ECPA Announces Distribution Channels for its Bestseller Lists
USA Radio Network and Christian Retailing Regularly Access ECPA Lists


04/11/2008, Phoenix, AZ -- For more than a decade, the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) has been distributing national bestseller lists for the Christian retail channel, based on data collected and interpreted by PubTrack™Christian. ECPA has expanded the impact of these lists by partnering with two national media outlets: USA Radio Network and Christian Retailing.

ECPA lists are based on data collected by PubTrack™ Christian, representing a diverse group of more than 400 retail outlets. According to Michael Covington, ECPA’s Information & Education Director, no other Christian bestseller list offers the integrity of data and diversity of retailers represented by the ECPA list. “We use sophisticated software and data analysis to ensure the quality of our bestseller lists,” says Covington. “Our list is never weighted toward one retailer, one chain or one denomination, which results in a more holistic representation of Christian book sales.” Additionally, without the need to conform to traditional print media deadlines, the ECPA lists now reflect sales data that is as current as the previous month’s sales, enhancing the lists’ relevance.

Distribution of the ECPA bestseller lists has expanded over the years to include a variety of media outlets. USA Radio Network is featuring the top five bestselling Christian books, as provided by ECPA, via a weekly radio news segment heard around the world. Included in this weekly announcement is a reminder for consumers to shop at their local Christian bookstore for the bestsellers and more. In early March 2008, USA Radio Network merged with Information Radio Network and now reaches more than 2,500 affiliates worldwide. Christian Retailing, a trade publication from Strang Publishing, has begun reporting on the lists monthly in its Christian E-tailing email blast and is exploring new ways in which it can incorporate the ECPA lists.

The ECPA bestseller lists, available on the ECPA website (www.ecpa.org), are also distributed monthly to member publishers and a varied list of media outlets. Any interested party can sign up to receive the lists by contacting Michael Covington: mcovington@ecpa.org or 480-966-3998, x 209.

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