Conviva raises $15 million for smooth online video

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digitalmediawi
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Photo: Flickr/AMagillSan Mateo, Calif. – Conviva, a San Mateo, Calif.-based developer of online video technology designed to eliminate choppy, unpredictable viewing for both live events and on-demand content, said on Monday it has raised $15 million in a new round of funding, led by Time Warner Investments. Several previous investors also contributed.

The company said it will use the capital to accelerate growth in international markets, as well as to expand its staff.

Conviva‘s analytics and video optimization platform is used by studios, networks, sports leagues and content aggregators to raise the quality of online viewing, eliminating buffering, stuttering and stalling. Using viewer-side statistics, the platform is designed to preemptively adjust the video bit rate and stream source before an interruption occurs.

This article was also published in Bay Area Tech Wire.

Related links:

http://www.conviva.com

http://www.timewarnerinvestments.com

Press release – http://www.conviva.com/node/143

Photo by Flickr user AMagill, used under Creative Commons license

 

Talking Tom now available in branded versions

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digitalmediawi
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1

Talking Tom, one of Outfit7’s Talking Friends mobile phone animated avatars, is now available dressed as a player on six of the world’s most popular soccer teams. This is the app’s first extension into premium branding.

The branded content gains significance when looking at the numbers involved: the 14 Talking Friends have been downloaded more than 300 million times in 120 countries, with Tom accounting for a third of them.

Obviously, the relevant soccer teams have their own millions of fans. According to a 2010 study by Sport & Markt, FC Barcelona alone has 57.8 million European fans, a figure that doesn’t include fans who reside elsewhere and which is likely to have grown since then. The other five teams included in the revenue sharing deal are Real Madrid (31.3 million fans), Arsenal FC (20.3 million), AC Milan (18.4 million), Olympique de Marseille and SL Benfica, which collectively have won 130 National Championships and over 30 European Championships.

Each app will cost $3 or less, significantly less than the uniform replica jerseys that Sport & Markt says are soccer’s best-selling merchandising item.

Oufit7 worked with Digital Artists and Iconicfuture on branding Talking Tom with the world’s most popular sport.

“Today’s brand integration news is the first step towards expanding the significant global reach of the Talking Friends network further, through valuable partnerships with world-renowned brands,” said Paul Baldwin, chief marketing officer of Outfit7 Inc., a subsidiary of Out Fit 7 Ltd. “In the same way app networks are becoming the new studio system where beloved characters are born, in-app branding is the new form of strategic product placement. The possibilities are endless and we couldn’t be more excited.”

Outfit7 reports having over 90 million monthly active users of the Talking Friends apps. Launched in 2010, each features an animated 3D character that comes to life when poked, tickled, and played with on mobile touch-screen devices for the iOS and Android platforms. The interactive characters repeat everything a user says and customized videos of interactions with the characters can be shared via Facebook, YouTube or email. Outfit7 is headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus with subsidiaries in: Palo Alto, USA; London, England; Ljubljana, Slovenia; and Seoul, South Korea.

Related links:

http://www.Outfit7.com

http://www.iconicfuture.com

http://www.digitalartists.net

http://www.sportundmarkt.com

 

Rambus acquires Unity Semiconductor for $35 million

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digitalmediawi
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0

Sunnyvale, Calif. – Rambus, a Sunnyvale, Calif.-based developer and licensor of electronic systems architectures, said on Monday it has acquired Sunnyvale-based memory technology company Unity Semiconductor for $35 million in cash.

Unity has developed a solid state memory technology intended to replace NAND in the growing non-volatile memory market.

Rambus said the deal will expand the breadth of its memory technologies, as well as open new markets for licensing. Unity’s employees have joined Rambus.

“With the addition of Unity, we can develop non-volatile memory solutions that will advance semiconductor scaling beyond the limits of today’s NAND technology,” said Sharon Holt, senior vice president and general manager of the Semiconductor Business Group at Rambus.

This article was also published in Bay Area Tech Wire.

Related links:

http://www.rambus.com

http://investor.rambus.com/litigation.cfm

http://www.unitysemi.com

Press release – http://tinyurl.com/7cyfunk

Photo by Flickr user yomanimus/David Beyer

Kinect experience for ABC's 'The River' ends today

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digitalmediawi
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0

Today is the last day to experience “Explore the River,” the interactive mystery that viewers can engage with using Kinect for Xbox 360. It’s part of building anticipation for tonight’s two-hour premiere of The River on ABC.

Those without Kinect can interact with a similar version of the mystery online, but they’ll have to use a mouse instead of gestures. Additionally, successfully navigating the experience and investigating the clues unlocks a full-length HD trailer, which in most households would look better on the Xbox 360-connected TV than on a computer monitor.

“Explore the River” takes about five creepy, highly atmospheric minutes to explore, and it serves to set the stage for the The River, which has generated a lot of anticipation, especially for a mid-season replacement.

