Broadcastr Wins Audience Vote at the "Next Big Thing"
Location-based audio start-up voted most attractive company for investment at inaugural Next Big Thing event, presented by The Paley Center for Media
New York, NY – At the inaugural Next Big Thing event at The Paley Center for Media last Thursday, location-based audio start-up Broadcastr was the audience favorite.
The Brooklyn-based tech company, which allows users to record and share audio content on an interactive map, was voted “Most Attractive for Investment” by a select audience of established industry leaders and investors. The vote added an element of friendly competition to the event, kicking off a new quarterly series showcasing media innovators and disruptors.
“We were excited to discuss ideas with other start-ups and leaders in the field,” said Broadcastr co-founder Scott Lindenbaum, a former sponsored snowboarder, ”The start-up space is competitive, like snowboarding, and you want to be successful. But it’s also about seeing what’s possible, and advancing the community as a whole.”
The four participating companies, chosen by an advisory board for the Paley Center, were given five minutes each to pitch their businesses to invited media pillars and investors. The companies GoldRun, Honestly Now, and Interlude also presented. In the spirit of crowd sourcing, audience members were invited to text in votes for which company they would invest in, if given the opportunity.
“As the premier forum for the media industry, the Paley Center launched the Next Big Thing series to showcase innovative ideas and technologies,” said J. Max Robins, Vice President and Executive Director of Industry Programs at the Paley Center. “Our thanks to Broadcastr for presenting and helping to make last week’s launch event such a success.”
Scott Kurnit, Founder, Chairman and CEO of AdKeeper, serves on the Next Big Thing Advisory Board with Tim Hanlon, Clay Shirky, Yossi Vardi, Fred Wilson and others. Mr. Kurnit was Master of Ceremonies for the event; after each pitch, he asked in-depth questions of the entrepreneurs and moderated an audience Q&A about the future of new media and the place of these companies in the market.
During the discussion, Broadcastr co-founder Andy Hunter explained that audio is an intimate and non-intimidating medium for users, and that Broadcastr’s sophisticated map interface and search mechanism lets users curate what they want to hear.
Mr. Hunter also said that Broadcastr bucks the trend of disposable social media, creating a rich archive of history and personal experience that will allow communities to engage with each other and the world more deeply.
“Broadcastr has strong potential for all types of media organizations,” says Mr. Hunter, “I'm so glad that the audience saw the possibilities Broadcastr holds for the industry.”
Video of the entire Next Big Thing event is available on the Paley Center’s Web site: http://www.paleycenter.org/nbt-videos-photos
Contact:
Kate Petty
202-306-7979
About Broadcastr
Broadcastr is a social-media platform for location-based audio. A free application available on the Web, iPhone and Android, Broadcastr lets users record and share audio on an interactive map.
Broadcastr adds a digital layer of living history to the world around us. It allows people to easily create and upload recordings and then pin them to specific locations in the world. Anyone can hear the audio on the Web site, or listen to an automatic stream while taking a walk using the Geoplay feature of the mobile app.
Broadcastr is currently in private beta. The public beta will launch in Spring, 2011. Members of the media may contact press@broadcastr.com for earlier access.
twitter: @broadcastr
Web: www.broadcastr.com
About The Paley Center for Media
The Paley Center for Media, with locations in New York City and Los Angeles, leads the discussion about the cultural, creative, and social significance of television, radio, and emerging platforms for the professional community and media-interested public. Through the global programs of its Media Council and International Council, the Paley Center serves as a neutral setting where media professionals can engage in discussion and debate about the evolving media landscape. The Paley Center was founded in 1976 by William S. Paley, a pioneering innovator in the industry.
For more information, visit www.PaleyCenter.org.
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