socalTECH

DECEMBER 17, 2008

Anne Walls and John Singleton are co-founders of WordHustler (www.wordhustler.com), a local Hollywood startup looking to help writers connect with publishers. WordHustler launched in May of 2008 in a beta. We caught up with both Anne and John to learn more about the company. What's the whole idea behind WordHustler? John Singleton: WordHustler is a service that empowers writers to get connected with people who publish or produce their work. we do that by eliminating the hassles of the traditiona

Writing 209

Writing Hollywood Startup Sites 209

SoCal Tech Calendar

DECEMBER 12, 2008

Sunday, December 14, 2008 -- Hike The Geek. See [link] (more).

100

100

Frank Addante

DECEMBER 16, 2008

My (now former) assistant, Mallory Portillo, was the very first employee outside of the founding team at the Rubicon Project. We’ve grown quite a bit since she started just over a year ago. With our strong commitment to team development and culture, Mallory is now moving on to a new role. She’s going to be responsible for culture, training and communication (see our Cultural Values.

Develop 58

Develop Development Training 58

Jason Nazar

DECEMBER 10, 2008

So yah, I was a huge star trek fan growing up, and proud to say it. Personally I wish our outgoing President watched so he could have been more familiar with the Prime Directive. So its with great pride that I highlight this document on docstoc: 10 Importnat Life Lessons from Star Trek.

Writing 51

Writing 51

Advertiser: Aggregage

Office leases are one of companies’ largest expenses, and if your whole team is working from home with no clear end in sight, you may be wondering what to do about your lease.

Company

Alon Schwartz

DECEMBER 14, 2008

From the first day we started Docstoc people have been asking me “ why.Net ”? I’m being asked this by technologies, of course, but also from other, non-tech people like private investors, VCs, SEO experts, marketing guys, potential hires, partners, and any random guests that just happen to stop by and say hi to Jason (of course…). Thank God my 9 year old son hasn’t asked me that yet….

LAMP 45

LAMP PHP Java CTO Hire 45

CEO Flow

DECEMBER 23, 2008

Spend any time with me talking about lead generation or sales, and the term “layers of the onion&# or “onion layers&# will come up - a lot. I’ve found that this concept is a great analogy to help teams think through laying out their products and offers. The goal is to make it easier for prospects to “choose their own adventure&# in how they get to know a company and its products, step-by-step.

Sales 40

Sales Custom Customer Blogging 40

SoCal Tech Calendar

DECEMBER 12, 2008

Thursday, December 18, 2008 -- Mindshare. Mindshare is a monthly event that was created to serve as a platform for networking and the sharing of ideas across a wide range of fields. See [link] (more).

Platform 100

Platform Ideas Networking 100

Frank Addante

DECEMBER 16, 2008

My (now former) assistant, Mallory Portillo, was the very first employee outside of the founding team at the Rubicon Project. We’ve grown quite a bit since she started just over a year ago. With our strong commitment to team development and culture, Mallory is now moving on to a new role. She’s going to be responsible for culture, training and communication (see our Cultural Values.

Develop 49

Develop Development Training 49

Jason Nazar

DECEMBER 29, 2008

As planned, I’ll be hosting monthly presentations/conversations each month throughout 2009 on different topics for entrepreneurs. These are FREE events, and my goal is to help contribute to the Los Angeles Technology Scene by bringing together various entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, social media experts, and professionals in the technology field.

Los Angeles 46

Los Angeles Santa Monica Startup Angel 46

Alon Schwartz

DECEMBER 14, 2008

From the first day we started Docstoc people have been asking me “ why.Net ”? I’m being asked this by technologies, of course, but also from other, non-tech people like private investors, VCs, SEO experts, marketing guys, potential hires, partners, and any random guests that just happen to stop by and say hi to Jason (of course…). Thank God my 9 year old son hasn’t asked me that yet….

LAMP 40

LAMP PHP Java CTO Hire 40

CEO Flow

DECEMBER 8, 2008

Note: I first published this post exactly one year ago. Unfortunately it bears reposting again before 2009. I have a feeling this same post will be relevant for another few years until the conventional wisdom evolves. Also, I’ve published an overview of my new Sales Advisory Program at www.CEOFlow.com/advisory. ———– For companies selling products worth less than $100,000-$250,000, the old school strategy of hiring more feet-on-the-street to drive revenue growth is f

Sales 40

Sales Custom Customer Acquisition 40

socalTECH

DECEMBER 22, 2008

Irvine-based Skweezer, which provides services for translating web sites to mobile phone formats, along with an advertising network, said Monday that it has partnered with JumpTap. According to the firms, Skweezer's mobile content optimization technology is available on JumpTap's mobile search applications. Skweezer's technology converts any web site into a mobile-optimized format.

Advertising 124

Advertising Sites Mobile Web 124

SoCal Tech Calendar

DECEMBER 12, 2008

Thursday, December 18, 2008 -- Freelancers Ball. Holiday event for freelancers. See [link] (more).

