Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Broadband National Adds One-Hundredth Employee

Company Seeking 15 Additional Full Time Employees

Broadband National one of Florida's fastest growing companies has hired its one-hundredth full time employee. The company is actively seeking an additional 15 new employees to help manage its fast paced growth. Positions are available in sales, information technology, business development, management and administration.

“We’re always on the look out for talented people,” states Vinny Olmstead, President and CEO of Broadband National, “we’re excited to see new technology companies moving to the area and hope they will help attract the types of quality employees that we’re seeking.” HR Consultant Nina Blaicher goes on to state, “Broadband National searches for the best talent in the area. We offer a dynamic, fast-paced and fun environment with lots of growth and career development. Our employees need to be quick on their feet, smart and creative thinking. We know that our standards are high, but we also that know our company is a rare find and a very cool place to work, so we are willing to hold out for that perfect fit.”

Broadband National with offices in Vero Beach and Orlando Florida is the leading comparative shopping service for broadband and VoIP services to consumers and businesses nationwide. Broadband National’s proprietary software - the Integrated Broadband Information System (“IBIS 3.0”) - allows customers objective carrier comparisons including service offers, product offers, and guaranteed lowest pricing. A partnership with more than 50 companies such as AT&T, Qwest, Time Warner, Comcast, Covad, and Verizon ensures a comprehensive customer solution. Broadband National also licenses the IBIS 3.0 system to more than 1,500 companies such as retailers, VoIP suppliers, online marketers, and integrators allowing the same robust experience, while monetizing their customer base.

Broadband National’s IBIS platform is the leading consumer and commercial broadband aggregation platform. For more information on platform use, business development and strategic partnerships, please visit www.broadbandnational.com. For Broadband National press inquiries, please contact Mark Ballard at 772-539-0618 or email markb@broadbandnational.com

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Broadband National Offers New Lead Generation Marketing Program For Internet Users

“Broadband Dance” lead generation program is the first of its kind for personal web pages and blogs.


Broadband National today announced the adoption of a multi-dimensional marketing program for the promotion of high-speed Internet connectivity. The program titled “Broadband Dance” allows users to easily promote and sell the services of over 50 Internet and telecom suppliers such Qwest, AT&T, Comcast, Sprint, Verizon, TimeWarner and others. It also affords them the opportunity to cross promote the services with other Internet users increasing their exposure expediently.

“This is the first time anyone has made this type of marketing program available to the general public for use on their blogs and personal web pages,” states Mark Weibel, Broadband National’s Executive VP of Marketing. “ By following three simple steps, anyone with basic Internet experience can take advantage of this exciting new program and can start making money instantly.” The technology for “Broadband Dance” is based on the company’s proprietary software known as the Integrated Broadband Information System or “IBIS”. Terence Channon, Sr., Director of Web Initiatives, states, “The beauty of the product is that there’s very little for the user to do; we take care of basically everything from accounting to book keeping and all backend software support. They just need to copy a few lines of HTML code and paste it into their personal web page. They can also post it into bulletins, messages, or as a blog entry for promotion to their friends.” Users of the program are paid for leads generated and a residual override on leads generated by users they have recruited to the program. For more information, and to sign up visit www.broadbanddance.com

Broadband National is the leading comparative shopping service for broadband services and products to consumers and businesses nationwide. Broadband National’s proprietary software - the Integrated Broadband Information System (“IBIS 3.0”) - enables customers to make objective comparisons of service and product offerings through back-end integration with 50 strategic partners, including AT&T, Sprint, Qwest, Time Warner, Comcast, and Verizon.

For more information on platform use, business development and strategic partnerships, please visit www.broadbandnational.com. For Broadband National press or investor relations inquiries, please contact Mark Ballard at 772-539-0618 or email mark.ballard@broadbandnational.com.

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Broadband National Promotes Vinny Olmstead to CEO

Company President Promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer

VERO BEACH, Fla., May 2
Broadband National today announced the promotion of company President Vinny Olmstead to President and Chief Executive Officer. Since being recruited in 2003 by company founders AJ Koontz III and Mark Weibel, Olmstead has overseen the day-to-day operations of one of the industry's fastest-growing online companies, increasing revenue by a factor of 16 and driving the company to profitability in the first quarter of 2006. "We have had great success due to our business model and strong management team, and I appreciate the Board of Directors' confidence resulting in this promotion," said Olmstead.

