New York, September 24, 2012 – DEV (Digital Entertainment Ventures) announces the addition of Val Katayev and John Ason as Advisors to its early stage media and entertainment fund. In this role, they will participate in assessing prospective portfolio company opportunities and building DEV’s overall business.

“Val and John will add investment savvy and hands-on operational experience to the DEV team,” said DEV Managing Director Alan McGlade. “Their extensive network of contacts will further establish DEV as a growing force in New York’s blossoming digital media and entertainment industry.”

Val Katayev is a digital pioneer and entrepreneur, who has created and led three successful start-up companies to hyper-growth. At just 30 years old, Katayev currently oversees a portfolio that reaches over 300 million consumers, centered around entertainment and music. His fourth and most recent company is ToneMedia, which focuses specifically on the evolving music content space and meaningful consumer engagements, and for which he is the creator of patent pending ToneTargeting. Reaching over 120 million visitors globally, and 55 million in the United States, ToneMedia is the leader in audience targeting and premium media distribution among music enthusiasts around the world.

John Ason has been an angel investor in the New York area for the past 15 years. He has made over 40 professional investments in an eclectic range of industries. For many of these, he has been the lead investor.  Prior to investing, Ason worked for over 25 years at AT&T, both in engineering and international business. He has travelled extensively to the Far East and worked on “bleeding edge” technology- something he found to be useful when he transitioned into angel investing.

About DEV (Digital Entertainment Ventures)

DEV provides guidance, seed and early stage capital to companies building the next generation of digital services that are transforming media and entertainment. DEV is managed by seasoned media and venture executives Alan McGlade and Michael Yang, and its initial investments include Open Air Publishing, Stageit, Mad Humans and Sonic Notify.  It is headquartered in New York City.  Visit DEV on the web at www.devny.vc. 

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(Source: businesswire.ca)

New iOS and Android Game Lets Players Lob Tomatoes at Leading Politicians

NEW YORK, Sept 20, 2012 – The election cycle is ever-more maddening each year - is there any way to find relief?  Yes — thanks to the launch of “Mad Humans Election 2012,” voters can vent their frustrations in this mobile game by (virtually) pummeling the candidates of their choice. There is nothing like the splat of a tomato, the thud of a cabbage, or the whiz of a pizza crust to improve one’s mood.

Animated versions of Vice President Joe Biden, President Barack Obama, Governor Mitt Romney and former presidential candidate Donald Trump (Paul Ryan and others coming soon) spout their best gaffes while their minions defend them from the vegetable onslaught. But watch out for Trump’s fire breath, Biden’s golden train ticket punch, Romney’s corporate tax shields, and Obama’s “secret ally” Red Mao.  When players are done racking up points by knocking out their chosen characters, they can share their scores to their Facebook wall. A leader board will track overall Democrat vs. Republican performance.

Mad Humans Election 2012 is now available on iTunes and Google Play. See the trailer on YouTube.  For access to broadcast quality video and additional downloadable assets please visit: http://pointmedia.com/MNR/MadHumans.  Additional screenshots are available at jaybirdcom.com/madhumans.

“Pulling the voting lever is only so satisfying. Sometimes, it takes a rotten tomato to say what you really feel,” said Alan McGlade, managing director of DEV (Digital Entertainment Ventures), who conceived the idea for Mad Humans. “Mad Humans Election 2012 is an outlet for everyone who doesn’t have their own super PAC.  And we promise not to miscount anyone’s score,” he added.

The Biden and Trump characters are free; additional characters are 99¢.  Mad Humans was incubated by DEV and developed by Sideline Amusements, an affiliate of GPC Games.  For more information, visit www.madhumans.com.

  About DEV (Digital Entertainment Ventures)

DEV (Digital Entertainment Ventures) provides guidance, seed and early stage capital to companies building the next generation of digital services that are transforming media and entertainment. DEV is managed by seasoned media and venture executives Alan McGlade and Michael Yang, and its investments include Stageit, Mad Humans, Open Air Publishing and Sonic Notify.  It is headquartered in New York City.  Visit DEV on the web at www.devny.vc.

 About Sideline Amusements

Sideline Amusements is a mobile game developer affiliated with Galaxy Pest Control, a veteran game studio with multiple hit titles.  Sideline was founded to create fun and meaningful gameplay experiences for the casual audience.  The studio’s first release, Mad Humans, interjects humor and fun into the otherwise frustrating monotony of American politics by allowing players to throw tomatoes, cabbage, and pizza at their favorite (or least favorite) politicians. With a focus on high quality production and addicting gameplay, Sideline Amusements aims to provide players with unique experiences that stand out from the crowd.

