Thursday, May 26, 2011


E3 Expo Expected To Boost LA By $25.1M
The upcoming E3 Expo, the tradeshow and convetion focused on the computer and video game industry which is running June 7th through the 9th, is expected to have a $25.1 million impact on Los Angeles. According to LA INC., The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, the millions of dollars already includes 28,000 total hotel room nights already booked for the event. The event is again being held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and is owned by the Entertainment Software Association and p (More info...)
posted on Thursday, May 26, 2011(Full story)

Ashton Kutcher Backs Airbnb
Actor Acton Kutcher is further extending his influence in the technology world, and has invested in San Francisco startup Airbnb. The Los Angeles actor has made a "significant investment" in Airbnb, an online vacation rental site. Kutcher also becomes a strategic advisor to the firm. Financial terms of the investment were not disclosed. Airbnb's vacation rentals site offers up "social" vacation rentals, connecting individuals who need a room with those willing to rent out a spare room for a nigh (More info...)
posted on Thursday, May 26, 2011 (More)(Full story)

Goldstar Promotes FamilyFinds
The first outgrowth of relationship between Los Angeles-based Goldstar and LA entrepreneur Matt Coffin appears to have surfaced in an email promotion to Goldstar members, inviting Goldstar members to join FamilyFinds, the family-focused, daily deals site started by Coffin. In an email today to members, Goldstar pointed its members to FamilyFinds, offering up a $5 credit to Goldstar members who sign up for the service. FamilyFinds provides daily deals on family activities, kids-focused retailers, (More info...)
posted on Thursday, May 26, 2011(Full story)

Interview with Jake Winebaum, Brighter
Jake Winebaum is a veteran of the Southern California technology industry, having run and sold a number of successful, Southern California startups. His last success was Business.com, which he sold to R.R. Donnelly, and he also was behind eCompanies, which invested in such companies as JAMDAT Mobile, Boingo Wireless, and USBX. He's also on the board of hot Silicon Valley startup Gigya. Jake's latest venture is Brighter (www.brighter.com), a service which is aimed at helping consumers find pre-ne (More info...)
posted on Thursday, May 26, 2011(Full story)

GameFly Buys Direct2Drive
Los Angeles-based GameFly, the online videogame rental service, said Wednesday that it has acquired Direct2Drive.com, the videogame distribution and download site, from IGN Entertainment. Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed. As part of the buy, IGN gains a minority equity stake in GameFly, with News Corporation also gaining an observer seat on GameFly's board. Jorge Espinel, EVP of Strategy and Corporate Development at New Corp., joins as observer on GameFly's board. Direct2Drive.com (More info...)
posted on Thursday, May 26, 2011(Full story)