Tuesday, April 3, 2012


GraphEffect Takes On Twitter Ads
Los Angeles-based GraphEffect said Tuesday that it has launched a new product which will allow brands to run advertising campaigns on Twitter. The firm said its new AudienceBoost product, which is being tested by American Express and Digitas, helps brands to make the most of their Promoted Tweets and Promoted Accounts. GraphEffect did not disclose pricing on the new offering. The firm is venture backed by Lerer Ventures, Thrive Capital, Founder Collective, Rincon Venture Partners, CrossCut Ventu (More info...)
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Ayannah Gets Funding For Mobile Payments
Laguna Hills-based Ayannah, a developer of mobile payment products for emerging markets, has scored a round of funding, according to investor Siemer Ventures. Size of the round, and details of other investors, was not announced. Ayannah also has offices in the Philippines and Hong Kong, and offers a number of mobile payment services operating in the Philippines.
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TechForward Acquired By SquareTrade
Los Angeles-based TechForward, the guaranteed electronics plan operator backed by New Enterprise Associates and First Round Capital, has sold its operating assets to SquareTrade, the companies said Tuesday. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed. According to the firms, SquareTrade will use the buy to expand its service capabilities. TechForward--which had been part of the LaunchpadLA program in 2010--offered up a way for consumers to guarantee a certain purchase price for their (More info...)
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OpenX Powers Samsung Mobile Ad Network
Pasadena-based OpenX, the provider of digital advertising servers and technology run by Tim Cadogan, has inked a deal to power a new, mobile ad network being started by Samsung, one of the biggest providers of smartphones and tablets. According to Samsung Electronics, it has launched a new, private advertising exchange specifically aimed at mobile phones, called the Samsung AdHub Market. The new advertising network will be powered by OpenX. Financial details of the deal between the companies was (More info...)
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NewEgg Launches Data Recovery Plans
City of Industry-based Newegg, the online retailer of electronics and computer products, is expanding its efforts into data recovery services plans, the company said Tuesday. The company said it has partnered with DriveSavers to provide data recovery services plans to users, which will provide data recovery services to customers whose storage devices fail. The service--which works beyond backup and recovery to pull critical data off a failed or corrupted storage device--will cost $29.95 for one (More info...)
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CapLinked Enhances Search Tools
Manhattan Beach-based CapLinked said this morning that it has enhanced its online service for helping startups to manage their fundraising efforts, with a new tool to help find people. The firm said the new tool is aimed at helping users find investors, broker-dealers, or companies. The new tool allows users to better filter results by investors seeking investments or companies looking to raise capital. The new tools came in addition to some features focused on role-based permissions and file ac (More info...)
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Nimble Hits Google Chrome App Store
Santa Monica-based Nimble, the developer of cloud-based, contact management software which is headed by Goldmine founder Jon Ferrara, has extended the distribution of it service this morning with a new Google Chrome web application. The startup, which makes it easier for professionals and small businesses to manage their contacts, said its new Google Chrome app helps extend the Chrome browser to link to its service. Nimble's service helps provide a unified customer relationship management (CRM) (More info...)
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The Getty, LACMA Link With Google Art Project
Don't have time to ride up the hill to the J. Paul Getty Museum, or drive up to Malibu to visit the Getty Villa? Not planning to hit the Miracle Mile anytime soon to see LACMA? Well, techies can just jump over to the Google Art Project today and browse the collections for the two museums online. According to the the J. Paul Getty Museum today, it has linked with Google on its efforts to allow online users to explore museums and their collections, as has the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACM (More info...)
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Boingo Signs Wi-Fi Deal With Denver International Airport
Los Angeles-based Boingo Wireless, the Wi-Fi network operator, is extending its airport network today, saying that it has signed a deal to provide Wi-Fi internet for passengers at the Denver International Airport (DIA). Financial details of the deal were not disclosed, however, Boing said it was selected by DIA to help improve the quality of the free Wi-Fi service at the location. Boingo will also help power a new "power user" upgrade for the Wi-Fi service, which will provide faster access to co (More info...)
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Interview with Michael Witz, Mob Science
What does it take to take a social gaming firm to the next level? For San Diego-based Mob Science (www.mobscience.com), an injection of cash, some key advisors--and a deal with Zynga. Last week, the firm announced a funding round and a couple of key advisors, as the company looks to ramp its social gaming efforts and leverage a deal with Zynga. We spoke with CEO Michael Witz about the company. Tell us a little bit about Mob Science, games that you develop? Michael Witz: We're building soci (More info...)
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FreeConference Adds Windows Phone 7 Support
Los Angeles-based FreeConference, a provider of audio conferencing services, said today that it has added a new Windows Phone 7 application. The firm said the app allows users to schedule conferences, send invitations, and connect with conference calls through the service. The firm also offers up iPhone and Android versions of the app.
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Teledyne Bumps Stake In Optech
Thousand Oaks-based Teledyne Technologies said this morning that it has increased its stake in Optech Incorporated, from 19 percent to 51 percent of the company. Financial terms of the deal were not announced. The transaction came from Teledyne's subsidiary, Teledyne DALSA, Inc. Optech is an Ontario, Canada-based developer of laser-based survey and digital imaging instrumentation products, with 285 employees. Teledyne originally purchased a stake in Optech in March of last year.
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ValueClick Sets COO
Westlake Village-based ValueClick said this morning that it has named John Giuliani as its new Chief Operating Officer. Giuliani was previously President of the firm's Dotomi division, having joined ValueClick when the firm acquired Dotomi in August of last year. The company said Giuliani will now head up the firm's ValueClick Media, Dotomi, Commission Junction, and Mediaplex technology businesses. Kerri Pollard of Commission Junction, Bill Todd of ValueClick Media, and David Yovanno of Mediaple (More info...)
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