100

100

socalTECH

DECEMBER 17, 2008

Irvine-based Kofax, which develops document capture tools, has hired on Jim Vickers as its Senior Vice President of OEM and Partner Strategy, the firm said today. Vickers joins the firm from Taylor Corporation, and has also served at EMC/Captiva Softare and Electronics for Imaging. Kofax said that Vickers will oversee all OEM, point-of-sale, channel management, and business development.

Tool 124

Tool Sales Develop Development 124

socalTECH

DECEMBER 15, 2008

Los Angeles- and New York-based My Damn Channel, a producer of online, original video, has bolstered its executive ranks, hiring on a new Vice President of Advertising Strategy & Partnerships for the firm. The company said that Sahaila Suhimi will fill the new role, reporting to CEO and founder Rob Barnett. Suhaila was most recently Director of Brand Strategy at NBC Universal Digital Studio, where she developed original content for NBCU.

Advertising 124

Advertising Content Venture Capital Los Angeles 124

socalTECH

DECEMBER 5, 2008

Computer game maker Activision Blizzard is apparently cutting jobs in El Segundo and Los Angeles, according to a filing with the California Employment Development Department. According to layoff filings, required in California of certain companies, Activision Blizzard is looking to lay off 4 employees in El Segudno, and 23 employees in Los Angeles on December 19th.

Activision 124

Activision Los Angeles El Segundo Layoffs 124

socalTECH

DECEMBER 4, 2008

San Clemente-based Sambazon, which markets food and beverages using the Brazilian fruit acai, said Thursday that it has raised a round of private equity funding. The funding came from Verlinvest, a Belgian private equity group. Sambazon said the funding will go towards distribution and marketing of its products. Bradmer Foods and RSF Social Finance also participated in the funding, and Sambazon was advised by Partnership Capital Growth in the funding.

Funding 124

Funding Equity Capital Marketing 124

socalTECH

DECEMBER 3, 2008

Los Angeles-based DailyStrength, an online health-related social networking site, has been acquired by HSW International, Inc., a developer of Internet businesses. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. According to HSW, DailyStrength has 700,000 unique visitors a month, generating 20 million monthly page views. Doug Hirsch, CEO of the firm, joins HSW International as Senior Vice President.

Redpoint 124

Redpoint Yahoo Social Network Venture Capital 124

socalTECH

DECEMBER 2, 2008

San Diego-based Nirvanix, a provider of storage-as-a-service, said Tuesday that the firm's technology is being used by video delivery firm Ooyala. According to Nirvanix, Ooyala is using Nirvanix to help its customers store and manage HD-quality video. Financial impact of the partnership was not disclosed. Nirvanix provides online storage for Internet-based businesses, which can be access via a programmatic API.

Windward 124

Windward S3 Mission Ventures San Diego 124

socalTECH

DECEMBER 2, 2008

Thousand Oaks-based Xirrus, a provider of Wi-Fi networking hardware, has installed its products at a university in Topeka, Kansas, the firm disclosed today. Xirrus said that it has rolled out its 802.11n Wi-Fi arrays at Washburn University, to provide wireless connections throughout the University's campus. Financial impact of the win was not disclosed.

Thousand Oaks 124

Thousand Oaks Networking Product Develop 124

socalTECH

DECEMBER 26, 2008

Hawthorne-based SpaceX, the commercial spaceflight startup headed by former PayPal founder Elon Musk, has scored a contract with NASA that is worth up to $3.1 billion, the firm said earlier this week. According to SpaceX, NASA selected its Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Dragon spacecraft for the International Space Station (ISS) Cargo Resupply Services (CRS) contract award.

SpaceX 113

SpaceX Hawthorne Services Startup 113

socalTECH

DECEMBER 22, 2008

Irvine-based Specific Media, which operates an online advertising network, said Monday that it has hired four for the firm's sales and client relations teams. According to Specific Media, it has hired Kathy Benigo, Jolene Ortiz, Ray Duncan, and Matthew Donner for the firm's sales team. Benigo joins from Disney Online, Ortiz from Yahoo!, Duncan from Autobytel, and Donner from Yahoo!

Sales 113

Sales Media Yahoo Advertising 113

socalTECH

DECEMBER 19, 2008

Hawthorne-based Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), the commercial spaceflight startup headed by ex-PayPal founder Elon Musk, has named a new president the firm said this week. SpaceX said that Gwynne Shotwell has been named as President, reporting to Musk. Shotwell has been at SpaceX since 2002, and has also served at the Aerospace Corporation, Microcosm, and Chrysler Motors.

SpaceX 113

SpaceX Hawthorne Report Sales 113

socalTECH

DECEMBER 19, 2008

Los Angeles-based GoTV Networks, which develops mobile content, disclosed earlier this week that it has launched a new mobile channel focused on country music. The firm said the channel--True Country--will include country music, live performances, itnerviews, new releases, and news. The new mobile channel will be available via Apple iPhone, T-Mobile G1, and Virgin Mobile.

Networking 113

Networking Mobile News Content 113

socalTECH

DECEMBER 19, 2008

Today's interview with with Rajeev Kapur , Chairman and Chief Wala, Greenwala (www.greenwala.com), a recently launched social networking site focused on green/sustainable topics. We spoke with Rajeev about the idea behind the site, how he went from being a General Manager at Dell to green social networking, and where the company is hoping to go. Where'd the idea for Greenwala come from?

