Buddy Media Archive

Here are some of the latest startup and event updates from companies based in NYC.

Ignighter

Ignighter has relaunched their group dating website today. The company is calling the updates "version 2" which includes an update to functionality and site design. It also looks like they have redesigned their logo. Co-founder Adam Sachs noted regarding the update, "One new feature that Ignighter is excited to unveil is the world’s first group matching engine. The site has developed an algorithm that determines compatibility between groups of friends rather than just individuals. This will help Ignighter suggest groups for you and your friends to go out with."

Ignighter has also updated their groups function to allow users to follow updates for groups they subscribe to. Adam tells me that their groups function is similar to following someone on Twitter.

Their other update regards their blog and I think it’s a smart move. They are adding more industry-related content to the blog in addition to site updates. This will help keep readers coming back and over time Ignighter might be able to convert them into trial users of the Ignighter dating service.

Check out my video interview with the Ignighter founders to learn more about the service.

Buddy Media

Buddy Media has announced the launch of Builder today. Buddy Media describes Builder as, "a proprietary Social Media Development Platform—the industry’s only such platform to standardize and enable rapid deployment of branded social media applications across all social networks."

Buddy Media builds "app-vertisements" which are basically applications build on social networks including Facebook and MySpace. Builder allows customers to build app-vertisements that can be updated easily when the networks make changes to their platforms.

Check out my video interview with Buddy Media CEO Mike Lazerow.

BootUp NYC

Another event has been added during Entrepreneur’s Week this month. BootUp NYC will be held on April 22 at Webster Hall. Tickets are $5 and it seems to be a very long program running from 6:30pm to the wee hours of the night. Speakers include David S. Rose and Sanford Dickert. There will also be a variety of DJs and drink specials throughout the night.

(note: we are a media sponsor of Entrepreneur’s Week although not for this event)

Earlier this year NY-based Buddy Media raised $6.5 million for their social application network. Today I spent some time at their office in Manhattan. Walking into the office I wasn’t sure I was in the right place as Don King welcomed me and all of the other employees were dressed up for the holiday.

Below is my discussion with CEO Mike Lazerow. You will note that Mike apparently also plays the role of Captain America but he took off his super powers suit for the interview. Buddy Media creates social applications for their corporate clients to reach end consumers online differently than the traditional banner ad. We discuss social metrics and the education needed to get consumer brands to buy into "non-traditional" online spending. Mike also discusses the Buddy Media "brain". At the end of the interview Mike speaks briefly about the economy and the differences you will see with startups moving forward.

Buddy Media announced today that they have raised a Series B round of funding to the tune of $6.5 million. The round was led by Softbank Capital with 14 Series A investors participating in the Series B. Ron Conway, GreyCroft Partners and the European Founders Fund also participated in the round.

The other major announcement coming out of Buddy Media HQ is the launch of a "social advertising network." The idea is to bring together advertisers and social media applications. The new network uses a self-service platform and allows for flexibility in the creative formats and in the pricing models. The network is invitation-only allowing Buddy Media to only rep the apps that they believe are the best. The company claims Priceline.com, Microsoft, Anheuser Busch as a partial client list.

This news comes after the news today that Lookery served a billion ads so far this month. Check out Buddy Media’s demo at the NY Web 2.0 meetup late last year.