Monday, June 19, 2017


MINDBODY Names New President
San Luis Obispo-based cloud platform developer MINDBODY, which develops software used by the wellness services industry to manage appointments, clients, and other aspects of their business, has named Mike Mansbach as President of the company. Mansbach was the President of Blue Jeans Network, was CEO of Punchtab, and also spent more than 10 years at Citrix, working on that firm's GoTo products. MINDBODY said Mansbach will oversee sales, marketing, customer service, business development and corpor (More info...)
posted on Monday, June 19, 2017(Full story)

Snap, Time Warner Sign $100M Content And Ad Deal
Venice, California-based Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, and Time Warner announced on Monday that the two are in a $100M deal, where the two will collaborate on both content and advertising. According to the companies, Time Warner will develop and produce shows for Snapchat, from its wide range of networks and entertainment companies. The two also said Time Warner will purchase advertising for HBO, Turner, and Warner Bros. on Snapchat over the next two years.
posted on Monday, June 19, 2017(Full story)

Ring Rolls Out Second Generation Doorbell
Santa Monica-based Ring, the immensely popular developer of the Ring Video Doorbell, has just rolled out its second generation product, the company announced this morning. According to Ring, its new, improved device includes 1080p HD video recording, a removable, rechargeable battery, improved night vision, and interchangable faceplates, in addition to all of its existing features. Ring's doorbells have become very popular with consumers, eager to know what is going on at their front door, and w (More info...)
posted on Monday, June 19, 2017(Full story)

SpaceX Delays Today's Launch, But Might Have Two Next Weekend
Hawthorne-based SpaceX, the Los Angeles area spacecraft and rocket developer, has delayed today's launch of BulgariaSat-1 to replace a fairing valve, saying that its next launch opportunities for the spacecraft are 6/23 and 6/24. That's the same weekend as SpaceX is scheduled to launch another payload for Iridium, on 6/25. SpaceX said on Sunday that it "could be a weekend doubleheader" for the company on Twitter. SpaceX has at least another three launches planned for June on top of the Iridium a (More info...)
posted on Monday, June 19, 2017(Full story)

Smith Micro Names New CFO
Aliso Viejo-based Smith Micro Software announced this morning that it has named Timothy Huffmeyer as its new Chief Financial Officer. Huffmeyer had most recently been CFO of Black Box Network Services, where he had been CFO since 2012. Huffmeyer has been at Black Box since 2003, and previously had also served at Ernst & Young, PrintCafe, Inc., CoManage Corporation and ITPI Staffing. Smith Micro said its current CFO, Steven Yasbek, has resigned to "pursue other interests." Smith Micro is a maker (More info...)
posted on Monday, June 19, 2017(Full story)

Apple Hires Two Local Sony Execs For Video Efforts
Apple said on Friday that it has hired away two, former Sony Pictures Television executives, to help lead the creation of video programming for the company. Apple said it has hired Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg, both former Presidents at Sony Pictures Television in Culver City, to help in new positions overseeing video programming for Apple. The two have been responsible for such titles as Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, The Crown, Rescue Me, and others. Apple did not say if the two will be (More info...)
posted on Monday, June 19, 2017(Full story)

j2 Global Looks To Raise $550M In Unsecured Debt
Los Angeles-based j2 Global is looking to raise $550M in a senior unsecured debt offering, the company said on Friday. j2 Global said the notes would be issued by j2 Cloud and j2 Cloud Co-Obligor, Inc, in order to pay off an existing senior note facility, as well as for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions, and would be a private offering. j2 Global is a ravenous acquirer of cloud-based businesses.
posted on Monday, June 19, 2017(Full story)