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Tinder taps ephemeral messaging market with Tappy acquisition
Tinder bought fellow Los Angeles startup Tappy for an undisclosed amount. Tappy is a disappearing message and photo app similar to Snapchat. CEO Sean Rad said of purchase: “we want to broaden the reasons for connecting in the first place. The Tappy team will help us tackle both fronts, the pre-match experience of creating that first connection and the post-match experience of communicating with that person." Tappy’s features might fit in well amongst “Tinder Moments.” [Tinder taps ephemeral messaging market with Tappy acquisition: The Verge]
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Maker Studios Looks Beyond YouTube As It Announces Exclusive Content Deal With Vimeo
The YouTube MCN breakout has begun. Disney company Maker Studios has just struck a deal with Vimeo to host new shows for an exclusive time period. Vimeo's success with “sci-fi/fantasy, action sports, lifestyle, instruction” videos is aligned with success Maker has had on other platforms. Parent company Disney has been eying more direct relationships with customers via other platforms. Recently it was announced that Maker was one of the offerings on Dish Networks lean premium television package called Sling TV. [Maker Studios Looks Beyond YouTube As It Announces Exclusive Content Deal With Vimeo: TechCrunch]
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Pictured above: Sheree Waterson(left) and Sophia Amoruso(right)
Nasty Gal Founder Hands Over CEO Role at Cutting-Edge Online Fashion Retailer
Nasty Gal founder and #GirlBoss author Sophia Amoruso is stepping down as CEO, nine years after she started her online fashion startup as a small eBay business. Sheree Waterson, who was the company’s president, will become CEO and will join the board. According to Amoruso the move was planned a year ago when Waterson was hired. Former CEO Amoruso will remain on staff to lead creative and brand marketing teams. In the last year Nasty Gal has been searching ways to recapture growth, including physical locations. Its first store opened on Melrose Avenue in November. [Nasty Gal Founder Hands Over CEO Role at Cutting-Edge Online Fashion Retailer: Re/code]
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Kabam expands into L.A. by snapping up two local studios
Mobile gaming company Kabram is expanding into Los Angeles after buying gaming studios TapZen and Magic Pixel Games for an undisclosed amount. LA-based TapZen and Magic Pixel Games made “This Means War,” together and will now work to expand Kabram’s lineup of games. Recently, Kabram has been focusing on making companion games for major Hollywood blockbusters like The Hunger Games and The Hobbit. Having a gaming development team based in Los Angeles should help them expand that line of business further. The acquisition of these two Los Angeles companies brings the number of studios Kabam has acquired since 2010 to nine. [Kabam expands into L.A. by snapping up two local studios: Gamasutra]
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