Flat World Knowledge CEO Presents a Textbook Case for Free and Open Textbooks at Publishing Business Conference & Expo

(Press Release) Jeff Shelstad, CEO and Co-Founder of Flat World Knowledge, the largest publisher of free and open college textbooks for students worldwide, will present a case study on his company's bold approach to disrupting the $8 billion U.S. college textbook market, at the Publishing Business Conference & Expo, on April 4, in New York City.

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Shelstad is among a select group of industry experts chosen to share their successful strategies, tips and tactics for "Thriving in the New Media Universe," this year's theme. More than 2,000 book and magazine publishing executives are expected to attend the annual event, held April 4-6, at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square.

Prior to launching Flat World in 2007, Shelstad served as vice president and editorial director at Pearson Education and publisher at McGraw-Hill. He has personally acquired some of the most successful business textbook authors in print today.
Flat World is a commercial pioneer within the growing open content movement to make educational materials freely available online. The company's year-over-year growth is a result of its open textbook model, which dramatically lowers costs for college students and gives educators the freedom to control content in ways not possible with traditional textbooks.

In January, the company announced a $15 million Series B funding round led by Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments (BDMI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Bertelsmann AG, a leading international media company and Bessemer Venture Partners, a top global investment firm.

Flat World Knowledge was named one of this year's "30 to Watch," along with Apple, Bloomberg, Facebook, Google and Thomson Reuters, by Outsell, Inc., a research firm for t,he publishing and information industries. The company was also chosen as one of the "2011 Hottest New York City Companies," by business research firm Lead411.