Pottermore seeking to increase ‘digital retail footprint’

According to The Bookseller, Susan Jurevics – Pottermore chief executive – announced plans for the website’s shift towards mobile content at the Futurebook conference today.

After the relaunch, Pottermore announced that it was now ‘mobile-first’:

Jurevics said the average Pottermore user is now a young woman who has grown up with J K Rowling’s seven Harry Potter books. She is also a smartphone user who is engaged with social media.

“Mobile usage has soared with 2.6bn smartphone subscriptions globally – more than double than in 2012, which was the year of our launch. And that’s expected to nearly triple in the next five years,” Jurevics said, adding: “Our goal is to inform, entertain and delight, on-the-go audiences who are looking for easy-to-access content for smartphones and tablets.

Pottermore’s old model was based around Potter-themed house cups, interactive storyboards based on the books and games (such as potions making and duelling). The new website is more of a news resource and encyclopaedia, also featuring updates on the progress of the Fantastic Beasts film.

Following the announcement of Audible’s deal with Pottermore – allowing them to sell the Harry Potter audiobooks – The Bookseller reports:

Jurevics also said Pottermore has decided to “shift” its business model and work with other retailers for the first time to offer “greater consumer access to Harry Potter e-books and audiobooks”.

“But we’re not done,” said Jurevics. “We’re working to secure more partnerships in the near future that will grow Pottermore’s digital retail footprint, and give consumers more choice in where and how they purchase and consume our content.”