In addition to growing the business, Olmstead led the company's efforts to secure private equity funding by Constellation Ventures, a Bear Stearns Asset Management Venture Capital Fund in December of 2005. "Vinny has utilized his past experience to successfully guide this company through a tremendous growth phase," stated Ray Oglethorpe, Chairman of the Board of Broadband National. "For the previous 10 quarters, the company has exceeded its financial expectations and we're confident with Vinny's guidance that we will continue to see strong financial results and sustained growth for years to come."

Broadband National is the leading comparative shopping service for broadband services and products to consumers and businesses nationwide. Broadband National's proprietary software -- the Integrated Broadband Information System ("IBIS 3.0") -- enables customers to make objective comparisons of service and product offerings through back end integration with 50 strategic partners, including AT&T, Sprint, Qwest, Time Warner, Comcast, and Verizon. Broadband National also licenses the IBIS 3.0 system to more than 1,500 companies such as national retailers, VoIP suppliers, online marketers, and integrators allowing the same robust experience, while monetizing their customer base.

For more information on platform use, business development and strategic partnerships, please visit http://www.broadbandnational.com . For Broadband National press or investor relations inquiries, please contact Mark Ballard at 772-539-0618 or email mark.ballard@broadbandnational.com .

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

BigBand Networks is Awarded First US Patent for Dynamic Provisioning of Digital Media Streams



Tuesday April 4, 8:30 am ET
Innovative technologies provide foundation for widespread industry collaboration onswitched broadcast, enabling bandwidth reclamation and advanced functionality

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 4 /PRNewswire/ -- BigBand Networks, Inc., a leading provider of broadband multimedia infrastructure for video, voice and data, today announced it has been awarded US Patent No. 6,999,477. This is for the method and system of selecting media streams from multiple sources, and dynamically provisioning them to particular groups of subscribers. The practice is fundamental to the expanding practice of switching digital video and constitutes the backbone of the BigBand Switched Broadcast solution.

America Online changes it's name to AOL.


AOL started out as Quantum Computer Services in 1985, and offered Internet service four years later. In 1991 it changed its name to America Online. After 10 years AOL merged with Time Warner to create AOL Time Warner.

But when the tech bubble burst, parent company Time Warner returned to being simply Time Warner.

AOL also is restructuring itself as a limited liability company.



"Our company long ago accomplished the mission implied by our old name ... we literally got America online," said AOL LLC Chief Executive Officer Jon Miller. "Our new corporate identity better reflects our expanded mission - to make everyone's online experience better. Plus, consumers in the U.S. and around the world already know us by our initials."

Monday, March 20, 2006

XO Leverages Ethernet over Copper Technology to Expand Ethernet Services

SAN DIEGO, March 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today at the CompTel Spring
2006 Convention & Expo, XO Communications announced a significant expansion in
the availability of XO Ethernet Services, using Ethernet over copper
technology to extend the reach of its Ethernet services footprint beyond its
fiber network to businesses served by last mile copper.
XO Ethernet Services now enable businesses at copper-fed locations to
leverage the expanded XO Ethernet footprint in more than 60 metropolitan
markets to connect multiple locations or receive high-speed, IP-ready network
access for the first time. Businesses with widely dispersed locations served
by either fiber or copper facilities will now be able to integrate all of
their offices and employees onto a single corporate network and for high-speed
Internet access. XO is offering the service directly to businesses and
service providers on a wholesale basis.
"The ability to extend the reach of XO Ethernet Services will be a major
boost to business customers as they grapple with an ever-expanding world of
content and applications across geographically diverse locations," said
Charlie Cary, vice president of marketing at XO Communications. "In addition
XO Ethernet Services eliminate network bottlenecks and unnecessary costs to
improve the operation, management, and performance of their vital
communications infrastructure."

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Broadband National Names Greg Miller VP of Business Development

Vero Beach, FL—Broadband National today announced the appointment of Greg Miller as Vice President of Business Development. Prior to joining Broadband National full time Miller was a consultant and instrumental in the architecture of Broadband National’s “IBIS” system, one of the telecom industry’s most sophisticated national databases. Based on Millers knowledge of the system and experience he will assume responsibility for the company’s Business Development unit as well as the company’s Affiliate and product partner relationships.

