Thursday, July 26, 2007AdECN Acquired By MicrosoftSanta Barbara-based AdECN, which operates an online advertising exchange marketplace, has been acquired by Microsoft. Microsoft announced the deal Thursday afternoon, but did not disclose terms of the deal. AdECN provides technology used for a real-time auction of display advertising on web sites. According to Microsoft, the acquisition is expected to complete in the first half of Microsoft's fiscal year 2008. AdECN was founded in 2003, and employs 30, who will become part of Microsoft's Online (More info...)
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Cyntellect Raises $15.1M For ExpansionSan Diego-based Cyntellect has raised $15.1M in a new venture financing round, the company said Wednesday. The Series D round was led by Third Security LLC's New River Management V fund, along with one of the firm's existing shareholders. Cyntellect said that the funding will go towards hiring personnel, expanding operations, and accelerating development and commercialization of its products. Cyntellect is developing technology for cell imaging, used for life science research.
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Business.com Acquired By R.H. Donnelley For $345MSanta Monica-based Business.com, the online business search engine headed by Jake Winebaum, has been acquired. R.H. Donnelley Corporation said this morning that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Business.com, in a deal worth $345M in cash. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2007. Jake Winebaum, CEO of Business.com, will become President of R.H. Donnelley's interactive unit, which also includes DexKnows.com and LocalLaunch, a search engine marketing company. R.H. (More info...)
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Veoh Networks Hires Yahoo VP As New HeadSan Diego-based Veoh Networks, the Internet video sharing and distribution site, said this morning that it has hired Steve Mitgang as CEO of the firm. Mitgang was most recently Senior Vice President at Yahoo, in charge of the firm's new Panama advertising platform. Mitgang also served as general manager of Overture, before its acquisition by Yahoo. Veoh founder and current CEO Dmitry Shapiro will become Chief Innovation Officer. Mitgang has also previously served as president and CEO of Keylime (More info...)
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MySpace Teams For Talent ContestLos Angeles-based MySpace, Fox Broadcasting Company, and the Producers Guild of America announced today that the three are in a partnership to run a contest focused on finding aspiring producers. The companies said they are launching a program, "The Storyteller Challenge" which will invite aspiring producers to enter their own, original 5-7 minute television pilots. The producers will get the opportunity for a development deal with FOX, and $25,000. Entries will be posted and voted on a dedicate (More info...)
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Evite Claims 15M UsersLos Angeles-based Evite, an online event planning service, said today that it has surpassed 15 million registered users. The firm said that the number of users represents a 30 percent annual increase in its user base. Evite provides a service that allows users to email others to plan events, parties, and get- togethers. Evite added that it has six million unique visitors monthly, according to comSCore/Media Metrix. Evite is owned by IAC Search & Media.
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Linspire Joins Microsoft Linux GroupSan Diego-based Linspire said this morning that it has joined a Linux interoperability group. The firm said that it is now a member in the Interop Vendor Alliance, which is made up of Microsoft, Novell, Red Hat, and other vendors. The membership follows an agreement the firm inked with Microsoft last year on interoperability; the Interop Vendor Alliance is specifically focused on connecting products with Microsoft technology, and is controlled by Microsoft. Both Novell and Linspire have seen wid (More info...)
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ESPN, MediaFLO, Verizon Launch Sports TV ChannelSan Diego-based MediaFLO, the mobile TV subsidiary of Qualcomm, launched a new mobile TV channel today focused on sports. MediaFLO, Verizon Wireless, and ESPN said they are teaming up to deliver EXPN on V CAST Mobile TV, a mobile television channel specifically tied to the X Games 13. The new channel, which will be available only through the duration of the X Games, will provide live competition, behind the scenes coverage and commentary to mobile phones on Verizon's V CAST wireless TV services. (More info...)
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j2 Expands Overseasj2 Global Communications, which operates Internet FAX and voicemail services, announced this morning that it has rolled out additional service coverage for its Onebox products in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and Hong Kong. The firm's Onebox service allows companies to maintain a local, in-country phone number along with a central voicemail service. j2 Global Communications is based in Los Angeles.
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Buzznet Taps Goldman For CEOHollywood-based Buzznet, an online networking web site funded by Anthem Ventures and Redpoint Ventures, is announcing today that it has hired a new chief executive officer. The firm has hired Tyler Goldman, who was most recently acting president at RSS search engine Feedster, to the position. Goldman has also served at Movielink, and was president and founder of Broadband Sports. Buzznet is focused on social media around music and artists.
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