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(Source: businesswire.com)

Groundbreaking new platform delivers content to smart devices using sound waves

NEW YORK, July 16, 2012 – DEV (Digital Entertainment Ventures), an early stage capital firm focused on the next generation of NYC-based digital media and entertainment companies, today announced an investment in Sonic Notify, a pioneering new platform that automatically delivers content to smart devices using imperceptible sound waves.  DEV is joined in the Series A financing round by Raptor Ventures, A-Grade Investments, Advancit Capital, AngelVision Investors, Eniac Investors and The Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency.  Raptor Ventures led the round, which totals $4.25 million.

The Sonic Notify platform enables live event producers and performers, retailers, and television broadcasters to deliver exclusive media content to smart devices at concerts, sports events, in stores, as second screen experiences, and more.  The technology can be integrated into third party apps, and content delivery is triggered by an audio code transmitted through any speaker.  Consumers can receive content passively without interrupting their viewing or shopping experience.  For example, Interscope recording artists Mindless Behavior used Sonic Notify at a recent New York City concert to trigger audience notifications within their app for exclusive content and special merchandise offers.

“Whether they’re watching TV or experiencing a live event, consumers are increasingly using mobile devices to complement their entertainment experiences,” said Alan McGlade, DEV Managing Director.  “Sonic Notify co-founders Jonathan Glanz and Alex Bell have developed a truly innovative technology that triggers consumer interactivity without requiring them to take a specific action such as clicking on an app when a logo is displayed in a commercial. Sonic Notify is exactly the kind of transformational company in media and entertainment that DEV is seeking to work with.”

About DEV (Digital Entertainment Ventures)

DEV provides guidance, seed and early stage capital to companies building the next generation of digital services that are transforming media and entertainment. DEV is managed by seasoned media and venture executives Alan McGlade and Michael Yang, and its initial investments include Open Air Publishing, Stageit, Mad Humans and others to be announced soon.  It is headquartered in New York City.  Visit DEV on the web at www.devny.vc. 

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Innovative Digital Publisher Creates Ebooks for iOS with Video, SlideShows

NEW YORK, July 12, 2012 – DEV (Digital Entertainment Ventures), an early stage capital firm focused on the next generation of NYC-based digital media and entertainment companies, today announced an investment in Open Air Publishing, a digital publisher that builds interactive how-to books native to iPads and iPhones, each featuring video, slideshows, and other highly tappable content.  DEV’s investment is part of an $800,000 seed round including SV Angel, Charles River Ventures, and 500 Startups.

Open Air Publishing has released four titles to date for iPad: Master Your DSLR Camera, Speakeasy Cocktails, The Better Bacon Book, and Holiday Recipes & Party Planning Guide by FOOD52. Each one has been a best seller on iTunes.  As of today, all four titles are available on the iPhone as well.

“Most ebooks that are available now are simply digitized print books that do not make optimal use of a tablet’s features,” said Alan McGlade, DEV Managing Director.  “Open Air Publishing is creating content specifically designed for the medium.  More an app than an ebook, their titles come alive to inform and entertain their audience.  We’re looking forward to working with Founder and CEO Jon Feldman and his team to build the kind of business that’s transforming the publishing industry.”

About DEV (Digital Entertainment Ventures)

DEV provides guidance, seed and early stage capital to companies building the next generation of digital services that are transforming media and entertainment. DEV is managed by seasoned media and venture executives Alan McGlade and Michael Yang, and its initial investments include Stageit, Mad Humans and others to be announced soon.  It is headquartered in New York City.  Visit DEV on the web at www.devny.vc. 

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Clients include iJukebox, Talking Media Group, and More

 NEW YORK, May 14, 2012 – DEV (Digital Entertainment Ventures) announces the formation of DEV Advisors, an affiliate which will offer consulting and advisory services to digital media companies.  Seasoned digital entertainment executive Dick Wingate joins the firm as Principal. 

DEV Advisors clients already include iJukebox, an interactive music streaming service that lets users choose the music at businesses everywhere; Talking Media Group, a database for buyers and sellers of digital media, publishing and entertainment; Elements, a resource for Brazilians who travel and live part time in South Florida; Alluring Logic, a cloud-based solution that helps retailers develop strong client relationships; and imbookin, an online distribution channel for venues to effectively list and market their availability.

“A recent study confirmed that the tech industry is growing faster in New York City than anywhere else in the country,” said DEV Managing Director Alan McGlade.  “DEV Advisors fills a need for digital media companies that need access to professionals with high level experience in digital business strategy, content acquisition and licensing, and market and product development.  We have a terrific network of Advisors, and I can’t think of anyone better qualified to play a Principal role than Dick Wingate.” 

