Comments on: Spot Runner Raises $51 Million To Expand To New Markets http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/ Startup and Technology News Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:07:54 -0800 hourly 1 By: Champion The Underdog http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/comment-page-1/#comment-2617676 Champion The Underdog Fri, 06 Feb 2009 03:27:22 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/#comment-2617676 I think Spotrunner is in real trouble now. Their layoffs were massive at approximately 200 and their investments, Weblistic and 60Frames, are also in trouble. Template ads are a fad. Custom ads from the original dotcom ad agency CheapTVSpots are superior and cost less in the long run because Cheap TV Spots does not add additional commissions to air time like Spotrunner does. What is Spotrunner worth today? My opinion is not much more than it's original round of venture from Index and Battery. So sad for their employees betting on stock options. Common sense would tell you that the client eventually figures out that template ads cost more because of all the big commissions that are added on to compensate for the artificially low production bait. Template ads wind up costing much more. Often many thousands more. Other template companies will likewise feel the bite of the informed advertising client. Blog hype can only keep them stupid for so long. I think Spotrunner is in real trouble now. Their layoffs were massive at approximately 200 and their investments, Weblistic and 60Frames, are also in trouble. Template ads are a fad. Custom ads from the original dotcom ad agency CheapTVSpots are superior and cost less in the long run because Cheap TV Spots does not add additional commissions to air time like Spotrunner does. What is Spotrunner worth today? My opinion is not much more than it’s original round of venture from Index and Battery. So sad for their employees betting on stock options. Common sense would tell you that the client eventually figures out that template ads cost more because of all the big commissions that are added on to compensate for the artificially low production bait. Template ads wind up costing much more. Often many thousands more. Other template companies will likewise feel the bite of the informed advertising client. Blog hype can only keep them stupid for so long.

]]> By: Update: 115 People Lose Their Jobs At Spot Runner, Weblistic Acquisition Is Washed Out http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/comment-page-1/#comment-2522606 Update: 115 People Lose Their Jobs At Spot Runner, Weblistic Acquisition Is Washed Out Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:35:06 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/#comment-2522606 [...] the bright side, Spot Runner still has plenty of cash in the bank, after raising $51 million last May. But rather than spend it on acquisitions or geographic expansion, it might simply turn [...] [...] the bright side, Spot Runner still has plenty of cash in the bank, after raising $51 million last May. But rather than spend it on acquisitions or geographic expansion, it might simply turn [...]

]]> By: TV Exec http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/comment-page-1/#comment-2521593 TV Exec Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:21:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/#comment-2521593 Nick is a con artist. Nick is a con artist.

]]> By: A Spot Of Trouble At Spot Runner - MyBlogChannel http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/comment-page-1/#comment-2520119 A Spot Of Trouble At Spot Runner - MyBlogChannel Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:57:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/#comment-2520119 [...] hotshot TV advertising startup Spot Runner. Despite having raised more than 1 million, half of that as recently as last May, the LA-based company may be in for a major round of layoffs next week following the election (and [...] [...] hotshot TV advertising startup Spot Runner. Despite having raised more than 1 million, half of that as recently as last May, the LA-based company may be in for a major round of layoffs next week following the election (and [...]

]]> By: A Spot Of Trouble At Spot Runner http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/comment-page-1/#comment-2520048 A Spot Of Trouble At Spot Runner Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:48:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/#comment-2520048 [...] Spot Runner. Even though the LA-based company has raised more than $111 million, half of that as recently as last May, Spot Runner may be in for a major round of layoffs next week following the election (and the [...] [...] Spot Runner. Even though the LA-based company has raised more than $111 million, half of that as recently as last May, Spot Runner may be in for a major round of layoffs next week following the election (and the [...]

]]> By: TV Ventures http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/comment-page-1/#comment-2283513 TV Ventures Thu, 08 May 2008 16:15:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/#comment-2283513 Realview TV - This interactive streaming video start-up in Atlanta raised 1M focused on SMB market - better opportunity for small companies to work out the kinks on branded advertising. Realview TV – This interactive streaming video start-up in Atlanta raised 1M focused on SMB market – better opportunity for small companies to work out the kinks on branded advertising.

]]> By: Don MacAskill http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/comment-page-1/#comment-2281273 Don MacAskill Wed, 07 May 2008 16:18:17 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/#comment-2281273 Crap, no wonder I'm never invited to Startup Club. I keep turning the money down! Crap, no wonder I’m never invited to Startup Club. I keep turning the money down!

]]> By: micfo.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/comment-page-1/#comment-2281071 micfo.com Wed, 07 May 2008 14:36:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/#comment-2281071 Actually the model of sportrunner is pretty nice that let people to advertise in very minimal budget, I hope Google may make this market more competitive but eventually the consumers would get benefited. Actually the model of sportrunner is pretty nice that let people to advertise in very minimal budget, I hope Google may make this market more competitive but eventually the consumers would get benefited.

