In a major boost to mobile content distribution, digital publishing technology and distribution leader Zinio made two major platform announcements today, embracing the digital newsstand concept and launching its first mobile app at the same time. The launch of its iPhone app will serve as the cornerstone of its ubiquitous “Unity” reading platform.  Currently offering its digital content to be read on PC, Mac, netbook, touch-screen and tablet devices, Zinio now adds a “pay once read anywhere” element to its business model, which it refers to as a  multi-platform-enabled portfolio.

“The key differentiator for us is that we can combine Quick Time video as well as HTML within magazine digital content available on the iPhone, and we have also made a major stride toward giving consumers what they want to read when they want to read it,” says Zinio CMO Jeanniey Mullen. “Our focus is to unlock that ability for our clients to deliver to all platforms. The iPhone app is out first look at the mobile perspective.”

Rather than a series of individual device-driven efforts, Zinio now optimizes content for the screen on which it is being read.  As other publishers continue to launch titles individually on separate platforms, Zinio will offer its global, iPhone-ready selection of thousands of magazine and book titles, reinforcing its multi-platform rollout strategy.  A pioneer in the digital-publishing space since 2001, Zinio’s content will be accessible to consumers from where they can get the most enjoyment, paying for it only once.

“Already delivering over 115 million publications to more than 140 different countries, Zinio will continue to empower the digital-reading experience with ongoing plans in 2010,” says.

Rich Maggiotto, President & CEO, Zinio.  “While many publishers are battling digital distribution with a platform-by-platform approach, Zinio has announced ‘Unity’ for consumers to explore and enjoy reading digitally -- regardless of their device -- from anywhere in the world.”

Zinio’s free application for the iPhone and iPod touch initially launches with access to titles including: Automobile Magazine, Car and Driver, Chicago, Harper's Bazaar, iPhone Life, Marie Claire, Motor Trend, PC Magazine, Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, Redbook, SmartMoney, The Independent Guide to the iPhone 3GS, Town & Country, Transworld Motocross, Transworld Skateboarding, Vegetarian Times, VIVmag, Yoga Journal and many more.  Subsequently, the rest of its global catalog of thousands of magazines and books will be released.

Zinio’s mobile-led approach was reinforced by recent CES announcements and keynotes, the obvious one being from Google, but mobile was the lead strategy from many companies including Qualcomm. At Friday’s keynote, Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs introduced his company’s new smartphone infrastructure technology, and according to CNET said: "We had this vision that the wireless Internet would fundamentally change the world," he says. "I think that's what's happening right now, with all these app developers. Wireless is going to impact every part of life, and all sorts of new device categories have resulted: smartbooks, e-readers, and digital picture frames.”