GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., February 6, 2008 – The bestselling audio Bible Inspired By… The Bible Experience (www.zondervan.com/TBE), recipient of the prestigious 2007 Audiobook of the Year award for the New Testament edition, has garnered four additional Audies® nominations for 2008, more than any other finalist in the Audio Publishers Association (APA) competition.
Inspired By… The Bible Experience: Old Testament, produced by Zondervan and Inspired By Media Group, is a finalist in the following categories: multi-voiced recording, inspirational/spiritual, achievement in production, and package design. The New Testament version of Inspired By... The Bible Experience, which quickly became the fastest-selling audio Bible of all time, was honored with two Audie Awards in 2007, including Audiobook of the Year.
"It's a distinct honor to be among the Audies finalists for two consecutive years," says Paul Caminiti, vice president and publisher of Bibles for Zondervan. "We didn't set out to win awards during the production of Inspired By… The Bible Experience. Our vision was to produce an audio Bible that was groundbreaking, second to none and that would help people engage the Bible like never before. The success of the product to date and the overwhelming consumer feedback we've received tell us we accomplished that goal. This recognition from the audio publishing industry is the icing on the cake and we're grateful for it."
Hosted by APA, The Audies are the only awards program in the United States devoted entirely to honoring spoken word entertainment. Winners in all 30 categories will be announced May 30, 2008 at The Audies Gala held at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles where performers, authors, producers, publishers, and media will celebrate the year’s best audiobook productions.
Finalists for Audiobook of the Year, which recognizes the audiobook that has made the most significant impact on the audio publishing industry, will be announced next month.
Inspired By… The Bible Experience features the voice talent of nearly 400 African-American actors, musicians, and religious leaders. Notable personalities include Blair Underwood, Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett and Cuba Gooding Jr. In addition to dramatic performances by leading artists and celebrities, the product also features Hollywood-style sound design and effects, and an original musical underscore featuring the performance of the Prague Symphony Orchestra.
Inspired By… The Bible Experience is available in stores nationwide in New Testament, Old Testament, and Complete Bible editions; nearly 500,000 copies are in print or have been downloaded on the Internet. It is available in CD and MP3 formats as well as audio download. A behind-the-scenes “making of” video, audio samples, news, and reviews can be found at www.zondervan.com/TBE.
About Inspired By Media Group
Branded by its signature banner Inspired By…, Inspired By Media Group, Inc., is committed to serving the faith-based and general markets by creating family-oriented products that are culturally relevant in scope. With more than a combined 40 years in the convergent areas of music, television, film, theater, literature, new media and technology, the company is an industry leader in delivering contemporary multimedia products. Visit Inspired By Media Group on the Web at www.inspiredby.com.
Zondervan, a HarperCollins company, is a world leader in Christian communications and the leading Christian publishing brand. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general and academic resources by influential leaders and emerging voices, and been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with offices in San Diego and Miami, Zondervan conducts events and publishes its bestselling Bibles, books, audio, video, curriculum, software, and digital products through its Zondervan, eZondervan, Zonderkidz, Youth Specialties, Editorial Vida, and National Pastors Convention brands. Zondervan resources are sold worldwide through retail stores, online, and by Zondervan ChurchSource, and are translated into nearly 200 languages in more than 60 countries. Visit Zondervan on the Internet at www.zondervan.com (mobile site: zvan.mobi).
To add to his Grammy award-winning year, Kirk Franklin, who plays the role of Peter in The Bible Experience, recently received two Dove Award nominations. Other Bible Experience performers to be nominated for Dove Awards include Tina and Erica Campbell (Mary Mary) and Bishop Paul S. Morton. 
"Hollywood actress Angela Bassett visited Cleveland to take part in a Martin Luther King Day celebration at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.Bassett read scripture from a recording called The Bible Experience. She is among leading actors and actresses who have provided their voices for a collection of Bible stories." From 
FREE podcast featuring The Bible Experience on iTunes! 
If you have iTunes loaded on your computer, click on this link to subscribe to The Bible Experience podcast: 
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