Tag: Fox Interactive Media

Fox acquires ad tech firm to boost MySpace

MUMBAI: Fox Interactive Media (FIM) in the US has bought ad technology firm Strategic Data Corporation.

It is hoping to better leverage the data of its social networking site MySpace from user profiles, blogs and bulletins.

The acquisition will allow for more-refined audience segmentation and contextual micro-targetting.

Media reports state that FIM will be able to create lifestyle audience segments and ad packages for performance- and CPM-based ad campaigns. The company has not yet employed user profile information to target display ads, but it has used the data to better target Google sponsored text ads.

FIM properties generated more than 40.4 billion page views in January, according to ComScore, with the vast majority coming from MySpace. News Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch recently said that MySpace is generating about $25 million per month in ad revenue, growing at about 30 per cent per quarter. Yet despite the fast growth rate, the site lags far behind revenue generated by sites of similar size, with generic ad impressions often priced at less than $1 CPMs because FIM has so far not been able to target them to visitor interests.

February 24, 2007
Star unveils downloadable video content on indya.com

MUMBAI: The Star Group’s internet portal, indya.com has announced the launch of a digital entertainment store, by which users can download content. Among top shows on the network, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, The Great Indian Laughter Challenge and Koffee With Karan will be made available for download. indya.com is also working with other content providers to bring Indian documentaries, current affairs updates, films and music online.

The service is powered by Direct2Drive, Fox Interactive Media’s digital retail store, which already offers an array of downloadable film, television and anime content from providers, such as 20th Century Fox, Lionsgate Films, and Starz Entertainment. Users can access the service at http://broadband.indya.com.

Single episodes are now available for free on a trial basis in order to allow users to sample the quality of the content and service. Additional episodes are priced starting from US$0.99 though special discounts are available for bundle purchases. Additionally, indya.com’s exclusive recap episodes will be available for top serials, chronicling an entire week of events in a 45-minute specially created recap. Recap episodes for shows like Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, are available now in the same week as aired on TV, with other shows to be added to the mix in the near future, informs an official release.

It will be available worldwide and is targeted at broadband-enabled South Asian audiences in the U.S., U.K., Canada and South East Asia.

The new service is offered via a “download-to-own” model, in which content is downloaded to the end-user’s PC. Purchased content is then playable on up to two Windows Media compatible devices, including portable players, allowing consumers to view their content on the go, adds the release.

“This is the first time an Asian internet portal has made this kind of scale of entertainment content available online,” said Star India executive vice president and head, interactive media Ajay Vidyasagar. “We are very pleased to be able to launch the service with a number of Star’s popular properties and look forward to working with other content providers in order to offer broadband enabled South Asians the world over the best entertainment content for download.”

January 18, 2007
Fox Interactive Media acquires Newroo Inc. and kSolo.com

MUMBAI: Fox Interactive Media (FIM) has completed two acquisitions of early stage companies, Newroo Inc. and kSolo.com. Newroo has developed an intelligent tool that scans the web and finds the most relevant information for users from thousands of websites, enabling them to easily create their own web sites by aggregating and remixing content from third-party websites and blogs.

kSolo.com is a user-generated music service that enables its community to easily create, share and rate their own recorded music and connect around shared tastes in music genre and style.

“Fox Interactive Media’s acquisitions of Newroo and kSolo demonstrate our commitment to empowering users with interesting tools that they can use to further enhance their online experience and online identity,” says Fox Interactive Media president Ross Levinsohn. “The acquisitions further validate FIM’s ability to unearth early stage, technically savvy web 2.0 companies led by entrepreneurial, forward-thinking management teams.”

“We are excited to bring both our technology and music community to the Fox Interactive Media family of web companies. We look forward to working with them to build the next generation of online music experiences for consumers,” said Nimrod Lev, founder and CEO of kSolo.com.

“We were attracted to Fox Interactive Media because they quickly grasped our vision to provide web users with a powerful tool set to create decentralized vertical content websites around people’s passions and interests,” added Dan Gould and Brian Norgard, co-founders of Newroo.

Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed. Both technologies will be deployed across relevant sites in the growing FIM Network, said a company statement.

FIM is building an integrated network of sites that offer its more than 70 million worldwide users socially rich media experiences centered on entertainment, news, information and self-expression. The company’s network includes internet assets from News Corp. divisions, including Foxsports.com, Americanidol.com and Fox.com. Other online portals FIM also owns and operates include social networking portal MySpace.com, gaming and entertainment site IGN.com, collegiate and pro sports network Scout.com and men’s lifestyle portal AskMen.com.

May 20, 2006
MySpace appoints Hemanshu Nigam as chief security officer

MUMBAI: Fox Interactive Media (FIM), parent of MySpace.com, has appointed industry veteran Hemanshu Nigam to oversee safety, education and privacy programs and law enforcement affairs for MySpace, as well as the growing network of FIM properties.

Nigam, who currently serves as director of consumer security outreach and child safe computing at Microsoft Corporation, brings more than 15 years of experience in online safety for private industry and law enforcement, including serving as a Federal prosecutor against internet child exploitation for the US Department of Justice, an advisor to a Congressional commission on online child safety, and an advisor to the White House on cyberstalking. Nigam’s appointment is effective 1 May, 2006.

“Hemanshu is a proven leader in online safety and security. We are fortunate to have him join MySpace, help us educate the public and protect our members’ safety and privacy. MySpace has always been committed to an industry leading role in Internet safety and will continue to partner with all stakeholders including parents, educators, law enforcement and safety groups,” said MySpace CEO Chris DeWolfe.

“Fox Interactive Media and its network of properties will greatly benefit from Hemu’s experience, stature among law enforcement and private industry leaders, and strategic vision. We look forward to working with Hemu as we continue in our commitment to provide a leadership role in developing industry standards that safeguard our growing community of members,” said Fox Interactive Media president Ross Levinsohn.

Prior to joining Microsoft, Nigam served as vice president of Worldwide Internet Enforcement at the Motion Picture Association of America. There he built and oversaw the global strategy to combat online motion picture piracy for the seven major Hollywood studios.

April 17, 2006
Fox Interactive Media makes key management appointments

MUMBAI: Internet pioneers Mark Jung and Jim Heckman will take on key leadership roles for Fox Interactive Media (FIM). This announcment was made by FIM president Ross Levinsohn.

IGN CEO Jung will become COO for FIM, while Scout.com founder and CEO Heckman will become chief strategy officer.

IGN, the primary online destination for young male gaming and entertainment enthusiasts and Scout.com, a leading online sports network, were purchased last year by News Corporation and today operate under the Fox Interactive Media banner.

Jung and Heckman will relinquish their operational roles at IGN and Scout respectively and will turn their attentions to building Fox Interactive Media.

“Mark and Jim are true visionaries in the Internet space, each having built and run extremely successful companies from the ground up. They are both savvy managers and possess the kind of entrepreneurial spirit that has always been the heart of our company,” said Levinsohn.

“Fox has amassed some of the most exciting sites on the web. I am looking forward to working closely with Ross, Jim and the rest of the team on integration and creating a truly unique Internet offering,” said Jung.

“When you consider the power of Foxs worldwide brand coupled with its already massive on-line reach, the possibilities for strategic growth are boundless. Its a very exciting time for FIM, and Im thrilled with the opportunity to play a role in its development,” said Heckman.

Jung will oversee the day to day operations for the burgeoning online network of sites, including sales, technology and product and content development. The network now has 70 million monthly users and 24 billion page views. Monetizing those sites will be at the forefront of his focus, along with integrating existing and future online properties.

Heckman, who founded and built three separate online networks over the last 10 years, will focus on overall strategic planning, growth opportunities and corporate development.

Fox Interactive Media manages the internet assets from all News Corp. divisions, including the highly trafficked foxsports.com; Americanidol.com and fox.com. With the 2005 acquisitions of Intermix Media, parent company of MySpace.com; Scout Media and IGN Entertainment, News Corporation has quickly ascended to the top echelon of internet properties.

March 10, 2006