Social Network 113

Social Network Sites Networking Startup 113

socalTECH

DECEMBER 18, 2008

Marina Del Rey-based Six Degree Games is targeting youngsters for its new sports-themed virtual world, Action AllStars , aimed at six to 14 year old kids interested in sports. The new virtual world--which was developed in association with the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLB.com), allows children to play games, socialize with friends, and interact with a sports-themed community.

Marina Del Rey 113

Marina Del Rey Clearstone Sites Media 113

socalTECH

DECEMBER 11, 2008

Dr. Ramin Sadr is CEO of Los Angeles-based Mojix (www.mojix.com), a firm which is taking experience originally garnered by the firm's technology team in developing -- of all things -- deep space probes for NASA, and has been applying that to the RFID market. The company has developed technology which uses deep space communications techniques to dramatically extend the range of passive RFID tags, used for things like supply chain automation, asset tracking, and warehouse operations.

Technical Review 113

Technical Review Innocal Technology Software Review 113

socalTECH

DECEMBER 10, 2008

Newport Beach-based CircleUp, which provides Web 2.0-style group messaging services, said today that it has launched a new platform to help groups communicate with their members. The new platform--billed SmartMessage--helps groups send messages among members and others. As part of the announcement, CircleUp said it has linked with San Diego-based Active Network's eteamz division, which will deploy the new tool throughout its web sites.

Activity 113

Activity Tool Web 2.0 Networking 113

socalTECH

DECEMBER 10, 2008

San Diego-based Novatel Wireless, which develops broadband modems for connecting PCs and other devices to cell phone networks, said this morning that its President, Brad Weinert, has resigned, as of Monday. Reason for the sudden departure was not given. According to the firm, the Weinert's responsibilities will be taken over by the company's senior management team.

San Diego 113

San Diego Networking Product Develop 113

socalTECH

DECEMBER 4, 2008

Agoura Hills-based Murano Software, a provider of outsourced software development, is branching out into Google Android application development. According to the firm, it has created G1MobileSoft, an offshore development company devoted solely to creating mobhile applications. The firm said it will create both iPhone and Android applications for its clients.

Agoura Hills 113

Agoura Hills Google Offshore Software 113

socalTECH

DECEMBER 3, 2008

Another Southern California-based ecommerce retailer is reporting that it had record breaking sales over the weekend, the traditional kickoff to the holiday buying season. City of Industry-based Newegg, which sells electronics and related items, said that Black Friday was the firm's biggest sales day, ever. The firm said it had a year-over-year, same day increase in dollars spent on Black Friday of more than 169 percent, and that it had triple the number of buyers compared to last year.

NewEgg 113

NewEgg Sales Southern California City of Industry 113

socalTECH

DECEMBER 2, 2008

Westlake Village-based Inphi Corporation, a manufacturer of high speed analog semiconductors, said this morning that it has appointed Dr. Tsugio Makimoto as an advisor for the company. Makimoto is based in Japan, and was most recently an executive at Hitachi Ltd. Makimoto has also served as Corporate Senior Executive Vice president at Sony. Makimoto is also an IEEE Fellow.

Westlake Village 113

Westlake Village Invest Help Companies 113

socalTECH

DECEMBER 31, 2008

Los Angeles-based content delivery network provider EdgeCast said yesterday that it now has more than 300 customers, saying that it has signed Twistage, a provider of video publishing services; Parallels, maker of virtualization software; PureVideo, an online video content firm; as well as many others during the year. The firm provides caching of web content, including video, software, and other multimedia content.

Customer 100

Customer Custom Content Networking 100

socalTECH

DECEMBER 31, 2008

Holiday shopping on e-commerce sites declined by 3 percent, according to the latest numbers released by comScore, which tracking online spending and internet traffic. comScore reported Tuesday that spending for the holiday season, beginning November 1st and ending December 23rd, totaled $25.5 billion, down 3 percent versus 2007. The results were the first decrease for holiday seasons since 2001, when comScore began gathering e-commerce statistics. comScore also reported the top e-commerce sites

Sales 100

Sales Commerce Statistics Sites 100

socalTECH

DECEMBER 29, 2008

Los Angeles-based RotoHog.com has snagged domain name registrar GoDaddy.com as a sponsor, the firm said last week, as part of a new Fantasy Football game on the Facebook social networking site. Financial impact of the customer win was not disclosed. RotoHog.com, which develops fantasy sports games, will operate a Facebook game which allows users to create their own fantasy football team for a chance at a number of prizes.

Social Network 100

Social Network Advertising Content Networking 100

socalTECH

DECEMBER 26, 2008

Thousand Oaks-based Teledyne Technologies announced Friday that it has acquired Demo Systems, LLC, based in Moorpark. Demo Systems is a designer and manufacturer of aircraft data loading equipment and software used by commercial airlines, the U.S. military and aircraft manufacturers. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, however, Teledyne said that Demo Systems had sales of $7.3M for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

Thousand Oaks 100

Thousand Oaks Acquisition Design Sales 100