Revver Inc., the Los Angeles-based video file-sharing Web site that has generated buzz with its unique business model, is rebooting.
Two of the firm’s three founders, Ian Clarke and Oliver Luckett, along with members of the support staff, are leaving the company. Steven Starr, the other founder, is staying on board as the chief executive.
The company which has taken over $13 million in funding from the likes of DFJ, Comcast and Turner, has been touted as one of the more promising online video startups since it launched in November 2005. That promise has not been realized, however, and the company has yet to turn a profit.
Revver attaches a short ad to the end of a submitted video and tracks how many times each clip has been viewed. The company then splits ad revenue with content creators as videos spread virally. The problem has been that the company has been unable to crack the top 10 among video sites in terms of traffic. Meanwhile, several rivals have created variations of the business model and executed it more efficiently.
Whether the exits of Clarke and Luckett signal that the firm is shifting its strategy is unclear. They weren’t talking and the company did not return calls. Revver did announce two hires that indicate a marketing push is in the works.
David Armitage, who has worked for ad agencies Young & Rubicam and Chiat/Day, will become senior vice-president of advertising sales. Angeles Gyetvan, formerly of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, will become vice-president of marketing.
Additionally, Kevin Wells, who has served the company as a software engineer and consultant, has been named chief operating officer.
Old School, New Media
While Revver’s trying to make a go of it with a new business model, L.A. Ideas Inc. is taking a tried-and true format syndication and adjusting it for the Internet.
Through its Web site BiggyTV.com, the company is marketing broadband content including independent films, comedy shorts, TV pilots, stand-up segments, music videos and material from electronic press kits to Web sites.
“We truly believe that BiggyTV.com will change the landscape of entertainment and online video advertising,” said Chief Executive Kyle Borg. “Our plan is to syndicate original programming and archival material to millions of content channels.”
Borg and the firm’s co-founder Mark Shoolery have the professional pedigrees to make the venture work. Borg has been involved in creative and marketing positions at Capitol Records and New World Entertainment, where he handled the syndication of the Stephen J. Cannell library. His partner founded Shoolery Design Inc. in 1996, and has handled advertising campaigns for a number of major films and TV shows, including several on HBO.
The company is not only tapping into Hollywood’s talent base for content, but for potential customers as well. L.A. Ideas offers services including its trademarked Content Launch system, which assists independent film and TV producers in preparing their products for delivery over broadband, IPTV and cellular systems. It has a cataloguing capability, as well as syndication and distribution components.
The company also has deals with international film commissions and festivals to syndicate a number of animated short films, film library selections and special materials specifically collected for Internet distribution.
To see a BiggyTV demo, go to www.biggytv.com/btvplayer.
Tunes and Tickets
Latest to jump on the social networking Web site bandwagon is Ticketmaster Inc., the L.A.-based ticket broker. The company is tapping into the independent music sector with its purchase of music Web site iLike.com for $13.3 million.
Seattle-based iLike.com enables users to share recommendations on new tunes and artists through its Web site and optional add-ons that are compatible with Apple Computer Inc.’s iTunes and News Corp.’s MySpace.com.
“With our investment in iLike.com, we look forward to a series of integrations that will introduce live events and ticket-purchase opportunities within the iLike music discovery process,” said Sean Moriarty, Ticketmaster’s president and chief operating officer.
Computer Bytes
Santa Monica-based Boingo Wirelesss Inc. has expanded its European wireless coverage with additional Wi-Fi hotspot service across Europe. Boingo has signed up a number of WiFi partners in Europe, including Germany, Spain, Greece and the Netherlands. L.A.-based video game company Riot Games Inc. is getting off its mark with an initial equity funding investment of $1.55 million. Brandon Beck, a former executive with Bain & Co. has been named chief executive and the firm’s first release is due in the next few months. Testronic Laboratories Inc., which provides software and strategic advice to DVD, audio, video game and e-learning companies, has named Seth Hallen as senior vice-president. Hallen, formerly president of North American operations at Lightworks Inc., will establish deeper relationships with current clients, which include Disney, Paramount, Warner Bros. and Technicolor. Los Angeles-based Language Weaver Inc. has upgraded its translation software with a new licensing model for small businesses and government organizations, XML-based formatting and the ability to translate Microsoft Office documents. The company also added support for translation between Polish and English and Czech and English.
Staff reporter Dan Cox can be reached at (323) 549-5225, ext. 230, or at
[email protected]
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