Harry Potter Creator JK Rowling Voted International Ipex 2010 'Champion In Print'

Release date: 27.01.2009

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has been named the second International Ipex 2010 'Champion in Print' by the global graphic arts industry event Ipex for her outstanding contribution to book printing. This prestigious honour acknowledges the enormous positive influence that Ms Rowling has had on the printing industry, through the phenomenal increase in the production of the printed book, as a result of her hugely successful Harry Potter series.

The first of Ms Rowling's Harry Potter books was published in 1997. Since then, Harry Potter has taken the world by storm with the books now having sold over 400 million copies worldwide and translated into over 68 languages. Published in 2007, the seventh and final book in the series, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, was the fastest selling book ever in many countries.

A spokeswoman for Ms Rowling said she was **flattered to be nominated for the Ipex 2010 'Champions in Print' Award'.

Ipex 2010 Event Director, Trevor Crawford comments: 'Harry Potter has become a household name worldwide so we are extremely pleased that Ms Rowling has been awarded our prestigious 'Champions in Print Award' by the graphic arts world.'

The Ipex 2010 'Champions in Print Awards' have been launched to honour individuals who have influenced and shaped the printing industry across the world. The Ipex Advisory Committee (IAC), which represents a broad range of major exhibitors, visitor groups and trade associations, .debates the nominations that have been received via the special voting section on Ipex's website, www.ipex.org, and selects 10 'Champions in Print' in the run up to Ipex 2010, which will take place from 18th - 25th May at the NEC, Birmingham, UK.

Indigo founder and industry pioneer Benny Landa was recently named as the first winner of the international Ipex 2010 'Champions in Print Awards'. Voting polls are now open for nominating the third 'Champion in Print' which will be announced in March. If a nominee hasn't been selected first time, he or she can be entered again. Participants can complete a nomination form, available in multiple languages, on-line on www.ipex.org/cip via the special 'Champions in Print' section. Entries must be supported by a brief summary of the nominee's achievements.