VC-backed former Ingram exec launches online business

Milt Capps Update 10:55 a.m.


VC-backed former Ingram exec launches online business | FiledBy, Mzeenz, digital printing, Claritas Capital, Peter Clifton, Mike Shatzkin, publishing, Ingram, venture capital

Updated 10:55 A.M. - Clifton called to say Mzeenz is 'dormant' and the site will be coming down, very soon. He says Mzeenz has no active business with Ingram or other firms. Clifton said extensions of FiledBy are anticipated, but not yet ready for public discussion. The story as originally published is below.-Ed.

Ingram publishing veteran Peter Clifton is quietly launching FiledBy Inc., an online service for authors that increases creators' web presence.

Clifton (left) is president and CEO of FiledBy. He has also launched Mzeenz LLC, a digital on-demand publisher now registered in Tennessee.
 
As reported by VNC, FiledBy.com recently attracted investment from Green Hills-based Claritas Capital.

Clifton's FiledBy co-founder is Mike Shatzkin (at right), who also consults to the publishing industry and authors via his firm, The Idea Logical Company, Inc. His practice emphasizes "digital change" in the publishing.

In a roll-out described as a "private-beta," Clifton and his allies began late last week touting Filedby in publishing-oriented blogs and websites. They are currently inviting commercial authors and self-published writers to claim their pages on the site, without charge.

Clifton Mzeenz LLC's site indicates it has a business relationship with Ingram, among others, for on-demand printing and related services. Mzeenz caters priimarily to magazine publishers.

Industry consultant Martyn Daniels blogged Sunday about FiledBy, describing FiledBy.com as a "database of information filed by authors [including about] 1.2 million authors [with] a page per author web site. Author’s registrar, claim their page, validate themselves and then populate their details adding, pictures, podcasts, videos etc."

Clifton was previously president and-or CEO of several Ingram Book Group divisions based here, including Ingram International, Ingram Library Services, Ingram Periodicals, and Tennessee Book Company.

Prior to Ingram, Clifton was founding CEO of PubEasy.com, a book-industry customer service and transaction portal. Earlier still, he was director of publicity and director of new-media development at John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; and, VP-new media for HarperCollins Publishers. Before that, he was VP-business development at SEGASoft in Redwood City, Calif.

FiledBy's advisory board comprises a number of digital-media creatives and thought-leaders. VNC efforts to reach Clifton and others associated with the business have, thus far, been unsuccessful. This story will be updated, as warranted.