]]> By: Kevin Stecko http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/comment-page-1/#comment-2280841 Kevin Stecko Wed, 07 May 2008 13:12:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/#comment-2280841 I think SpotRunner makes a ton of sense for a local business person (dentist, landscaper, home builder, etc.) who wants to spend $15,000 over the course of a year advertising in one market. But for web based companies I don't see a need for cable advertising. It's more expensive and harder to target than web advertising, and your call to action has to be good enough to get the viewer to get on their computer right now or remember your ad. We tried a campaign and got very little to show for it in the last quarter of 2007. I think SpotRunner makes a ton of sense for a local business person (dentist, landscaper, home builder, etc.) who wants to spend $15,000 over the course of a year advertising in one market. But for web based companies I don’t see a need for cable advertising. It’s more expensive and harder to target than web advertising, and your call to action has to be good enough to get the viewer to get on their computer right now or remember your ad.

We tried a campaign and got very little to show for it in the last quarter of 2007.

]]> By: jenkins http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/comment-page-1/#comment-2280576 jenkins Wed, 07 May 2008 10:49:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/#comment-2280576 I doubt these guys have big revenues. I'd love to hear from a former employee what's really going on with this company and these giant capital raises. Ad companies don't need to raise hundreds of millions of dollars unless their model is broken. I doubt these guys have big revenues. I’d love to hear from a former employee what’s really going on with this company and these giant capital raises. Ad companies don’t need to raise hundreds of millions of dollars unless their model is broken.

]]> By: YouYap.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/comment-page-1/#comment-2279921 YouYap.com Wed, 07 May 2008 07:29:11 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/#comment-2279921 very good for them very good for them

]]> By: Prashant http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/comment-page-1/#comment-2279570 Prashant Wed, 07 May 2008 06:09:49 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/#comment-2279570 this makes sense …spot runner is in direct competition with Echostar-Google Project of Adword for TV . this project’s success in doubtful (http://tinyurl.com/6z79qe) so its possible that investors are counting on a Google Video-YouTube or BillPoint-Paypal type of deal .with Allen & CO as investor this is not a far fetched possibility . MSFT don’t ahve a dog in this fight till now AoL guy can sell this to Cable guys of its parent company .so i think its a relatively safe bet. this makes sense …spot runner is in direct competition with Echostar-Google Project of Adword for TV . this project’s success in doubtful (http://tinyurl.com/6z79qe) so its possible that investors are counting on a Google Video-YouTube or BillPoint-Paypal type of deal .with Allen & CO as investor this is not a far fetched possibility .
MSFT don’t ahve a dog in this fight till now
AoL guy can sell this to Cable guys of its parent company .so i think its a relatively safe bet.

]]> By: UtahLuxury.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/comment-page-1/#comment-2279485 UtahLuxury.com Wed, 07 May 2008 05:50:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/#comment-2279485 I agree, I am surprised that Google hasn't sought interest in the company placing ads across traditional media like TV. I am sure that the value is there. Although I cant yet afford to advertise on Spot Runner it is a great launching point for many small to medium sized businesses. Congrats anyways guys! Dan www.UtahLuxury.com I agree, I am surprised that Google hasn’t sought interest in the company placing ads across traditional media like TV. I am sure that the value is there. Although I cant yet afford to advertise on Spot Runner it is a great launching point for many small to medium sized businesses. Congrats anyways guys!

Dan
http://www.UtahLuxury.com

]]> By: Alex http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/comment-page-1/#comment-2279270 Alex Wed, 07 May 2008 04:55:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/#comment-2279270 Goof said ...."he laughed and confirmed that it was higher" Jesus! valuations by desperate old media companies continue to inflate the bubble. I just don't think that SpotRunner is doing $50M in revenues to deserve a 10x multiple. Goof said ….”he laughed and confirmed that it was higher”

Jesus! valuations by desperate old media companies continue to inflate the bubble. I just don’t think that SpotRunner is doing $50M in revenues to deserve a 10x multiple.

]]> By: Jen http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/comment-page-1/#comment-2279186 Jen Wed, 07 May 2008 04:31:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/#comment-2279186 Congrats to SpotRunner. But I thought conventional wisdom was that GOOG would buy them. At $500 mil valuation, I guess that might make it a little more difficult to exit (or I guess it could mean GOOG -- or MSFT-- is one of the only ones who can now afford them). Congrats to SpotRunner. But I thought conventional wisdom was that GOOG would buy them. At $500 mil valuation, I guess that might make it a little more difficult to exit (or I guess it could mean GOOG — or MSFT– is one of the only ones who can now afford them).

]]> By: Aidan Henry http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/comment-page-1/#comment-2279124 Aidan Henry Wed, 07 May 2008 04:12:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/#comment-2279124 Wow, I thought this was a fly-by-night idea when it first launched, but it's really come a long way. Congrats to the guys at Spot Runner for brilliant execution. Cheers, Aidan www.MappingTheWeb.com Wow, I thought this was a fly-by-night idea when it first launched, but it’s really come a long way. Congrats to the guys at Spot Runner for brilliant execution.

Cheers,
Aidan
http://www.MappingTheWeb.com

]]> By: YES http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/comment-page-1/#comment-2279099 YES Wed, 07 May 2008 04:05:17 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/spot-runner-raises-51-million-to-expand-to-new-markets/#comment-2279099 Nick Grouf is a smart man. Nick Grouf is a smart man.

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