Contentville Shuts Up Shop

By Planet eBook Editor
October 1, 2001

Unfortunately readers did not rejoice at Contentville's Web site and the company suspended operations September 28, 2001. The company's plan, "to succeed not by selling you a lot of stuff today, but by earning your trust over the long term by creating an environment where you want to shop for, and learn about, content," has not been given a chance to come about.

The Web site began just over 18 months ago with the goal of selling all sorts of eContent, including books, magazines, e-books, academic works, transcripts, archived articles and scripts. Shortly after launch the site gained unwanted publicity when it became embroiled with the National Writer's Union over claims it was infringing on writer's electronic copyrights. The issue was later settled.

Not even a huge marketing and advertising budget, as well as partners like NBC and CBS, could help produce the desired interest and revenue in the site. Contentville.com's brainchild, Steven Brill, left the following message to customers and site visitors:

We are sorry to report that we have suspended operations at Contentville, effective September 28. We appreciate your business, but unfortunately we simply were unable to entice enough people for us to see our way to a viable enterprise. If you have any customer service inquiries you can call us at 1-800-999-2668. All items previously ordered and paid for will be shipped as scheduled. We truly appreciate all your business and support.

Sincerely,
Steve Brill