Custom Publishing Solutions (CPS), launching this month, will provide new solutions to help the Australian Publishing Industry overcome the technological and operational challenges it is currently facing, by using the tools of the next industrial revolution.

In an age of ever-changing technological advancements, the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is no longer the subject of sci-fi movies. Globally, business is taking advantage of AI and Automation to such an extent that experts are calling it the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The publishing sector is no exception and with the launch of CPS, the industry will be able to experience the full force of AI Automation technology and its operational application.

It is a timely arrival for the publishing industry, which is under increasing pressure to reduce costs in the face of the current copyright review, increased international competition and the increasing diversity of formats and business models.

Media and technology expert Spiros Kotsialos, Founder of CPS, is a respected publishing operations and technology guru with more than 20 years experience in systems management and digital innovation for publishers such as Random House, HarperCollins, News Limited and Allen and Unwin.

The 2015 McKinsey Quarterly report (Four Fundamentals of Workplace Automation) suggests that Automation and AI will ‘redefine jobs and business processes’, providing vast opportunities for professional growth of the current workforce. According to the January 2016 World Economic Forum (WEF) (Employment, Skills and Workforce Strategy for the Fourth Industrial Revolution) report, automation technology and AI are key contributors to the fourth industrial revolution.

Based on this and other research, Kotsialos believes that “CPS will assist publishing businesses that may be struggling to free up resource to take advantage of technological advancements” Kotsialos said “As a mature industry, publishing has endured many changes and is challenged by significant movement in its customer base and an increased cost of doing business. AI can really help, if you know what you are doing. By directly taking on a publisher’s existing challenges and costs, CPS will help businesses move forward with new confidence and security, whilst reducing the cost of book production and distribution.”

About Custom Publishing Solutions:
Custom Publishing Solutions is an AI led technology company providing solutions to the technological and operational challenges of book publishers.

For more information on what Custom Publishing Solutions is doing to move into the fourth industrial revolution contact;

Spiros Kotsialos
www.custompublishingsolutions.com

It’s great to tell you about a project I’m passionate about. My background is in publishing and technology, so to build an app that combines these two areas in such a practical way is a great opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

I am talking about ILF Books, a project where Chatty Kidz and The Indigenous Literary Foundation have teamed up to launch a simple, yet powerful app for reading with children.

The first book featured on the app is a compelling story, Bangs 2 Jurrukuk, written by senior girls from Tiwi Island and is a captivating tale which shares traditional Tiwi culture and values of love, courage and ‘One People’.

You can download it from Apple via this link https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/ilf-books/id844832111?mt=8  or search for “ILF BOOKS” in the Apple store.

Those who download the app will see that it has a number of strong educational advantages for children.  These include helping to develop early reading skills plus exposure to print and reading behaviors, as well as building children’s confidence to read aloud and developing important oral language skills.

The app also offers a very real way for communities and families to connect. For instance younger siblings will be able to bond with their older brother or sister through shared story time or perhaps a grandparent living far away will read to their grandchild.

Karen Williams from the Indigenous Literary Foundation says the initiative brings them one step closer to their goal.

“We believe that Australia’s Indigenous children and families living in remote communities across Australia should have access to the same opportunities as other citizens.

Yet the big barrier is not only distance but literacy levels.  Providing access to quality books at the same time as sharing stories and creating a pleasurable reading experience is essential. This app is a fun way to not only connect isolated communities through reading, but also to enjoy the experience of combining books with technology. This should appeal to young children in particular.”

The App is free, available nationally from the Apple App Store and I hope you will see it as a fun, enjoyable way for children and adults of all ages to engage in and share the joy of reading, no matter where they are located.

How it works

Two people using the App to connect through video, a story is then shared and comes to life as pages are turned in real-time by both readers.  Words, colours and pictures are all sensitive to touch and highlighted when activated.  This widens the scope and educational opportunities for readers to interact and learn.

A bit about Chatty Kidz

Started in 2013 by Ken Taggart, it was born out of the need to create a meaningful connection with his family spread throughout the world, The result is an app that effectively turns iPad time into family time by giving a platform for families and communities to stay connected through content, education and video. In February 2014, Chatty Kidz was selected to be part of the Telstra incubator Muru-D. http://www.chattykidz.com

A bit about Indigenous Literary Foundation

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) was founded by Suzy Wilson and set up by members of the Australian Book Industry in 2005 with the core aim of drawing upon the skills and expertise of the Australian book industry to address literacy levels in remote Indigenous communities.  From 2006-2010 the project worked in partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation who delivered the programs and administered funds.

