Tracking Snap’s original content offers; Accu-Trade sells to TrueCar; GamesUnion reacts to Activision layoffs.
Digiday breaks down the costs of Snap Inc.’s Snapchat original shows, estimating Snap offers to pay entertainment firms $40,000 to $50,000 per episode for a series to premier on its platform. On average, a Snap Originals show lasts between five and seven minutes. Paying top dollar for episodes is part of Snap’s overall strategy to reel back in daily users and keep them entertained.
Games Union Rails Against Kotick
Game Workers Unite, an international union for the games industry, issued a statement via Twitter on Feb. 13 calling for the firing of Activision Blizzard Chief Executive Bobby Kotick after news broke that Activision would lay off nearly 8 percent of its workforce. VentureBeat reports the social media campaign started by Game Workers Unite alleges the “workers who helped with community management, marketing games, running e-sports, legal, and so much more are all far more valuable than the CEO,” though it is unlikely Kotick will resign due to the protests.
Accu-Trade Sells Minority Stake to TrueCar
TrueCar Inc., a digital auto pricing marketplace operating in Santa Monica, announced Feb. 14 it acquired a 20 percent stake in vehicle-appraisal software developer Accu-Trade, based in New Brunswick, Canada. The platform is designed to give dealers the ability to better assess vehicle valuations and facilitate sales. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed by either party.
Tech reporter Samson Amore can be reached at [email protected] or (323) 556-8335. Follow him on Twitter @samsonamore.
