Ignacio van Gelderen

Chief Business Development Officer

Ignacio is the CBDO at Publica.la, leading go-to-market strategy and business development for new markets. With nearly 12 years at VitalSource (Ingram) and deep roots in digital publishing, he brings close to two decades of experience helping publishers and institutions navigate the shift from print to digital — specializing in ebook and audiobook sales and distribution. Based in Raleigh, NC, he's the driving force behind Publica.la's expansion into the U.S. publishing market.

Articles by Ignacio van Gelderen

Guides May 1, 2026

How to Launch a University Press Ebook Store Without IT Staff

Most mid-size university presses have 10-50 employees and no dedicated IT team. The tech barrier is the top objection to launching D2C. This guide walks through how a press can go from zero to a live ebook store in 30-60 days — from catalog import to storefront launch to reader app branding.

Guides Apr 24, 2026

MUSE, JSTOR, and D2C: Why You Need All Three

Project MUSE serves institutional libraries. JSTOR archives scholarship and opens access paths. Neither serves individual readers who want to buy directly. D2C fills this gap — and it is complementary, not competitive, with your existing channels. Here is how the three-channel model works.

Publishing Insights Apr 17, 2026

The True Cost of Amazon Dependency for Academic Publishers

Amazon takes up to 65% of every sale, locks away your reader data, and controls your discoverability with algorithms you cannot influence. For university presses, the cost goes beyond margin erosion — it undermines your ability to build sustainable D2C revenue. This is not about leaving Amazon. It is about diversifying beyond it.

Publishing Insights Apr 10, 2026

Why University Presses Need a D2C Channel in 2026

University presses sell only 1-3% of their titles direct to consumers. With Open Access mandates accelerating, Amazon margins shrinking, and reader data locked behind intermediaries, 2026 is the year to build a D2C channel. Here is the strategic case — and what moving from 1% to 5-10% D2C would mean for a typical press.

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