Friday, October 6, 2006Interview with Heath Clarke, Chairman and CEO of InterchangeA few days ago, we talked with Heath Clarke, Chairman and CEO of Irvine-based Interchange, the company that operates the Local.com search engine (www.local.com). Heath has been the CEO since 2001, was President and Chairman of the company since March of 1999, and saw the company through its IPO in 2004. We caught up with Heath to get some insight into the local search market and how the company's focus on local search has been going.
Ben Kuo: Tell us a little bit about Interchange, and Local. (More info...)
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Allergan Integrates InamedIrvine-based Allergan said Thursday that it has integrated Inamed's Santa Barbara commercial and research and development operations, to form a new corporate division, Allergan Medical. The firm said that Allergan will continued to be based in Irvine, but will maintain a national center of excellence in Santa Barbara. The new division will include the firm's skin care, dermal products, and other dermatology and obesity intervention products. Allergan's signature product, Botox, will also be plac (More info...)
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YFly.com Launches Celebrity Social Networking Web SiteLos Angeles-based Yfly.com said Thursday that it has launched a new service focused on social networking for 13-27 year olds, which also caters to celebrities looking to reach out to fans. The site, which said that it counts Nick Lachey as a co-founder, said it will act as a platform for celebrities to update their fans. Yfly.com said it will certify each celebrity through a verification process, to ensure there are not fake profiles. Some celebrities listed on the firm's web site, in addition t (More info...)
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Occam Networks To Move To NASDAQSanta Barbara-based Occam Networks reported last night that the firm has received approval from the NASDAQ Stock Market to list its common shares on the NASDAQ Global Market. The firm said that its stock, which is currently traded on the NASD Electronic Bulletin Board, will be traded under the symbol OCNW, and that it expects to begin trading on October 9th. Occam is a provider of broadband networking equipment used for delivery of voice, data, and video services.
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Soapbox Mobile Appoints CEOSan Diego-based Soapbox Mobile has appointed Vladimir Edelman as CEO of the firm, the company said this week. Edelman was most recently vice president and general manager of Mobile ESPN Publishing Worldwide, where he managed ESPN's domestic and international wireless publishing business. Edelman has also served at Vulcan Sports Media, CBS.com, Fox, Time-Warner, and MSNBC. Soapbox Mobile provides mobile marketing for major brand and entertainment companies and is backed by Equal Elements.
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Userplane Hires Bizdev Head, Moves to Santa MonicaLos Angeles-based Userplane announced earlier this week that it has hired a new head of business development and moved to larger headquarters in Santa Monica. The firm, which was recently acquired by AOL, develops instant messaging and community software used by social networking and other online web sites, including MySpace.com and Date.com. The firm has hired Sam Wick to head the firm's business development efforts. Wick was most recently at MECA Communications. The firm said has doubled its s (More info...)
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Cabrellis Pharmaceuticals Adds Regulatory VPSan Diego-based Cabrellis Pharmaceuticals has named a new Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Development Operations. Cabrellis said earlier this week that Tracy Lawhon has been appointed to the position, joining the firm from Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Lawhon has also served at Schering-Plough Research Institute, Warner Lamber, Eli Lilly and Company, and Abbott Laboratories. Cabrellis is developing treatments for cancer.
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Raytheon To Close Goleta OperationsRaytheon Space and Airborne Systems said late Thursday that it plans to close the firm's Goleta-based operations in early 2008. The firm said that it plans to transfer civil space work at the facility to its operations in El Segundo, and will close its Santa Barbara Remote Sensing operation in early 2008. The move affect 250 employees, who the firm said will either be affected by attrition, transfer, or layoff. Raytheon's two other Goleta businesses, Electronic Warfare Systems and Vision Systems (More info...)
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Nanogen Cuts StaffSan Diego-based Nanogen reported yesterday afternoon that it plans to reduce staff by 15% by the end of 2006, as it focuses on improving cash flow. The firm said it is cost reduction and consolidation moves are part of its recent acquisition of several companies. Nanogen develops scientific products for researchers, physicians, and others, including PCR reagents, microarrays, and diagnostic tests.
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