Thursday, May 12, 2011GotCast Launches Private Label OfferingLos Angeles-based GotCast, the online talent casting site, said Thursday that it has launched its private label, social media contest product. The firm said the new MediaBlastr platform has powered digital campaigns from such brands as Sony Playstation, Mercedes-Benz, Dove, NBC, E! and Hautelook. Pricing on the new product was not announced. GotCast said it has added new employees in Los Angeles and Ohio to support the new MediaBlastr offering.
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Disney's Playdom Pays $3M In FTC SettlementThe Federal Trade Commission said Thursday that online virtual world site Playdom, Inc., which is now owned by Disney, has agreed to pay $3M to settle charges that the firm violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule. The FTC said that Playdom illegally collected and disclosed personal information from hundreds of thousands of children under age 13 without their parents' prior consent. The FTC compliant named Playdom Inc. and company executive Howard Marks. The FTC said in statement t (More info...)
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Docstoc Rolls iPad AppSanta Monica-based Docstoc, the document sharing site run by Jason Nazar, said Thursday that it has launched an iPad version of its service. The new app, Docstoc Premium, allows users to access both free and premium versions of documents on the site. The firm is also working on an Android version of the application. Docstoc allows users to share and upload documents, as well as purchase premium documents from partners and other users. The firm is venture backed by Rustic Canyon Partners.
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eFax Adds Large File Sharing SupportLos Angeles-based eFax, the cloud-based FAX service run by j2 Global Communications, said this week that it has added a new service to allow users to share files that are too large to share via email. The firm said the Large File Sharing feature is free to users of the eFax service. eFax said the service is ideal for customers working with files such as promotional videos, high resolution images, and sales presentaitons. The new service supports up to 1GB sized filse.
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Topanga Technologies Plans Product LaunchLos Angeles-based Topanga Technologies, the stealthy, Khosla Ventures-backed plasma lighting startup, said today that it plans to launch its products next week at an upcoming trade show. Topanga Technologies--which says it is developing solid-state plasma light engines which are far more efficient than existing lighting--said the products will be shown at the LIGHTFAIR International annual lighting trade show. Topanga has not yet announced pricing and details of the products, but says its lighti (More info...)
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Idealab Adds Lin As EIRPasadena-based Idealab is adding Harry Lin, the past CEO and President of Taaz, as an Executive In Residence. Lin said the move came to allow him to be closer to his family, due to the long commute from LA to San Diego. Lin has also been CEO of Lottay, in addition to serving at Zig.com, Evite.com/IAC, and as a VP at ABC.com/Disney.
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DTS Gets Design Win With T-Mobile G2xCalabasas-based surround sound provider DTS said today that its technology has been integrated into the T-Mobile G2X with Google, a new phone from LG aimed at gamers and music lovers. DTS said the phone is the first to integrate its DTS Ultra MObile sound technology. Financial details of the win were not disclosed. The DTS technology is used to enhance audio playback on the phone.
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Demand Media Names eNom HeadSanta Monica-based Demand Media has appointed a new head of its eNom domain name registration services group, the firm said today. Demand Media said it has promoted Taryn Naidu to EVP and General Manager, eNom. Naidu was previously Senior Vice President, replacing Michael Blend, who Demand Media said will work full time on special projects for Demand Media. Blend now reports directly to Richard Rosenblatt, CEO of the firm. Naidu has been at Demand Media since 2006, and previously served as CEO o (More info...)
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Local.com Names New COOIrvine-based Local.com, the online local search publisher, said Wednesday that it has named Michael Sawtell as the firm's Chief Operating Officer. Sawtell replaces Bruce Crair, who the firm said is leaving the firm to pursue other opportunities. Sawtell was SVP and GM of the firm's Sales and Advertiser Services business unit, and also has been President and COO from 2000 to 2005. Sawtell recently re-joined Local.com after serving as founder and CEO of DigitalPost Interactive. Local.com recently (More info...)
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