It’s refreshing to see a publisher aware of the value of sampling. This Publishers Weekly article (link no longer available) talks about how Central Park Media has revamped its manga program, hired a new director of sales, restored suspended series and outlined plans to use technology to market its manga. […] Next year CPM will publish 40-50 manga titles and utilize tech-heavy promotion. Over the years, CPM has developed ways of integrating the marketing and promotion of manga and anime. […]

I just received the following from a Viz representative: Bookscan’s sales numbers are out for the week of December 4, 2005, and I am very pleased to announce that VIZ Media manga titles swept ALL Top 10 placements in the Adult Fiction Graphic Novel category (actually VIZ titles dominated the Top 13). A list of the top selling titles follows below for your review: 1. NARUTO Vol. 8 2. RUROUNI KENSHIN Vol. 21 3. BLEACH: VOLUME 10 4. FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: […]