Thursday, September 23, 2010


Report: MySpace Names Entertainment Head
A report today from the Hollywood Reporter says that MySpace has named Andy Marcus, the firm's Senior Vice President Business and Legal Affairs, head of its entertainment business. According to the report, Marcus will become Senior Vice President Entertainment and Video. THR said Marcus was responsible for MySpace's partnership with American Idol.
posted on Thursday, September 23, 2010(Full story)

Foundation 9: We're Number One On Xbox Live Arcade
Irvine-based Foundation 9 Entertainment, the videogame developer headed by James North-Hearn, said Thursday that it is now the leading developer of games for Xbox Live Arcade. Foundation 9 bragged that it has nearly 15% of the more than 300 games available through XBLA. The firm saidd that its top five XBLA titles have generated more than $22M dollars in revenue for the firm. Foundation 9 is backed by private equity firm Francisco Partners.
posted on Thursday, September 23, 2010(Full story)

Specific Media Promotes Schulz
Irvine-based Specific Media, a provider of contextual, online advertising services, announced today that it has promoted Jon Schluz to Executive Vice President. Schulz was most recently SVP Global Category development for the firm, and had previously served at Ford Motor Company. According to Specific Media, Schulz will help the firm develop overall company strategy and direction. Schulz had joined the firm in 2008. Specific Media one of the major operators of Internet advertising networks.
posted on Thursday, September 23, 2010(Full story)

Chumby Deploys With Automotive Electronics Firm QNX
San Diego-based Chumby, the developer of a Linux-based, programmable device which connects to Internet information, has linked with QNX Software Systems Co., the automotive electronics arm of Research in Motion. According to QNX, which supplies its operating systems, middleware, development tools, and more to firms such as Cisco, Daimler, General Electric, Lockheed Martin, and Siemens, QNX's automotive platform--the QNX CAR Application Platform--now supports Chumby's rich media Internet content. (More info...)
posted on Thursday, September 23, 2010(Full story)

Printronix Taps Former Palm Exec As VP
Irvine-based Printronix, a developer of industrial and business printing hardware, said today that it has named Sen-Yuan (Sandy) Ro as the firm's new Vice President of Global operations. Ro was most recently at Palm, Inc., where he served as Vice President of Strategic Sourcing and Manufacturing Operations. Ro has also served at Compal Electronics, PRTM, Fortinet, and Solectron. Ro replaces C. Victor Fitzsimmons, who the firm said had retired after working at the firm for 25 years.
posted on Thursday, September 23, 2010(Full story)

Sometrics Ships Browser Toolbar
Los Angeles-based Sometrics, the operator of virtual goods marketplace GameCoins.com, announced this morning that it has launched a new, browser add-on which will reward users with virtual currency for browsing and shopping and online retailers. According to the company, its new GamerBar, which works with Internet Explorer and Firefox, will award its virtual Game Coin currency for everything from searching for products and shopping online at retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Priceline, The North (More info...)
posted on Thursday, September 23, 2010(Full story)

Interview with Jay Samit, SVnetwork
Earlier this month, Los Angeles-based SVnetwork (www.svnetwork.com) announced the launch of a new, Internet advertising network. The firm was was formerly known as SocialVibe, and is backed by Redpoint Ventures, Jafco Ventures, and Pinnacle Ventures. We recently spoke with CEO Jay Samit, as we wanted to understand what the company was up to nowadays, why it decided to change its name, and how it sees itself fitting into the Internet advertising industry. Jay, thanks for the time. Let's talk a (More info...)
posted on Thursday, September 23, 2010(Full story)

Broadcom Backs Science Fair Effort
Irvine-based Broadcom is backing a nationwide science fair competition, with a six year, $6M investment, the firm said this week. According to the Broadcom Foundation, the nonprofit arm of Broadcom which supports science, technology, engineering, and mathematics efforts, it is working with the Society for Science & the Public (SSP) on a new, national middle school foundation focused on science, technology, engineering and math. The two said that the Broadcom MASTERS hopes to "inspire and rewa (More info...)
posted on Thursday, September 23, 2010(Full story)

Cytomx Gets $30M, But Plans Move North
Santa Barbara-based CytomX Therapeutics, a biotechnology firm developing antibodies, said this morning that it has raised $30M in a Series B funding round. The round was led by Third Rock Ventures, and also included the Roche Venture Fund. The firm said the funding will go towards its antibody platform--but, in a blow to local efforts to spur local biotech activity, said it also is moving the company to the Bay Area by the end of the year. As part of the funding, Neil Exter and Charles Homcy of (More info...)
posted on Thursday, September 23, 2010 (More)(Full story)

MyShape Launches Promotion To Drive Customers
Los Angeles-based MyShape, the online personalized clothing retailer backed by DFJ, Tenaya Capital and DFJ Growth Partners, said this week that it has launched a new promotion to drive women to the service. According to MySpace, its new MyShape Challenge allows customers to find tailored pants from Rafaella on the site, along with a scarf, and allow users to get a full refund on the purchase--keeping the scarf--if they aren't satisfied. MyShape has been looking to convince women to provide their (More info...)
posted on Thursday, September 23, 2010(Full story)