Agora embarks on encyclopedia sales following success of book sales

The companies cooperated before on a business venture called "Kolekcja" (Collection) - famous novels which were sold each week with a copy of Gazeta Wyborcza. According to Agora's representatives, the project was a success. Its Q3 2004 financial results report shows that the revenues from book sales reached zł.36 million, and high demand encouraged the company to extend the series from the initial 20 to 40 volumes. The success of the project was a decisive factor when the decision to begin the new project was made - a 20-volume encyclopedia prepared in cooperation with PWN. Today will see its debut, the first free volume will be given with the paper. Agora counts on selling 40-60% copies of the whole series - that is as many as 210,000 copies. Asked if the price of zł.37 would not be a deterrent for customers, Agora's representatives said it was optimal. However, Włodek Giller, an analyst with DB Securities, judged the project as quite risky. Agora's input in the new project is only distribution and advertising while MP owns the copyrights, organizes transport and the print runs. (Parkiet, p. 6) D.W.