Prior to joining Broadband National Mr. Miller was Co-Founder of Prediction Analytics, Inc., a global research and analytics company, that was purchased in 2005 by Experian, a leading worldwide provider of data and information solutions to businesses and consumers, where he was responsible for business development and sales functions. Prediction Analytics leverages predictive science to develop custom, web-based modeling systems. Those systems provide intelligent decision support for successful retail growth, marketing and customer-acquisition strategies. Miller is considered a pioneer in the use of database management systems to increase sales effectiveness, having managed complex systems for BellSouth, SBC Internet Services and DIRECTV. From 1997-99, he served as Vice President of Sales and Operations for PrimeCo PCS, a division of Verizon Wireless. Prior to that, he served more than 20 years in various senior management positions with Radio Shack Corp.

“Greg was instrumental in architecting the IBIS platform that drives our tremendous growth. Greg is the perfect candidate to head our business development and at the same time be responsible for the demands of our many customers and partners,” states Vinny Olmstead, President of Broadband National.

Broadband National with offices in Vero Beach and Orlando Florida is the leading comparative shopping service for broadband and VoIP related products and services to consumers and businesses nationwide. Broadband National’s proprietary software - the Integrated Broadband Information System (“IBIS 3.0”) - allows customers objective comparisons including service offers, product offers, and guaranteed lowest pricing. A partnership with more than 50 companies such as AT&T, Qwest, Time Warner, Comcast, Covad, and Verizon ensures a comprehensive customer solution. Broadband National also licenses the IBIS 3.0 system to more than 1,500 companies such as retailers, VoIP suppliers, online marketers, and integrators allowing the same robust experience, while monetizing their customer base.

Broadband National’s IBIS platform is the leading consumer and commercial broadband aggregation platform. For more information on platform use, business development and strategic partnerships, please visit www.broadbandnational.com. For Broadband National press or investor relation’s inquiries, please contact Mark Ballard at 772-539-0618 or email markb@broadbandnational.com

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Broadband National Secures $3.25 Million in Financing From Constellation Ventures

Bear Stearns' Constellation Ventures Funds Fast-Growing Broadband National

VERO BEACH, Fla., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Broadband National, the leading
online marketing company that promotes broadband related products and
services, is announcing completion of its Series C funding round. The new
round of $3.25 million was funded by Constellation Ventures, a Bear Stearns
Asset Management Venture Capital Fund. This was Broadband National's first
institutional financing that was supported by the individual investors from
its Series A and B rounds.

The company plans to use the proceeds of the new funding to expand its
business offerings to include managed services, VoIP, and an enterprise
telecom inventory system; to expand consumer offerings such as video, voice,
Internet security and content; to expand sales channel growth; and to enhance
its customer experience by further development of its underlying technology
and user interface.

Broadband National's proprietary Integrated Broadband Information System
("IBIS") aggregates more than 50 broadband and VoIP service providers into one
platform. Companies such as AT&T, Comcast, Covad, Qwest, Sprint, Time Warner
and Verizon have integrated with the IBIS system, enabling customers to
compare pricing, features, and broadband speeds. A customer can purchase
these services on the IBIS system through its online ordering forms, which are
immediately transmitted to the carriers via XML technology, initiating the
service provisioning process.

Broadband National leases the IBIS system to companies that are looking to
monetize their customer base by selling incremental products and services.
More than 1000 companies privately brand the IBIS system for online sales,
call center application, and retail kiosks.

In conjunction with this funding, Tom Wasserman of Constellation Ventures
will serve on the company's board of directors. Additional Board seats will
be filled by Pat Welsh (Welsh Carson Anderson and Stowe), Ray Oglethorpe
(former president, AOL), Charlie Dill (Two Rivers Associates), and Michael
Leitner (Tennenbaum Capital Partners).

"Constellation evaluated several companies in this space and found that
Broadband National has both a back engine that is robust and scalable, and
incredible online marketing capabilities based on proprietary software,
technology, and processes," said Tom Wasserman of Constellation Ventures.
"Broadband National is an online leader that has simplified the buying process
in the fragmented broadband and voice access business. We see incredible
growth opportunity in this vertical for both the consumers and businesses they
support."

