Thursday, April 24, 2014Maker Studios Ties With Viral Video Company JukinLos Angeles-based Maker Studios has partnered with Jukin Media, which operates a number of YouTube channels focused on viral videos, the two companies said Thursday. Financial details of the partnership were not announced. According to the two, they will launch a standalone website for Jukin's viral video channel, FailArmy, along with other efforts to monetize Jukin Media's various channels. Fail Army's YouTube channel features Internet "fails" -- think alcohol, a GoPro, and and overload of test (More info...)
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Connectivity Finds $6.35MLos Angeles-based Connectivity announced today that it has raised $6.35M in a Series A funding, for the company's customer analysis software for businesses. The startup said the funding round was led by Greycroft Partners, and also included Rincon Venture Partners, Daher Capital, Double M Partners, TenOneTen Ventures, Eytan Elbaz and SLP Ventures. Connectivity--which runs local serach sites YellowBot.com and weblocal.ca--is led by Matt Booth. Connectivyt's platform helps companies manage their o (More info...)
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Groundmetrics Digs Up $2.73M In Series B FundingSan Diego-based GroundMetrics, a developer of electromagnetic surveying technology used by the oil and gas industry, has raised $2.73M in a Series B funding round. According to the company, the funding came from Cowboy Technology Angels, an Oklahoma-based angel group made up of oil industry executives. The funding also included Tech Coast Angels, Crescent Ridge Partners, ACE Fund, Harvard Business School Alumni Angels, and Peter Landin, former Managing Director and CEO/Americas for Barclays Glob (More info...)
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Hulu Makes iOS, Android Devices Into A TV Remote ControlWho needs that TV remote when you can use your smartphone? Santa Monica-based television streaming site Hulu has rolled out a new feature, which lets users control what is playing on Hulu Plus on their living room device, using their iOS or Android mobile phone or tablet. Hulu said its new remote control feature--which works with Hulu Plus running on PlayStation 4, Playstation 3, and Xbox One--lets users pair their smartphones with any devices to directly control what you are watching from an ap (More info...)
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Fandango Buys Movieclips From ZEFRLos Angeles-based Fandango has acquired the assets of MOVIECLIPS from Venice, California-based ZEFR, the two said this morning, along with the team supporting the MOVIECLIPS service. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. According to Fandango, it will use the acquisition of MOVIECLIPS to expand its product offerings in the area of video, content, and movie discovery. MOVIECLIPS offers up exactly what you would expect--movie clips, trailers, and content--via its own website and 25 differ (More info...)
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Spreeify Launches Social Ad PlatformLos Angeles-based Spreeify, the social marketing software startup led by Ruben Dua, announced this morning that it has launched a new, social advertising platform it is calling SocialActive. The company said that the new technology allows advertisers to embed social engagement options--such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and other post/follow buttons--directly within IAB HTML5 advertising ads. Spreeify says the new technology has already been used by Swarovski, Adobe, and others. Spreeify said (More info...)
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J.D. Power Buys KorrelateWestlake Village-based J.D. Power, the unit of McGraw Hill Financial which measures consumer opinions of automotive manufacturers, said Wednesday that it has acquired digital advertising company Korrelate. Korrelate was based in Orlando, Florida, and developed technology to tie consumer's online behavior to offline purchasing of new and used vehicles. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. J.D. Power said the move will help its customers by allowing marketers to measure online ac (More info...)
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StudyMode Takes On Student SpellingLos Angeles-based StudyMode, which develops online, educational tools and apps, said today that it has released a new online game aimed at helping students practice spelling. The company said that its new game, Stellar Speller, is an extension of its flashcard site Cram.com. The new software is free, and also is accessible via mobile platforms. StudyMode said the new game is the second online game released by the company's Cram.com website. StudyMode is led by Blaine Vess.
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Boingo Wins John Wayne AirportLos Angeles-based wireless network provider Boingo Wireless has scored a win near home, saying Wednesday that it has been selected by the County of Orange to upgrade the wireless network at John Wayne Airport (SNA). Financial details of the win were not disclosed. Boingo said the deal includes both a new, Distributed Antenna System (DAS) for the airport to improve cell phone coverage and capacity at the airport, as well as an upgrade of Boingo's existing Wi-Fi network. Boingo said it will also m (More info...)
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Emulex Ties With IBM POWER GroupCosta Mesa-based Emulex, the developer of high speed networking equipment, said yesterday that it has joined the OpenPOWER foundation, the industry group which supports IBM's POWER hardware and software stack. Emulex said it provides its equipment for IBM POWER platforms, and the move will help improve the functionality and value of that platform. The company said it joined the group as a preparation for transition to Gen 5 Fibre Channel and 40GB Ethernet.
posted on Thursday, April 24, 2014(Full story)