Wingate’s career spans more than three decades in music and interactive media.  He recently served as General Manager, East Coast Business Development for TAG Strategic, a digital entertainment consultancy, providing business development, content licensing, strategic partner and distribution strategy.  Prior to TAG, Wingate was President, Media Development & Chief Content Officer for Nellymoser Inc., one of the earliest providers of rich media mobile applications.  Wingate helped pioneer the digital music business during his years as SVP, Content Development, at Liquid Audio, Inc., which created the first end-to-end secure digital music platform.  He has also held senior positions at several major record labels including Arista, Polygram, Epic and Columbia.

The DEV Advisors team also includes Stephen Bradley, Managing Partner of Farmingville Capital; Val Katayev, Founder and CEO of ToneMedia, a music marketing platform; Henry Leong, Managing Director of Vietbridge LLC, a boutique firm that specializes in raising capital and sourcing joint ventures in the Asia-Pacific region; and Sandbox Strategies, a boutique firm focused on media strategy for videogames and tech.

About DEV Advisors

DEV Advisors is a consulting firm and affiliate of New York-based DEV (Digital Entertainment Ventures). The firm is comprised of accomplished media executives with deep experience in building, distributing and generating revenue streams for emerging digital media businesses.  DEV Advisors acts as a bridge between the technology and entertainment industries — providing digital business strategy, content acquisition and licensing, access to key relationships, market and product development, and more.

About DEV (Digital Entertainment Ventures)

DEV provides guidance, seed and early stage capital to companies building the next generation of digital services that are transforming media and entertainment. DEV is managed by seasoned media and venture executives Alan McGlade and Michael Yang, and its initial investments include Stageit, Mad Humans and others to be announced soon.  It is headquartered in New York City.  Visit DEV on the web at www.devny.vc. 

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(Source: businesswire.com)

Initial Investments in Stageit and Mad Humans

NEW YORK, May 2, 2012 – Longtime digital media executive Alan McGlade, along with partner, venture capitalist and attorney Michael Yang, today announced the launch of DEV (Digital Entertainment Ventures), a New York-based firm that will provide early stage capital and management counsel to the next generation of digital media companies.  DEV’s fund has made initial investments in several companies including web-based live music platform Stageit and mobile gaming company Mad Humans.

DEV will continue to build its portfolio with nascent companies focused on music, TV, film, games, publishing and social media that are based on new business models and devices such as internet-enabled TVs, tablets and handsets.  In some cases, DEV will develop and incubate businesses based on identified marketplace needs. And in addition to providing capital, DEV will take an active role in its portfolio companies, providing them with domain expertise and strategic relationships to take them to the next level.

DEV Managing Director McGlade has more than two decades of experience in taking companies from the conceptual stage to becoming significant market players. He was formerly CEO of MediaNet, a pioneer in providing legal digital music downloads, and of Video Jukebox Network (The Box), which he sold to MTV in 2001.  Yang, also Managing Director, is a senior venture/ funds attorney.  He was previously a venture capitalist for Divine Interventures and Sandbox Industries, and before that, was the co-founder and CTO of enterprise software company Redmind, Inc.

“The media industry is undergoing the most profound transformation in our history,” said McGlade.  “New York City, with its established media businesses, talent and burgeoning startup ecosystem, has all the right elements for these game-changing companies to emerge.  DEV will play a significant role in helping digital media start-ups succeed, not only with early stage investments but also by providing a leg up from our team’s collective experience and relationships.”

DEV offers investors the opportunity to participate in promising new companies vetted by its experienced team of entrepreneurs, investors and managers of media and entertainment ventures.   Its first portfolio investments show the diversity of its investment philosophy and approach.  Two of these companies include:

·         Stageit - A web-based platform created for musicians by musicians that empowers them to deliver and monetize interactive live experiences directly from their laptop. Offering intimacy and direct interaction with fans, Stageit gives artists the opportunity to offer unique online fan experiences that will not be archived or duplicated for distribution. Stageit was launched in March 2011 by CEO and music industry veteran Evan Lowenstein, who has nearly 20 years of experience as a recording artist, award-winning writer and executive. 

·         Mad Humans - A suite of mobile games that tap the American zeitgeist. It pits players against comically hostile celebrity humans and their minions from the worlds of politics and entertainment in easy to use, non-lethal shooting games.  Incubated by DEV, Mad Humans ELECTION 2012 is being introduced soon.

For more information about DEV, visit devny.vc.

About DEV (Digital Entertainment Ventures)

DEV (Digital Entertainment Ventures) provides guidance, seed and early stage capital to companies building the next generation of digital services that are transforming media and entertainment. DEV is managed by seasoned media and venture executives Alan McGlade and Michael Yang, and its initial investments include Stageit and Mad Humans.  It is headquartered in New York City.  Visit DEV on the web at devny.vc. 

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CONTACT:

Cathy Halgas Nevins

chnevins@devny.vc

917-887-4140

Laurie Jakobsen

ljakobsen@devny.vc

646-484-6764