Marketing technology and services startup Optiqly — still in private beta and launching shortly — will provide a version of their tools through Ingram’s CoreSource as a subscription service, adapted to focus on servicing the company’s distribution clients. The deal provides Ingram an exclusive among a limited set of large distributors and wholesalers. Ingram Content […]
Financing/Start-Ups
Digital: Kobo Acquires Shelfie, Lost My Name In JV with Roald Dahl Estate
After taking on Shelfie’s customers in February after the service closed, Kobo has now acquired what was left of Shelfie itself — including their technology assets, IP, and the infrastructure on which the ecosystem runs, plus the hiring of Shelfie’s teams. Kobo says that in “the coming months,” it will “work to integrate the Shelfie platform […]
Digital: Shelfie Shutters, Radish Raises
Shelfie, the ebook bundling app that provided users with ebooks to go along with some of the print books they already own, told users with almost no notice that the service will close today. Founded as BitLit, the Vancouver-based company had received seed funding former Kobo ceo Michael Serbinis among others. In contrast, mobile app-based short-form […]
Briefs: Diversion Spins Off Radius Book Group; Marie Force Launches Publisher; and More
Diversion Publishing is launching a new self-publishing division, Radius Book Group, led by vp, business development Mary Cummings and managing editor Fiona Hallowell. Radius will sell aspiring authors packages ranging from DIY options through Ingram Spark to comprehensive publishing services. Bestselling self-published author Marie Force is launching a new contemporary romance company, Jack’s House Publishing. Force says in […]
Samhain Publishing “Winding Down”
Samhain Publishing announced to authors via email on Friday that the digital publisher is “beginning the process of winding down due to our market share’s continuing decline. We’re approaching the point where we cannot sustain our business.” Christina Brashear adds, “We prefer to go out gracefully and not get to the point where our overhead compromises […]
Atavist Cuts Staff, Looks for “Sustainable” Path
Brooklyn-based digital publishing technology player Atavist “has laid off half its staff and is looking for ways to cut costs and stick around,” Nieman Lab reports, after failing to secure additional funding. Seven people have been laid off over the past month and another three people left in the last quarter and have not been replaced. […]