Viewers are presented with the disappearance of famed explorer Dr. Emmet Cole, known to millions from his television show, while on an expedition to the uncharted wilds of the Amazon. Months later, when all had given up hope for his return, Dr. Cole’s emergency beacon goes off, instigating a search accompanied by a documentary film crew. This turn of events throws together people whose relationships and motivations may not as they seem, then puts them in a highly charged and dangerous environment.

Related links:

http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/the-river

http://www.exploretheriver.com

 

Mobeam secures $6.4 million for mobile checkouts

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digitalmediawi
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0

San Francisco – Mobeam, a San Francisco-based developer of communications technology that allows mobile phones to interact with laser scanners at retail checkouts, said on Monday it has added another $1.5 million to its first round of funding, closing the round at $6.4 million.

DFJ Athena, a Korea-focused venture fund affiliated with Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and previous backer and board chairman Ben DuPont participated.

The company originally announced $4.9 million in October from yet2Ventures, Samsung Ventures and Mitsui, as well as other independent investors.

Mobeam then ended the year by announcing a partnering with Procter & Gamble to bring the first-ever fully mobile couponing system to market. The project will make electronic coupons presented on a mobile device scannable, so shoppers will need only their device, instead of paper coupons.

This article was also published in Bay Area Tech Wire.

Related links:

http://www.mobeam.com

Press release – http://tinyurl.com/7zk47so

http://www.dfjathena.com

http://bendupont.yet2.com

Studio One Networks names Johnson as COO

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digitalmediawi
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0

Studio One Networks today announced that Devin C. Johnson has been named chief operating officer of the company, which specializes in brand-aligned content creation and distribution.

Johnson will be responsible for strategic and operational leadership for Studio One Networks’ partnerships with online publishers and brand narjeters, in addition to overseeing the management of the company’s finances, marketing, business development and technology.

He most recently served as general manager of Digital Works@NBCU, previously known as NBC Digital Networks, where he worked with household name advertisers to create white label digital platforms to serve specific audiences. Before that Johnson led NBCUniversal’s Digital Innovation team, having previously held roles at Tribune Interactive, PepsiCo and Unilever.

“Studio One Networks has enjoyed rapid growth over the past couple of years, launching programs from clients such as Intel, Symantec, Nestlé and Procter & Gamble, while increasing our distribution network of online publishers by 20 percent – and this momentum needs to be cultivated,” Andrew Susman, CEO of Studio One Networks. “Devin’s expertise is well-aligned with our business operations, as well as our broader mission. Bringing him on board as COO is key in ensuring that we have the talent and resources to increase our capabilities and thought leadership as we take the company to new heights in 2012 and beyond.”

Related links:

http://studioonenetworks.com

Press release – http://tinyurl.com/7k6kggn

 

Hulu AdZone reveals voters' choice of Super Bowl ads [with video]

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digitalmediawi
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0

Hulu has announced the top commercials from Super Bowl XLVI, as voted on by visitors to Hulu AdZone, an initiative in partnership with Advertising Age that showcases past and current ads from annual football event.

Volkswagen’s “The Bark Side” pre-game preview was voted the most liked ad overall. But of the ads that ran during the broadcast, Hulu AdZone users chose Honda’s “Matthew’s Day Off” as the best ad, with Volkswagen’s “The Dog Strikes Back” coming in a very close second (as of 2 a.m. ET, Feb. 5).

The voting results were broken down into several other different categories, including:

Funniest – Acura, “Transactions” and Hulu Plus, “Hulubratory”

Best Celebrity Cameo – Will Arnett in Hulu Plus’s, “Huluboratory Extra Mushy Edition” (see below) and Matthew Broderick in Honda’s, “Matthew’s Day Off Extended”

Cutest Critters – Bud Light, “Rescue Dog” and Volkswagon, “The Dog Strikes Back”

Cutest Kids – Toyota, “It’s Reinvented” and E*Trade, “Fatherhood”

Best Soundtracks – Chevrolet, “Anthem” and M&M’s, “It’s That Kind of Party”

Related link:

http://www.hulu.com/adzone

 

Brightcove files to raise $69 million in IPO

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digitalmediawi
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0

Cambridge, Mass. – Brightcove, a Cambridge, Mass.-based provider of cloud content services, has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for its initial public offering of stock to raise an estimated $69 million.

Founded in 2004, Brightcove offers products used to publish and distribute digital media.

It offers an online video platform for distributing to PCs, smartphones, tablets and connected TVs, as well as a content app platform.

The company reports about 3,600 customers in over 50 countries.

This article was also published in New England Tech Wire.

