Barnes & Noble Chief Riggio: ‘E-Books Are Here To Stay, But …’

Part lecture, part sales pitch, Barnes & Noble CEO Stephen Riggio addressed the American Magazine Conference today, admitting that while e-Books are finally “here to stay,” the experience of reading a “real” book is going nowhere.

“If a book was invented today, it would be considered the perfect technology,” Riggio said. “It’s easy to use, doesn’t require batteries and lasts a lifetime.”

The next most-bought item by people who buy bestsellers is a magazine, Riggio said, adding that customers, on average, spend over an hour at Barnes and Noble. “That’s powerful — magazines need to do a better job” of capturing these idling consumers.

FishbowlNY will be blogging live this week from the American Magazine Conference — the annual pow-wow of high-powered magazine executives — at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix. Check back often for our extended coverage.

FishbowlNY’s AMC 2006 Coverage:

R/GA C/EO: ‘How Did Yahoo Begin Looking Old And Rupert Murdoch Looking Young?’

Time Inc. Chief Ann Moore: Overseeing Time Inc.’s Magazines Are ‘Like Having 149 Children That Need To Go To College At The Same Time’

Barack Obama: ‘I Inhaled — That Was The Point’

Barnes & Noble Chief Riggio: ‘E-Books Are Here To Stay, But …’

Jon Fine: ‘When Gawker Says Nasty Things About My Wife, I Get Really Pissed Off’

Ex-G+J Prez Joins First Round Bids For Time Inc.’s Time 4

Anna Wintour Named Editor Of The Year

AMC 2006: Sipping Cactus Juice With David Remnick, Other Mag Execs In The Desert

Rachael Ray To Open Burger Joint

MagShapes? Magazine Executives To Deejay ‘After-Party’ In Desert

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