Thursday, February 4, 2010Hulu Features Super Bowl CommercialsLos Angeles-based video site Hulu said Thursday that it will be featuring commercials from this weekend's Super Bowl XLIV on the site, in a special section it is calling the Hulu AdZone. Hulu said that the section will feature each of the new, Super Bowl commercials after they air on the live broadcast, and also allow users to vote on their favorites. In addition to the new commercials, Hulu said it is currently featuring all of the Super Bowl ads from 2008 and 2009 on the site, as well as throu (More info...)
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Ranker Gets $750KLos Angeles-based Ranker, an online web site which allows users to create their own lists, and share them with friends, said Thursday evening that the firm has raised $750,000 in a seed investment round, part of a planned $1M funding effort. According to the firm, the round was led by Siemer Venture Capital, along with un-named angel investors. Ranker said that those angels include investors in founder Clark Benson's former startup, eCrush, which was sold to Hearst Corporation in 2006. The new f (More info...)
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Bohnett Foundation Gives $500K For Computer CentersThe David Bohnett Foundation, the nonprofit foundation started by Geocities founder David Bohnett, said Thursday that it has granted $500,000 to David Bohnett CyberCenters across the United States, to help update computer centers for the gay and lesbian community. According to the foundation, it grants "refresh" grants to keep computer equipment up to date in the centers, approximately every three or four years. The centers are used to help LGBT members network, communicate, and explore educatio (More info...)
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Hydra Launches Ad Tracking SoftwareBeverly Hills-based Hydra has launched a new, proprietary ad campaign tracking software product it is calling HNv2, the firm said Thursday. According to Hydra, the online ad tracking software is designed to help its publishing partners prevent fraud and the promotion of campaigns in unauthorized channels. According to Hydra, the software is a part of its move to eliminate fraud in its network, and employs cookie-less and pixel-tracking and other techniques to remove bot-generated traffic. The ne (More info...)
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Rotohog Signs NASCARLos Angeles-based RotoHog, the fantasy sports game development firm run by Kelly Perdew, said Thursday that the firm has entered into a strategic partnership with NASCAR.COM. According to Rotohog, it will build a fantasy exchange game for the sports brand, starting in February with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Daytona. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. RotoHog has been developing white-labeled, fantasy sports games for a number of major clients, including NBA.com, Sporting New (More info...)
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DTS In NFL PartnershipCalabasas-based DTS, a developer of digital sound decoding and processing technology, said today that the firm has inked a partnership with the NFL, to broadcast DTS 5.1 surround sound on the weekend HD broadcast of the Super Bowl XLIV. DTS said its DST Neural Surround technology is being used in equipment from DaySequerra, to incorporate 5.1 surround into the game broadcast. DTS develops decoders used in sound processors and licensed to consumer electronics manufacturers.
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Thunderhead Claims Growth, Adds ExecsIrvine-based Thunderhead, a developer of software for managing communications with customers, said Thursday that it saw 30 percent, year on year growth in its revenues in 2009. The privately held firm did not disclose financials or any details on the growth. In conjunction with the growth announcement, the firm said it has hired Julie Holland as an Executive Director at the firm, and Richard Burdge as Global Chief Marketing Officer. The firm said that Burdge has previously worked at Sky, HP, Vod (More info...)
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Newegg.com Launches Into Office SuppliesCity of Industry-based Newegg.com is officially expanding its online store into office supplies, the firm said yesterday afternoon. The firm said the new site is focused on consumers and small business owners. NewEgg explained that the store will offer everything from furniture to printer ink, toner, electronics, and paper products. According to NewEgg, the new store will be present on both its consumer Newegg.com and business-to-business focused site, NeweggBusiness.com.
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Interview with Tom Allanson, PerfectFormsFor today's interview, we talked with Tom Allanson, CEO of Carlsbad-based PerfectForms (www.perfectforms.com). Tom tells us how he went from running Intuit's Tax Group--which is behind the popular TurboTax tax software--to his own startup, which allows non-technical, business users to create their own business forms and processes.
What is PerfectForms?
Tom Allanson: It's pretty simple, conceptually, although it's harder behind the scenes. I've watched businesses operate throughout my caree (More info...)
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PC Mall Names PresidentTorrance-based PC Mall, a catalog retailer of IT hardware, software, and other products, said today that it has named Jim Garrity as President of its SARCOM subsidiary. PC Mall said that Garrity was most recently COO of SECNAP Network Security. Garrity has also served at MOreDirect and Ingram Micro. As part of the new move, current SARCOM President Robert Rich will become co-president of PC Mall's MacMall/onSale business. PC Mall operates the PC Mall, MacMall, PC Mall Gov and SARCOM brands, as w (More info...)
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BUZZMEDIA Boosts Sales Efforts With HiresHollywood-based BUZZMEDIA, the entertainment and pop culture publishing firm founded by Anthony Batt, said today that it has hired on two new sales execs, as part of a push to expand its advertising sales. The firm said it has hired Christopher Sanders as Vice President of Ad Sales, and Judah Wiedre as Senior Director of Sales. Sanders joins the firm from About.com, and has also served at AOL, Philips, and SONY. Wiedre joins from Heavy.com, and had also worked at Veoh Networks and Flavorpill. BU (More info...)
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Entropic Links With BroadLightSan Diego-based Entropic Communications, a developer of home entertainment networking semiconductors, said Wednesday that it has linked with BroadLight, a manufacturer of GPON semiconductors and software. According to the firms, they will use Entropic's MoCA (Multimedia over Coas Alliance) technology and BroadLight's network processors to develop optical network terminals (ONTs). Those devices are aimed at broadband operators, and connect consumer devices to broadband connections.
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