"Constellation is a terrific strategic fit for Broadband National," said
Vinny Olmstead, President of Broadband National. "Their focus and experience
in the media and communication vertical will be invaluable to our company.
Tom's industry experience and accomplishments are welcome enhancements of
leadership for the business, and will assist with execution of our business
plan."


About Constellation Ventures

Constellation Ventures, a Bear Stearns Asset Management Venture Capital
Fund, manages $450 million in venture capital through offices in New York and
Tokyo. The fund invests in early- to mid-stage companies that enable the
distribution, management and control of information over emerging digital
networks. Constellation Ventures provides its portfolio companies strategic
value-added services by leveraging its Limited Partners that include Bear
Stearns, Sony, Viacom, Young & Rubicam, Tribune, Dai Nippon Printing, NTT
Data, Acxiom, Toyota and Singapore Technologies. For more information, please
visit http://www.constellationventures.com .

About Broadband National

Broadband National is the leading comparative shopping website for
broadband related services and products. Residential and business customers
can use Broadband National's IBIS (Integrated Broadband Information System)
technology to compare services from more than 50 local, regional and national
service providers. Companies such as Comcast, AT&T, Sprint, Qwest, Dlink, Time
Warner, and Verizon are offered at http://www.broadbandnational.com .
Broadband National utilizes their online marketing capabilities to attract
customers and ultimately complete sales for their marketing customers.

The private company was formed in 2003 as a solution to a fragmented and
confusing broadband market place. Millions have used the website to compare
services, with more than 300,000 consumers and businesses having purchased
broadband, VoIP, and similar broadband related products and services.

The robust IBIS system is also utilized by several companies including
selected "Big Box" stores such as Office Depot and more than 1,000 others
companies that lease the technology to offer broadband products and services
on their websites and in retail stores.

For Broadband National press or investor relations inquiries, please
contact Mark Ballard at 772-539-0618 or visit
http://www.broadbandnational.com .

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Broadband National Names Mickey Smith As VP Of Operations

Seasoned Telecom Executive Joins Fast Growing Customer Acquisition Company

Vero Beach, FL—Broadband National today announced the appointment of Mickey Smith as Vice President Of Operations. Smith will be responsible for Broadband National’s call centers, customer service, and all product distribution.

Mr. Smith comes to Broadband National with 20 plus years of successful management experience in competitive, customer-driven environments. Smith’s successes include ownership of two start-up customer service companies, Advance Reservations and Victoria Vacations, which became the largest of their type in the country. He has been the COO of the successful start up Indian Call Center, Inox Global Solutions, and the CEO of two Prepaid Calling Card companies. Mr. Smith’s expertise in developing systems and controls that deliver the highest levels of customer service will benefit Broadband National’s goal of becoming the premier online marketing company for Broadband services and products

“Mickey’s vast experience in call center development and management in customer driven environments makes him the perfect candidate to oversee this important part of our business,” states Vinny Olmstead, President of Broadband National. “He also has the ability to develop systems and controls to deliver a high level of customer satisfaction that also optimizes employee talents and productivity.”

Broadband National with offices in Vero Beach and Orlando Florida is the leading comparative shopping service for broadband and VoIP services to consumers and businesses nationwide. Broadband National’s proprietary software - the Integrated Broadband Information System
(“IBIS 3.0”) - allows customers objective carrier comparisons including service offers, product offers, and guaranteed lowest pricing. A partnership with more than 50 companies such as AT&T, Qwest, Time Warner, Comcast, Covad, and Verizon ensures a comprehensive customer solution. Broadband National also licenses the IBIS 3.0 system to more than 1,500 companies such as retailers, VoIP suppliers, online marketers, and integrators allowing the same robust experience, while monetizing their customer base.

Broadband National’s IBIS platform is the leading consumer and commercial broadband aggregation platform. For more information on platform use, business development and strategic partnerships, please visit www.broadbandnational.com. For Broadband National press or investor relation’s inquiries, please contact Mark Ballard at 772-539-0618 or email markb@broadbandnational.com

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Ex America Online Executive Joins Broadband National

Dan Zicari Joins Broadband National As Vice President Of Finance

Vero Beach, FL—Broadband National today announced the appointment of Dan Zicari as Vice President Of Finance. Zicari is responsible for all of Broadband Nationals financial, and managerial accounting functions. This includes development and implementation of accounting controls and procedures, operational and capital budgeting, and departmental accountability. In addition, he is responsible for all human resource policy and banking relationships.

