NYConvergence - A digest of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut media and technology news

Appssavvy Integrates Lexus Content with NBC's ICue

Beginning today, the NYC-based company has arranged for Lexus to share its three, low-emission hybrid vehicles with NBC News' iCue consumers through the "Innovation & Technology" and "In The News " content available as part of the iCue Facebook application according to a press release we received.  appssavvy is a direct sales team for social media applications and the exclusive advertising partner for NBC News' iCue.  The Facebook application is available here.

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> Q&A: Chris Cunningham, appssavvy

Gannett Acquires Ripple6

NYConvergence ORIGINAL

We spoke with Ripple6's Director of Marketing Chris Kieff this morning about the acquisition of the NYC-based social-media services provider following his post on Twitter about it.  The company will become a wholly-owned subisidiary of Gannett, much like PointRoll, the advertising network, which was acquired in March 2008.  Terms were not disclosed.

Ripple6 earlier built the MomsLikeMe.com network for Gannett, a network of 80 Web sites with more than 100,000 users in numerous local markets.  paidContent speculates that Gannett hopes to bring in revenue and expand relationships with Ripple6 clients like Procter & Gamble.

paidContent.org

Barnes and Noble Launches Social Network

New York-based retailer Barnes and Noble has started My B&N, a social network that allows users to connect to others about their favorite books, movies and music. The new feature, which is accessible through the current Barnes and Noble site, can be integrated with popular social networks like Facebook and Digg.

According to Crain's, My B&N already has tens of thousands of users.

Crain's New York Business (Subscription required)

Low Initial Costs Feed Silicon Alley's Success

Technology entrepreneurs and venture capitalists in New York City are not being phased as much by the meltdown on Wall Street because the lessons of the earlier dot com crash and advancements within technology are allowing companies to start up with significantly less funding. A decade ago, $3 - $4 million might have been needed to start an online business whereas now, just $400,000 - $800,000 might be enough to get your business off the ground.

Still, investors are urging business-owners to be wise with the money they receive and spend. According to the Dow Jones VentureSource, investment in 3Q of this year is down 7% from last year and is being distributed among 20% fewer companies.

TheDeal.com

Voters Plan to Stay Informed through Twitter

During tomorrow's election, long lines and machine glitches might be reported first by New Yorkers through the microblogging Web site Twitter, which launched the Twitter Vote Report initiative along with techPresident.com. The project aims to inform voters of wait times and other voting issues through the Internet and text messages. 

Metro NY

Martha Stewart Living Likes E-vites, Not Social Nets

Keeping Nickels' Nichelle Stephens spoke with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia's Co-CEO Wenda Harris Millard at ContentNext's EconWomen conference in NYC following her announcement about the company's investment in and partnership with NY-based Pingg.  As we noted in a previous post, the company will be including Martha Stewart-related content into Pingg and add Pingg functionality to the Web site, but interestingly, Millard told Stephens that there were no plans for any additional social networking features.  She said that "social networks like Facebook are not Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia's audience" and besides, "social networks don't make money."

Keeping Nickels

Kiwibox Partners with Burst Media

NYC-based teen social network and online magazine Kiwibox has partnered with Burst Media to launch the Kiwibox Teen Network, a teen-targeted ad network. Publishers within the network will be able to share content, ideas, tools, partnerships and marketing opportunities through the Internet and mobile.

MediaPost's Online Media Daily

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> Q&A: Lin Dai, Kiwibox

iTeach iLearn Brings Web 2.0 Skills to the Classroom

Twenty-four New York City public schools are taking part in the City's pilot program iTeach iLearn that promotes "Learning 2.0," which incorporates social networking, blogs and other technologies to teaching. Students in these schools are each equipped with a lap top and teachers are instructing on smart boards.

The New York City Department of Education is planning to take the initiative citywide. iLead, a training program for principals, currently has 300 members.

The Village Voice

Facebook Success Drives Developers' Businesses

Several New York-based developers' businesses have thrived from successful applications they have created for Facebook.

• Buddy Media: Social networking applications for brands like Reebok and FedEx allowed it to secure $8.5 million in funding from the likes of PayPal's Peter Thiel and grow to 30 employees.
• FamilyBuilder Inc.: Raised $1.5 million for family tree Facebook application in June '07 and has built enough momentum to launch its own Web site.
• Dank Apps: Developer of popular Facebook game The Lotto, is in the process of being sold for an undisclosed sum.
• Esgut: Developer of several Facebook games, was sold for over $1 million to Social Gaming Network.

Crain's New York Business (Subscription required)

Q&A: Lin Dai, Kiwibox

NYConvergence ORIGINAL

We introduced you to new-parent focused Baveo earlier so we thought for this week's Q&A we would speak with Lin Dai, CEO of teen-focused Kiwibox.com.  Only a few weeks ago, Kiwibox launched its site's latest version Kiwibox 2.0.   

Q: When was Kiwibox founded?  Where in the NYC is it based?  Why here?
Kiwibox was founded in 1999 as an online magazine and social network for teens. Kiwibox is located in midtown Manhattan, on W. 38th St. Kiwibox chose to base ourselves in Manhattan in order to keep our finger on the pulse of what’s hot in the world of entertainment, music, and fashion- the core tenets of Kiwibox and the trends that teens are interested in the most.

Q: How was Kiwibox changed since then?  Audience?  Number of employees?
Kiwibox has recently revamped our platform with increased functionality for users, including improved profile features, social networking capabilities, and organization of content in order to make the site more accessible and easier-to-use for all members. The site has nearly two million teen members, who are able to actively contribute content to the site and have access to features like games, contests, and exclusive celebrity video interviews.  Kiwibox has 14 employees, and over 20,000 teen contributors from across the world.

Q: Where do most of your users live?
Kiwibox has members from all over the world, however the majority come from North America

Q: How has your ad revenue been faring so far?  Do you have any other revenues from sources other than advertising?
Kiwibox.com has supported itself fully on advertising revenues since 1999 until merging with Magnitude Information Systems in August 2007. Kiwibox’s unique combination of content-meets-social networking, and the "online magazine" weekly publishing format makes us extremely attractive to advertisers and brands looking to reach teens. For example, Kohls and Kmart both sponsored out “Back To School” issue this year.

The company has recently received $1 million in private funding to enhance our marketing initiatives, which will be used to drive more members to the site and increase user engagement across the platform.