socalTECH

NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard has agreed to acquire King Digital Entertainment , the developer of mobile games, including Candy Crush, in a deal worth $5.9 Activision said its wholly owned subsidiary, ABS Partners C.V., will pay $18.00 in cash per share for London-based King Digital.

Activision 100

Activision Entertainment Santa Monica Acquisition 100

socalTECH

JUNE 10, 2013

Silicon Beach--the self-appointed name that has been used to describe many parts of Southern California''s tech community, but which has seemed to have centered itself over Santa Monica and surrounding towns--has no shortage of events and conferences. Last year''s event attracted more than 2,000 attendees. READ MORE>>.

Conference 205

Conference GRP Partners Entertainment Southern California 205

socalTECH

JANUARY 27, 2022

Santa Monica-based video game publisher Activision Blizzard is planning a new, yet-to-be-named survival game, which it calls "Unannounced Survival Game", it announced in looking to recruit people to work on the new project. The announcement linked to a Blizzard job postings page, and included a few pieces of conceptual art.

Activision 113

Activision Santa Monica Writing Entertainment 113

socalTECH

OCTOBER 31, 2011

Santa Monica-based Betterworks , the employee perks operator run by prolific Los Angeles investor Paige Craig, has expanded its menu of employee perks into the areas of Entertainment, Auto Care, and Pets.

Entertainment 145

Entertainment Santa Monica Los Angeles Services 145

socalTECH

MARCH 27, 2013

io/LA, in a note sent to its members last week, obtained by socalTECH, said that "unexpected things happen" in the startup world, and that it will be "sailing off into the sunset". A number of companies which were located in io/LA have now moved to coworking space CrossCampus in Santa Monica, according to those companies.

Chief Technology Officer 248

Chief Technology Officer High Tech Southern California SoCalTech 248

socalTECH

JUNE 8, 2010

Santa Monica-based Demand Media , the online content network headed by Richard Rosenblatt, said today that it has launched a new "Talent and Expert Network," which will highlight entertainment personalities through its site.

Demand 165

Demand Entertainment Media Tips 165

socalTECH

AUGUST 8, 2012

San Diego-based Sony Online Entertainment has rolled out a new technology for its popular EverQuest II online game, which allows users to control their avatars' faces and change their voices, as part of a deal with Santa Monica-based Image Metrics.

Entertainment 133

Entertainment Metrics Santa Monica San Diego 133

socalTECH

JANUARY 2, 2014

Santa Monica-based venture capital investor Siemer Ventures is one of the backers of a new, Japanese mobile video entertainment startup, Breaker. According to Breaker, it has raised $2M in a seed funding round, to help bolster its efforts to produce and distribute mobile video entertainment in Japan. READ MORE>>.

Mobile 224

Mobile Santa Monica Incubator Seed Funding 224

socalTECH

JANUARY 27, 2021

Santa Monica-based Science, the startup studio led by Mike Jones and Peter Pham, has launched its own Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC), called Science Strategic Acquisition Corp. Alpha (SSAA). According to Science Strategic Acquisition Corp.

Santa Monica 113

Santa Monica Acquisition Entertainment Pricing 113

socalTECH

OCTOBER 4, 2019

Santa Monica-based Vertical Networks , a "mobile-first" content studio which was backed by Snap , has been acquired by New York-based entertainment and sports media company Whistle. Financial terms of the acquisition were not announced. Vertical Networks was founded by Elisabeth Murdoch.

Networking 113

Networking Santa Monica Content Entertainment 113

socalTECH

DECEMBER 30, 2016

Silicon Valley Bank is big supporter and has been a sponsor of socaltech for many, many years. In 2016, our Santa Monica office more than doubled market share of early-stage companies. One example is Santa Monica-based hardware company, Ring, who transitioned to a hybrid business model that now includes recurring revenue.

Santa Monica 124

Santa Monica Southern California Venture Capital SoCal 124

socalTECH

OCTOBER 7, 2016

Santa Monica-based entertainment studio Lionsgate said on Thursday that it has named Julie Uhrman to the position of Executive Vice President & General Manager of Lionsgate Over-The-Top (OTT) Ventures, the company's streaming media service. Uhrman also has served at IGN Entertainment and Vivendi Universal.

Media 138

Media Santa Monica Entertainment Platform 138

socalTECH

JANUARY 9, 2019

Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard made a trio of executive appointments today, naming Rob Kostich has been named President of Activision; apointing Humam Sakhnini as President of King Digital Entertainment; and naming Dennis Durkin President of Activision Blizzard's Emerging Businesses.

