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The spawner of spin-offs
Even in our age of compulsive franchising, sequel optioning and Harry Potter, American quest thriller The Da Vinci Code is a bona fide pop-culture phenomenon.
Beyond selling 40 million books in 44 languages worldwide and birthing an inevitable Hollywood adaptation (directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks), Dan Brown’s page-turner, which promises the “real story” behind the façade of Christian history, has spawned 70-plus spin-off books. |
A new wave of titles will hit shelves in time for the film’s release on May 19. Various film tie-ins include The Illustrated Screenplay and The Da Vinci Code Travel Journal.
It’s never been so profitable to write about Christianity. Books that would once have been released in a limited print run will occupy prime position in bookstores this spring.
Searching for Mary Magdalene: A Journey Through Art and Literature attempts to explore a possible connection between Mary Magdalene and the mysterious Holy Grail.
Even Michael Baigent, who sued Brown in a London court last month for plagiarism, is riding on the Code’s coattails with his latest book, The Jesus Papers: Exposing the Greatest Cover-Up in History, which asserts that the circumstances leading to Jesus’s death have been heavily mythologized. The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail makes the case that Jesus may not have died on the cross, but lived to marry and father children whose bloodline continues today.
Meanwhile, Evangelical Christian publisher Tyndale aims to defend the faith it feels Brown tarnished, with its campaign “Da Vinci Didn’t Convince Me” aimed at some 2,300 stores in the Christian Booksellers Association.
For special offers and gifts when you buy Da Vinci Code-related titles, visit your nearest Asia Books branch.
The da vinci code by Dan Brown [Random House: PB] Bt350 |
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THE JESUS PAPERS
by Michael Baigent [Harper US: HB] Bt850 |
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SEARCHING FOR MARY MAGDALENE
by Jane Lahr [Random House: HB] Bt1,450 |
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THE HOLY BLOOD AND THE HOLY GRAIL
by Leigh & Baigent [Random House UK: PB] Bt450 |
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OPUS DEI
by Michael Walsh
[Penguin UK: PB] Bt495 |
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Branding has become a business buzzword. In his new book Asia’s Star Brands, Paul Temporal, founder of Temporal Brand Consulting, explains why Asian companies must embrace branding.
“Brand is everything,” says Temporal, who previously authored Branding in Asia. “The only route to sustainable competitive advantage – and, for that matter, profitability – is brand image.”
While the wider world has invested heavily, Asia has been slower on the branding uptake, but Temporal provides insightful case studies on forward-thinking Thai companies.
From Red Bull’s success to the way the Jim Thompson Company capitalised on “Emotional Branding”, Temporal illustrates how local companies can improve their brand’s position.
With so many people in Thailand concerned about corporate greed, Thai businessmen might want to look at the book’s profile on Siam Cement, and how the company exemplifies what Temporal calls a “Caring Conglomerate” – a giant brand with a kind heart. |
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Asia Books is launching a new event series aimed at introducing the latest business books to its customers.
Titled the Asia Books Business Solutions Talk Series, five events have been planned to date on every Wednesday from May 24 at the company’s new flagship branch at Siam Paragon.
The format will take the shape of a mini book launch, during which top speakers and authors in relevant fields will discuss the new book and relate its points to the Thai business environment.
The informal afternoon talk series kicks off with Brand Rejuvenation: How To Protect, Strengthen And Add Value To Your Brand To Prevent It From Ageing by Jean-Marc Lehu.
The critically-acclaimed book addresses problems that all brands can face and suggests steps companies can take to counter the ageing process.
The Business Solutions Talk Series is something of a departure for Asia Books, and organisers hope it will offer managers and executives a more interactive, communal way to get the most out of the best new books on business.
“We’re very excited about this series,” says Asia Books Publishing managing director, David Johnson, who will be the moderator for the events.
“It is a new, boutique format designed to meet the needs of businesspeople in Thailand by introducing them to the latest books in an open debate-style setting from which they can gain knowledge and fresh ideas.”
Other books in the series confirmed at press time were The Boston Consulting Group on Strategy, Billions: Selling To The New Chinese Customer, Retailization and H PLUS: A New Religion? by legendary writer, Edward de Bono.
For more information call Asia Books Customer Service 02 715 9000 |
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Brand Rejuvenation will kick off a new book series aimed to help businesspeople find fresh ideas. |
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