Grow Custom: Cengage Learning

Once again we are highlighting one of the sponsors for the NMS Grow Custom initiative.  Today’s highlight is on Cengage Learning (CAMEX Booth #4414).  If you are attending CAMEX please remember to visit the Grow Custom sponsors and stop by the NMS area within the Opportunity Hub to learn more about this initiative.

1)      What do you see as the future of custom course materials?

We expect even more faculty to want to adopt course materials that are customized to fit their syllabus.  We are currently starting to experience faculty demand for customized digital content as well as print.

2)      What role do you see for stores with custom course materials in the future?

Given the great advantages that stores realize from custom materials – especially the excellent student sell-through – we expect more and more stores will work with publishers to identify the best custom opportunities on their campuses (those traditional adoptions with low sell-through) as targets to reinvent as custom.  Stores will also partner with publishers to emphasize the student and faculty value through in-class and in-store marketing.

3)      What makes your product or service unique?  What products or services do you offer in this space?

Cengage Learning recently installed state-of-the-art printing capability in the distribution center which is designed to reduce turnaround time on custom titles.  Cengage Learning also has twice the return limit on custom as compared to our competitors (20% vs. 10%) even though the actual returns rate has remained below 10% in spite of larger initial orders from stores.  This reflects the excellent student sell-through that stores are experiencing with custom materials.

4)      Who should stores contact for more information?

Please contact Susan Stout, Cengage Learning’s College Store Marketing Manager at susan.stout@cengage.com, or contact your Cengage Learning reps for more information and to work together to drive more mutually-beneficial custom business.