Activision 113

Activision Santa Monica Entertainment 113

socalTECH

OCTOBER 3, 2018

Santa Monica-babsed Tyffon , a developer of immersive entertainment technology started in Japan, said this morning that it has raised $2.17M in a funding round, to set up its first location in Los Angeles. media and entertainment companies to bring "brands, content, characters and intellectual property to life".

Santa Monica 133

Santa Monica Entertainment Los Angeles Startup 133

socalTECH

JUNE 30, 2017

Santa Monica-based videogame publisher Activision has brought back Crash Bandicoot , its popular videogame character, in a new remake of the original three games for the PS4 and PS4 Pro. All three games had originally been released starting around 1994. All three games had originally been released starting around 1994. READ MORE>>.

Activision 113

Activision Santa Monica Entertainment Develop 113

socalTECH

MAY 2, 2019

Santa Monica-based GumGum Sports , which develops artificial intelligence (AI)-powered software to help quantify the amount of exposure sponsors are getting from sports sponsorships, has tapped a veteran of ESPN as its newest executive. According to GumGum Sports, it has named Tori Stevens as Senior Vice President of Customer Success.

Artificial Inteligence 100

Artificial Inteligence Santa Monica Entertainment Software 100

socalTECH

DECEMBER 1, 2010

Santa Monica-based FamilyFinds.com , the new daily promotions site headed by former LowerMyBills.com founder Matt Coffin, said today that it has raised $5.75M in a funding round, and has officially entered the online daily deal space. The funding had been uncovered by socalTECH back in October.

Yahoo 145

Yahoo Santa Monica SoCalTech Venture Capital 145

socalTECH

OCTOBER 16, 2019

Santa Monica-based TV Time , a developer of an app which lets users report information about their engagement with TVs and movies, has acquired New York City-based Mediamorph , according to the two companies. Mediamorph is a provider of entertainment content distribution and tracking services.

Southern California 113

Southern California Santa Monica Media Entertainment 113

socalTECH

APRIL 24, 2018

ICX Media , a developer of artificial intelligence and adaptive learning-driven tools being used to help brands, media companies, and content companies with distribution and monetization, said it has set up shop in the Los Angeles area, with a new office in Santa Monica. The company is led by founder and CEO Michael Avon.

Artificial Inteligence 100

Artificial Inteligence Content Tool Media 100

socalTECH

JULY 24, 2017

Santa Monica-based streaming television provider Hulu announced on Monday that it has appointed Kelly Campbell as the company's new Chief Marketing Officer. Hulu said Campbell will oversee the company's brand marketing, performance marketing, media, content marketing, creative, entertainment publicity and consumer research teams.

Hulu 113

Hulu Google Marketing Santa Monica 113

socalTECH

JUNE 18, 2013

A new, Santa Monica-based startup has created a new iTunes application, Draftpedia , aimed at providing a comprehensive source for NBA and NFL Draft history, player stats, and team rosters. The app--which is free--is the brainchild of David Rabie and Joe Sarafian, two Santa Monica entrepreneurs who were born and raised in Los Angeles.

Santa Monica 227

Santa Monica Santa Barbara Statistics Seed Funding 227

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 5, 2019

Santa Monica-based Super League Gaming , which organizes community esports events at theaters and other locations, has partnered with sports entertainment venue company Topgolf , where Topgolf will host amateur e-sports events and competitions.

Santa Monica 113

Santa Monica Competition Mobile Entertainment 113

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 27, 2018

Santa Monica-based venture investor March Capital is one of the lead investors in a new, video game publishing startup called Nifty Games , in a $3M funding round, announced on Tuesday by Nifty Games. He also was founder of Massive In-Game Advertising (acquired by Microsoft in 2006), among other firms.

Capital 113

Capital Funding Santa Monica Seed Funding 113

socalTECH

OCTOBER 13, 2017

Santa Monica-base online entertainment company TasteMade said yetserday that it is in a big expansion of its content, and is launching two new channels in the home and travel area.

Santa Monica 127

Santa Monica Content Entertainment Develop 127

socalTECH

AUGUST 5, 2019

Santa Monica-based vehicle subscription startup Fair , led by longtime automobile and startup veteran Scott Painter, is boosting its executive team, saying on Monday that it has added three new executives to its team.

