Disney's
gets new leader
After news that Maker Studios president Ynon Kreiz would step down by January 11, the Culver City-based media company announced that former chief strategy officer Courtney Holt will be his replacement. Holt will report directly to Jimmy Pitaro, co-chair of Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media. [Disney’s Maker Studios Names New Leader: LA Business Journal]
University of California confirms $250M investment fund
The capital will help support innovative research at any number of schools within the University of California network. While the fund was announced earlier this month, UC revealed that tech entrepreneur Vivek Ranadivé would spearhead the endeavor. [UC names tech, sports entrepreneur to lead $250 million investment fund: LA Biz]
announces guest curator series
The Santa Monica-based online art gallery announced a new addition to their site this week — exhibitions curated by artists, designers and "cultural tastemakers." The initial batch of curators include actors Dylan McDermott and Jamie Lee Curtis.
Littlstar and Legend VR team up for new Virtual Reality tools
Legend VR, a 3D special effects studio, and Littlstar, a VR content developer, announced a partnership this week to build production and post-production tools for VR creators. Financial details were not disclosed. [Legend VR, Littlstar Team On Virtual Reality Tools: SoCal Tech]
Toyota and Saatchi LA team up for #Selflessie campaign
In an effort to bring a philanthropic twist to Millennial photo sharing, the car producer and LA-based agency launched a campaign that gives $50 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America for every selfie hashtagged #Selflessie. [Give a holiday donation with a simple selfie: Toyota launches #Selflessie: Built In]
side-project, Shitty Listings, legitimizes
Started as a weekend project, Shitty Listings has shown a high level of success in its first few months, prompting its parent company Open Listings to revamp the site. Shitty Listings shows user's fixer-upper properties that would be normally hard to find on real estate sites. [Put your money where your mouth is: Get a taste of LA's new Shitty Listings: Built In]
Fundings of the week
, $60 million
Investors: London’s Sapinda Group, Sallfort Privatbank of Switzerland
Azubu is a live-streaming video game platform based in Sherman Oaks. Founded in 2011, Azubu garners 9 million unique visitors a month and the company has reported viewership growth at 1,200 percent in the past 12 months. [Video Game Startup Azubu Raises $60 Million: LA Business Journal]
, $7 million
Investors: Tonn Investments
The new LA-based startup OnCam is a video calling production company. The company, a product of Untitled Entertainment, is reportedly targeting celebrities such as actors, musicians and athletes to use the app to connect with their fans. [Oncam Raises $7M For Group Video Calling App For Celebrities: SoCal Tech]