The ILF aims to raise literacy levels and improve the lives and opportunities of Indigenous children living in remote and isolated regions. This is done by through the delivery of books and literacy resources, publishing and visits out to remote communities.  In addition, the Foundation advocates to raise community awareness of Indigenous literacy issues. http://www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au

Today is our first wedding anniversary, and what a year it’s been!

I am so happy that Kirsten chose me to be her husband, she has made this year the happiest of years, together we have faced so many little challenges and come through it strong ending in the greatest triumph of all which is to produce our first beautiful child, Zoe Sophia Kotsialos.

Reflecting back on a year ago, what a great wedding it was for us. Many have not seen the pictures from that wedding, but watch this video and you will see what a magic day it was!

I can’t thank enough the people that made the effort and sacrifices to get to our wedding and share what was a magical time with us.  The ongoing friendship and support people continue to give us is invaluable, it definitely would not have been the year it is without all our friends and family being part of it!

For the record the challenges conquered 2013: Getting married, Selling the mini and moving to SUV, Moving out of the east, Moving, Spending a month in the village, Pregnancy, Me putting on 10 kilos, Me loosing 10 kilos, Pregnancy, New baby!

Now let’s kick it up a gear in 2014

Love you Kirsten

Spiros

Some would say that creativity is not a problem for me, but after reading this article 15 Common Places That Can Inspire Your Creativity it got me thinking what places bought out my creativity.

Although I didn’t share too many things in common with the person who wrote the article,  there were some that we did agree on but most we did not so I though I would list mine.

Here are my top 5

A completely different setting

To name a few; New York, Bowral, Blue Mountains and Kastania (a small village in Greece). I find when I change my environment completely so does my thought process, so often solutions to problems appear in my thoughts when I find myself in a completely new environment.  For me this only happens when I am in a new environment for days not hours and have enough to get comfortable with your surrounding and relax into it.

Bookstores (only the good ones)

There is nothing like going through a bookstore where the owner has spent the time making sure that a variety of thought invoking books are on display.  If your every wondering what I mean go to Readings in Melbourne or Ariel Books in Sydney

Sitting on the bus

I don’t know why but for some reason when I am sitting on the bus watching the world go by things come to me,  I think it is the combination of having time to focus on things that you are seeing as well as the downtime.

Bars by myself

Not that I spend much time at bars by myself, but on occasion if I am travelling in a new country or a friend is just late to turn-up I find my mind wandering off, and more often or not sending myself a reminder of an idea to follow-up later

Art Museums

I think this is a creative place because your surrounded by creativity and it rubs off, I love just walking through looking at art or preferably photographs and thinking about the circumstances of the art as opposed to the art itself.

I work within businesses to define and implement digital and IT strategy which delivers positive bottom line results.  I am qualified to-do this having worked as a senior manager or program manager for media companies such as HarperCollins, News Digital Media, Fox Entertainment, News Limited and Random House over the past 16 years.

People call on me when:

• Need business change implemented in a tight timeframe
• Need process change made to their digital publishing or distribution practices
• Need help formulating and implementing Digital, IT or new business strategies
• Need experienced management onboard to work through complex issues with internal and/or external stakeholders

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

• Digital and Information Technology professional with extensive experience in media
• Results driven, energetic leader with highly developed analytical and complex problem solving skills
• Experienced in establishing high performance teams
• Successful track record in developing, communicating and implementing strategic initiatives specifically in the areas of digital publishing, information technology and supply chains

All up I have 15 years’ experience in publishing and 19 years’ experience in systems management and digital innovation.

PERSONAL PROFILE

Currently live in Sydney. Born in Auckland, New Zealand where I lived until I came to Sydney to work in 2000.

My passions in life are

• My family in Greece,
• Sport (actively play Basketball and Tennis)
• Travel
• The Media
• New Technology

CONTACT

at work: +61 407 214 098

on email: spiros@kotsialos.com

via twitter: kotsialos

via facebook: spiros kotsialos

via skype: spiroskotsialos