[August 31, 2015] |
|
NAB Labs Invests in Online Engagement Platform
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) today announced that its
technology division, NAB
Labs, has participated in a Series Seed financing of Antenna (www.antenna.is),
a startup technology company that has built and launched an online
engagement platform that enables users to react to and interact with
mobile and web content, and whose equity round of financing was led by
IDEA Fund Partners.
The Antenna platform also measures audience sentiment from these
reactions, including responses to news and entertainment content, in a
matter of seconds. Antenna provides a means for media companies and
retailers to determine what online content is resonating with audiences
by enabling users to quickly and easily react to various forms of mobile
and web content, including video, images and text.
Created in 2012, NAB Labs is an NAB initiative designed to foster
innovation and continue to propel broadcast television and radio into
the future. As part of this effort, NAB Labs undertakes projects and
makes investments to facilitate the development and commercialization of
new technologies that have the potential to advance broadcasting in the
digitalage.
"We see a lot of promise in this early stage company," said NAB Chief
Technology Officer Sam Matheny. "Our members are vital parts of their
respective communities and the Antenna platform is an elegant solution
that enables mobile and web visitors to pick the exact text, image or
video they want to react to and to offer real feedback - much more than
just a 'like' or a 'heart' - without all of the management overhead that
comes with cumbersome commenting systems. Antenna is quick and easy for
the user and provides an excellent opportunity to grow engagement, build
community and expand revenue options."
Antenna is a free engagement tool that boosts website metrics and builds
community. Publishers who use Antenna have reported as much as 50 times
more engagement by mobile device users compared to typical comment
threads. Antenna also offers an upgraded service that enables the
sharing of content based on engagement and user feedback versus page
views and clicks.
"Media companies want to know what their audiences care about and why,"
said Porter Bayne, Antenna co-founder and CEO. "They love the
engagement, but often need help managing the interface and monitoring
and interpreting reactions. That's where we come in."
So far, 55 publishers are using the free Antenna platform. They include
high-profile sites like Perez Hilton, Dlisted and Okay Player. Other
investors in Antenna include Geoff Judge, iNovia Capital (News - Alert) partner and
co-founder of 24/7 Real Media; Horan MediaTech Advisors; IDEA Fund
Partners, a North Carolina-based seed stage fund; and The Startup
Factory.
About NAB Labs
Created in 2012, NAB Labs is a program of the National Association of
Broadcasters that provides a platform for innovation, a venue for
forging partnerships and testing new technology, and educational events
to create awareness about over-the-air radio and television technology
initiatives. Learn more at www.nablabs.org.
About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy
association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and
television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs.
Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to
best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new
opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150831005935/en/
[ Back To Mobile World Congress's Homepage ]
|