Related links:

http://www.brightcove.com

SEC filing – http://tinyurl.com/77qe769

Reuters – Brightcove sees IPO priced at $10-$12/share

VentureBeat – Online video player Brightcove prices IPO at $10-12 a share, could raise $60M

Seeking Alpha – Brightcove Prices IPO At $10-$12 Per Share

GigaOm – Brightcove’s IPO: What you need to know

Photo by Flickr user Refracted Moments, used under Creative Commons license

TiVo's Super Bowl report says football rules over ads [with charts]

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digitalmediawi
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0

TiVo, which has been tracking must-see Super Bowl moments and advertisements for a decade, has released its report on what viewers actually watched on Sunday.

For those few who think televising the Super Bowl is primarily about football, it will be gratifying to learn that the most watched moment of the entire broadcast was Tom Brady’s “Hail Mary” throw into the end zone in the final seconds of the game between New York Giants and New England Patriots.

Other than that, however, entertainment ruled the day, as can easily be seen on the chart below. The half-time show featuring Madonna – along with Nicki Minaj, M.I.A., Cirque du Soleil, LMFAO and Cee Lo Green – was the second-most watched part of the Super Bowl. TiVo found that 15.7 percent more people watched half-time than watched the game itself, some of whom undoubtedly replayed it to see what all the fuss was about M.I.A.’s fleetingly raised middle finger salute to the cameras. The same viewership pattern emerged last year, but the 2011 increase in viewership was 8 percent, much less of a jump but a noticeable jump nonetheless.

The best of the advertisements also count as entertainment of course, with Doritos’ “Man’s Best Friend” in the top slot and its “Sling Baby” in third place, separated by M&M’s “Ms. Brown” in second place.

“The brands with the top three most watched commercials did not preview their commercials online, proving traditional television debuts of commercials still holds value to rise to the top,” said TiVo’s Tara Maitra, senior vice president & general manager, Content and Media Sales.

It will be up to advertisers themselves to determine whether gaining pre-game online buzz outweighs being the most watched ad during the Super Bowl, however.

 

TiVo’s Super Bowl analysis was prepared using aggregated, anonymous, second-by-second audience measurement data of the TiVo audience watching in “play” speed. The most engaging ads are determined by looking for spots with the biggest bump in viewership relative to the surrounding 15 minutes of programming, which according to TiVo offers a true reflection of change in viewership.

“TiVo’s second-by-second audience research rankings of commercials provides an exclusive picture of viewer engagement during exact moments that resonate the most. This critical point of difference allows us to highlight the true measurement of engagement from specific advertising spots, the halftime entertainment, or highlights from the game-offering a precise look at just what matters to the viewer,” Maitra said.

Related links:

http://stopwatch.tivo.com

http://www.tivo.com

 

 

Rdio shows Android love with totally new app

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digitalmediawi
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0

Rdio has reignited the intense competition among the streaming music services by totally redesigning its Android app, drawing attention back to the listener experience.

Overall, it no longer seems like Android is an afterthought. It now easily is comparable to the iOS version.

There are two immediately noticeable changes. For one, it supports the “remote control” capabilties of the latest version of Android – Ice Cream Sandwich – so that users can access the controls they need to play their music from the lock screen. This makes Rdio more convenient for listening while doing something else, like driving or working out.

The other is a cleaner design that offers all of Rdio’s key features directly from the home screen with a single click, and that does a better job of integrating social sharing and networking.

Rdio costs $9.99 a month, which includes unlimited mobile and online streaming along with wireless syncing to listen offline. There is a discount for bundling two or three people in a Family plan, and a web-only plan cuts the price in half to $4.99. In some territories, Rdio is also available via Sonos and Roku and in-car with Pioneer AppRadio.

Launched in August 2010, Rdio is headquartered in San Francisco and was founded by Janus Friis, one of the creators of Skype. Currently available in the U.., Canada, Brazil, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand, Rdio is funded by Atomico, Janus Friis through his investment entities, Skype and Mangrove Capital Partners.

Here is Rdio’s own list of the app’s significant updates:

  • Streamlined Top-level Navigation – All-new home screen design gives one-click access to key features in the app
  • Convenient Control – Take advantage of Android Ice Cream Sandwich’s new remote control client to manage playback controls on the lock screen, including viewing controls and album art
  • New Releases – Be the first to listen to new albums and singles on the day they are released, and access new albums released up to two weeks prior
  • Top Charts – Check out recent chart-topping albums
  • Recommendations – Discover more music by exploring fresh album recommendations based on your listening history
  • Enhanced Search – In addition to searching for artists, albums, and songs, you can now search for Playlists and People
  • Synced collection and playlist views – View only the music you have synced for offline listening, without the need to go into offline mode
  • User Profiles – Search, browse, and follow other Rdio users; discover new music by seeing their activity, who they follow, their playlists and more
  • And features of the previous version including Activity, Collection, Heavy Rotation, Playlists, Listening History, Syncing for offline access, and a variety of settings to control syncing and streaming on Wi-Fi or 3G
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