreement with the Association of American Publishers to continue as co-producers of the annual BookStats survey capturing the estimated size and scope of the publishing industry.

    This decision does not affect the imminent release of the 2013 BookStats survey.

    AAP has enjoyed its three-year collaboration with BISG on the BookStats project. As the agreement’s expiration approached, our organizations have had a series of conversations to discuss options and their decision does not come as a surprise.

    BISG’s decision also does not affect AAP’s commitment to serve as a primary source of data for all sectors of the publishing industry, a service we have provided throughout our 40-year history. Our current stats reports, capturing aggregated actual data, will continue. They include “StatShot,” the monthly Trade and overall industry survey, and our reports for K-12, Higher Ed and Professional Journals.

    AAP produced its own annual industry estimates prior to the BISG joint venture and we will resume that work through an existing or new product. Details on this new initiative will be made public at a later date.