What am I Missy? Episode 8

Meliza Solan Surdi · February 13, 2009 · Short URL: https://vator.tv/n/6cb

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

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

Meliza Solan Surdi

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Related Companies, Investors, and Entrepreneurs

Ensequence

Startup/Business

Joined Vator on February 2, 2009

Ensequence, the interactive television company, is making TV new again. Ensequence delivers the reach and branding power of television with the engagement and measurability of the Internet. The company partners with the world’s leading programmers, advertisers and distributors to create interactive television experiences that can be delivered across a wide range of platforms – including cable and satellite television, broadband, mobile devices and Blu-ray Discs. The company’s award-winning software and professional services enable its clients to quickly build and deploy a high volume of sophisticated and robust interactive television experiences. Ensequence software and services also enable its clients maximize return on investment by measuring viewer behavior and engagement.

Slide

Startup/Business

Joined Vator on April 4, 2008

Slide is the largest personal media network in the world, reaching 144 million unique global viewers each month and more than 30 percent of the U.S. Internet audience. We help people express themselves and tell stories through personalized photos and videos created on Slide.com and viewed anywhere on the web or desktop.

Slide's products — including Slideshows, FunWall and SuperPoke! — are popular on top social networking and blog platforms, including MySpace, Facebook, Bebo, Hi5, Friendster, Tagged and Blogger. Slide is also the leading developer on Facebook with more than 84 million applications installed and the most active users than any other developer.

Launched in 2005 and founded by PayPal co-founder Max Levchin, Slide is backed by Mayfield Fund, Blue Run Ventures, Khosla Ventures and Founders Fund.