What am I Missy

What am I Missy? Episode 8

Raising $90 million on your own; Dramatic merger; Happy virtual Valentine's Day

Innovation series by Meliza Solan Surdi
February 13, 2009 | Comments (7)
Short URL: http://vator.tv/n/6cb

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Let's take another glance at a couple VatorNews stories, and an inspiring "Lessons learned"s story we covered last week.

Raising $90 million without venture capital is pretty unbelievable. But Dalen Harrison, CEO of Ensequence, proved it can be done. Sure he spoke to 100 investors and was turned down. But he says the key to his success is to focus on maintaining relationships with the few investors who sign on early. These investors eventually become evangelists for your cause to help bring in new money. So there are three very important steps to get the job done. Constant communication, rolled up sleeves, and worn-out shoes can get you a long way.

Since LiveNation and Ticketmaster merged, there's been nothing but drama. The two agreed to a $2.5 billion merger earlier this week. Performing artists and concert groupies jumped into a mosh pit of disappointment. Bruce Springsteen was furious, according to Rolling Stones magazine. The Jersey native sang a sour note and it wasn't the hit song Jersey Girl. He posted an open letter to his fans stating that Ticketmaster is abusing the industry. Springsteen wrote in his letter: "A final point for now: the one thing that would make the current ticket situation even worse for the fan than it is now would be Ticketmaster and Live Nation coming up with a single system, thereby returning us to a near monopoly situation in music ticketing... If you, like us, oppose that idea, you should make it known to your representatives.” Looks like the new merger is one big ticket for hot seats to a concert of disaster!

With Valentines Day practically here, Facebook's got to be happy. Slide's Max Levichin told me that the most popular day for poking across social networks is Valentine's Day. So over the weekend, I expect hearts and chocolate to be sent all over Facebook. After all, these small gift-giving gestures strengthen social ties, writes Jeremy Liew. True. Getting drinks from Facebook friends is a nice small gesture, it strengthens social ties, it makes me smile. Though a few rounds of these may give me a reputation of someone who's virtually trashed! Nonetheless, it's good to give. And, as Liew writes - Facebook should motivate giving always. If it does, Facebook could see a more than doubling of its virtual gifts revenue.

Now that's a nice gift to Facebook's top line.

 What Am I Missy? is shot and edited by Chris Caceres


Related companies, investors and entrepreneurs

Plogo_ensequence-making-tv-new-again_ensequence
Ensequence
Startup/Business
Description: Ensequence, the interactive television company, is making TV new again. Ensequence delivers the reach and branding power of television ...
Thumb_2644_slide-pitch
Slide
Startup/Business
Description: Slide is the largest personal media network in the world, reaching 144 million unique global viewers each month and more than 30 percent...
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Jeremy Liew
Managing Director,
Lightspeed Venture P...
Bio: Jeremy Liew invests primarily in the gaming, internet and mobile sectors, with a particular interest in social media, commerce, and metho...

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Comments

Nick Ballantyne
Nick Ballantyne, on February 14, 2009

Love The Pink Hat! Bruce is Still The Boss and I like the AF Beat in the Backround! Still a Natural Go Vator!!!!


Lorenzo Carver
Lorenzo Carver, on February 14, 2009

Great show! You have a real knack for this Meliza. This should be syndicated. It communicates great information quickly, in an entertaining manner.


Rene Merzius
Rene Merzius, on February 14, 2009

Love the video. Straight to the point!!


Josh Chandler
Josh Chandler, on February 14, 2009

Meliza, check your email inbox, Vator inbox or Facebook Inbox. I have just sent you some really exciting news!


Azam Khan
Azam Khan, on February 17, 2009

Great Job Meliza, it's really interesting to see how social networks such as Facebook are generating tons of revenue from virtual goods, that have hedonistic and social elements. We'll continue to see a proliferation of such activities across the spectrum as social networks try to push these things on all fronts, especially near relevant holidays.

I really enjoyed your show as it comes in bite size chunks.


Ryanjoseph Reyes
Ryanjoseph Reyes, on February 17, 2009

I'm always watching these videos, I didn't know Valentine's day was so important to the internet world.


Comment_gbg
Michael Edwards, on February 19, 2009

Awesome job Meliza! I think CNN or CNBC needs to syndicate your show. It's a great counter balance to the doom-and-gloom crowd.

Keep it up!


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