fizwoz

San Francisco-based start-up fizwoz, Inc. today announced the launch of its service fizwoz^TM, the first ever online auction site for mobile phone captured photos and videos. fizwoz matches consumer content with potential buyers from television networks to social networking sites.

 

            Allowing sellers to post their photos or videos to the marketplace within seconds of capturing the image, fizwoz provides a native application for almost all smart phones worldwide including the Apple iPhone^®, Blackberry^®, Nokia^®, and Windows Mobile^® phones. Consumers need only download the free application and begin taking photos or videos with their mobile device. Content can then be posted on fizwoz.com in the following categories: breaking news, public figures, entertainment, sports, places and fun. Sellers set a starting bid, optional reserve price and "buy now" price. This information together with a description and other metadata is posted immediately to the fizwoz auction.

 

            Potential content purchasers are members of the media around the globe, including but not limited to television and cable networks, local television stations, newspapers, magazines, special interest media, emerging media, social networking companies, corporations, independent journalists and bloggers in both print and web applications. Buyers on fizwoz create a free account and identify the category or categories that match their editorial focus. Potential bidders in the auction are notified by fizwoz that content submitted matches their interest and they can then bid on the items they want, similar to other auction sites, and content is sold to the highest bidder.

Andy Sheldon, Founder/CEO:
Andy has over 20 years' experience in delivering products and services to the telecommunications and media industries. Andy has held executive product and corporate marketing positions at leading technology companies including; Visible World, Inc.; Sun Microsystems, Inc.; Microsoft Corporation; Silicon Graphics, Inc.; and Pinnacle Systems, Inc. Andy was the founder and CMO of 365 Media, and holds a B.S. in electrical and electronic engineering from Brooklands Technical College, England.

Ian Smith, Founder and SVP Seller Advocacy:
Ian has over 20 years' experience in developing and delivering consumer-focused branded products, programs, and services across multiple industries. Ian has helped multiple brands manage the move from mass marketing to more targeted, relationship and social-based marketing programs. Ian was Managing Director of Route 15 Media, and held marketing leadership roles at Kraft Foods, Inc. Ian holds a B.S. (Hons) in Industrial Chemistry from The City University, London.

John Wilson, CTO:
John joined Brandmail Solutions as the CTO in 2006. Prior to this John held CTO positions at two Silicon Valley startups, Concuro and 365 Media. John held a variety of senior engineering posts at SAP. As part of his work with SAP, John co-authored two patents in the area of user interface design and data visualization. Before joining SAP, John worked as a software developer at Cadence Design Systems and Oracle Corporation. John holds a B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering from MIT.

Ian Cameron, VP Client Services:
Ian was the Vice President of Associated Press with global responsibility for AP Images & AP Photos. Formerly, he was the Director of Editorial Sales, Getty Images, Vice President Sales, TV Guide Data Solutions and Sales Director Media, Reuters America. He joins fizwoz with 10+ years of general management, sales and marketing expertise within the Media sector with a heavy concentration in photos. Originally from Canada with a B.A. in History from Concordia University, Montreal; Ian is based in Paris, France.

Auction revenue percentage; Advertising revenue on unsold images, premium buyer and seller services.

First marketplace of its type that joins consumer captured photos and videos with media companies around the globe within seconds.