Cornerstone OnDemand 124

Cornerstone OnDemand Truecar Ticketmaster Paramount 124

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 22, 2014

Santa Monica-based KIN , which operates a female-focused lifestyle YouTube network, has raised $12M in a funding round, the company said last week. The funding came from Corus Entertainment, Emil Capital, Mayfield Fund, General Catalyst Partners and Rustic Canyon Partners. The company is led by Michael Wayne. READ MORE>>.

Rustic Canyon 138

Rustic Canyon Santa Monica Entertainment Hollywood 138

socalTECH

APRIL 5, 2018

DeMartino was previously at Caesar's Interactive Entertainment and Playtika Santa Monica, and Reut was previously at Onestop Internet. The company said it has named Mike DeMartino as Chief Financial Officer, and Anton Reut as Chief Product Officer & Executive Vice President of Operations.

Media 113

Media Santa Monica Entertainment Los Angeles 113

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

Santa Monica-based Sixgill , a developer of Internet-of-Things, sensor software, has raised $27.9M Sensor is led by longtime tech veteran Phil Ressler, who previously has served at Bottlenose, Lumenz Networks, MyGreenlight, Big Stage Entertainment, Clearstone Venture Partners, and many other companies.

Clearstone 113

Clearstone Santa Monica Venture Capital Entertainment 113

socalTECH

JUNE 17, 2014

Santa Monica-based HelloSociety , which provides analytics for brands about activity on Pinterest, said yetserday that it has named Dennis Chang as Chief Revenue Officer. Chang was most recently Vice President of Advertising Sales for Turner Digital''s sports and entertainment efforts.

Santa Monica 164

Santa Monica Advertising Entertainment Sales 164

socalTECH

MAY 1, 2014

Santa Monica-based movie and entertainment company Lionsgate said late Wednesday that it is expanding into a new line of business, and has launched a new, interactive and game arm. He also had been at Creative Artists Agency, Walt Disney, and Bellrock Media. READ MORE>>.

Media 159

Media Santa Monica Entertainment Venture Capital 159

socalTECH

JANUARY 24, 2019

Santa Monica-based GumGum Sports , the developer of computer-vision software used for "sport media valuation", led by Ophir Tanz, said on Wednesday that it has doubled both its number of employees, and number of clients in 2018. The company did not announced how many employees it added, nor how many clients. READ MORE>>.

Santa Monica 113

Santa Monica Advertising Entertainment Tool 113

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 9, 2016

Santa Monica-based Demand Media --in what looks to be a tumultuous day to for the stock market--said this morning that it will begin trading its common stock today on the New York Stock Exchange under the new ticker symbol, LFGR. The company is changing its name to Leaf Group Ltd. READ MORE>>.

Demand 138

Demand Media Santa Monica Entertainment 138

socalTECH

JULY 22, 2013

Santa Monica-based mobile app monetization and testing developer Burstly has snagged away an executive from high profile mobile games maker Rovio. Rajamaki was previously head of advertising for Rovio Entertainment''s Angry Birds franchise, serving as Vice President of Advertising Operations.

Advertising 194

Advertising Santa Monica Mobile Entertainment 194

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 9, 2016

Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard said late Monday that it has received clearance from the South Korean Fair Trade Commission, on its deal to acquire King Digital Entertainment. The clearance is one of a number of clerances required on the $5.9 billion deal, which was announced in November.

Activision 100

Activision Santa Monica Acquisition Entertainment 100

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 23, 2016

Santa Monica-based Activision said this morning that it has completed its acquisition of King Digital Entertainment. The deal was worth $5.9 billion, and was first announced in November. Activision paid $18.00 per share in cash for King. Activision said it expects to boost its revenues in 2016 to $6.25

Activision 100

Activision Acquisition Santa Monica Entertainment 100

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 16, 2012

Santa Monica-based Activision Publishing is estimating a sell-through of more than $500M in the first 24 hours of launching Call of Duty: Black Ops II. The firm said it believes that the launch will be the biggest entertainment launch of the year, given those estimates. READ MORE>>.

Activision 164

Activision Santa Monica Entertainment Sales 164

socalTECH

JULY 23, 2014

Santa Monica-based entertainment company Lionsgate has made an investment in a Finnish game developer, Next Games , as part of a strategic partnership, the studio said this morning. According to Lionsgate, the investment comes as part of an extended Series A financing round for Next Games.

Invest 138

Invest Develop Development Santa Monica 138