Prior to joining Broadband National, Zicari served as Director of Accounting for America Online’s Member Services, the companies largest division. It was here that he developed accounting policy that spanned call centers throughout the country and worked closely with Human Resources to develop career migration plans for thousands of employees. Prior to AOL Zicari was Controller at Redgate Communications Corporation, AOL’s first acquisition. Zicari earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Stetson University in 1984. He attained his CPA certification in Florida in 1988.

“Broadband National is a dynamic and fast growing company and coming from AOL Dan understands the types of challenges that we’ll encounter moving forward. His experience in both finance and human resources makes him an ideal addition to our management team,” states Vinny Olmstead, President of Broadband National.

Broadband National with offices in Vero Beach and Orlando Florida is the leading comparative shopping service for broadband and VoIP services to consumers and businesses nationwide. Broadband National’s proprietary software - the Integrated Broadband Information System (“IBIS 3.0”) - allows customers objective carrier comparisons including service offers, product offers, and guaranteed lowest pricing. A partnership with more than 50 companies such as AT&T, Qwest, Time Warner, Comcast, Covad, and Verizon ensures a comprehensive customer solution. Broadband National also licenses the IBIS 3.0 system to more than 1,500 companies such as retailers, VoIP suppliers, online marketers, and integrators allowing the same robust experience, while monetizing their customer base.

Broadband National’s IBIS platform is the leading consumer and commercial broadband aggregation platform. For more information on platform use, business development and strategic partnerships, please visit www.broadbandnational.com. For Broadband National press or investor relation’s inquiries, please contact Mark Ballard at 772-539-0618 or email markb@broadbandnational.com

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Covad settles Verizon disputes, inks deal with MCI

NEW YORK,(Reuters) - Broadband service provider Covad and Verizon Communications have settled their litigation and other disputes, the companies said on Wednesday.

The settlement dismisses Covad's pending antitrust case against Verizon and a separate lawsuit Verizon had filed against Covad and it resolves the companies' billing disputes.

In a separate agreement MCI Inc., which Verizon is buying, will recommend Covad's broadband Internet services to its business customers, the companies said.

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Want Gwen Stefani videos on your broadband cell? Think WiMAX backhaul

That's a depiction of Verizon V CAST, Verizon Wireless' new broadband video content for cell phones. Watching Gwen Stefani on your cell is cool, but that's not what we are going to talk about here. We are going to talk about the upgrades mobile providers need to make to get this content to your cell so that it looks good.

The growth of such broadband video content delivered over cellular networks and to cell phones isn't only exciting for content creators and consumers. It also creates substantial upgrade requirements for cellular base station backhaul.

In telecommunications, backhaul refers to the transmission of voice and data traffic from a cell site to a switch. This is usually done from a remote site to a central site.

"One of the hottest market segments now and for the next 5 years is cellular base station backhaul," the study authors write. "The number of mobile subscribers continues to grow in all regions, and cellular operators are launching data and video-based services."

"Most base stations require only a single T1/E1 to handle voice traffic. Adding data/video turns up the need to 3 or 4 T1/E1s at a minimum, with video potentially driving even higher requirements in the future," the authors note. "Since the data is IP and the video is likely going to be IPTV, data traffic volumes will quickly outstrip voice, just as happened a couple of years ago when the Internet/data traffic swamped voice.

Monday, December 19, 2005

New York ramping up for broadband

Ramping city up for broadband

December 19, 2005

A political push to broaden the use of broadband - by making high-speed Internet lines cheaper and more accessible - should gain a bit of ground this week.

In one of its last acts under Speaker Gifford Miller, the City Council on Wednesday is expected to approve a bill creating a new 15-member "broadband advisory committee."

Sponsor Gale A. Brewer (D-Manhattan), who chairs the Council's technology committee, considers it a populist calling for government to prod or provide more equal Internet access. She's held a dozen hearings in the past two years and sees the new body as the next step. "The gap between those who can afford broadband and those who cannot persists," Brewer says in a report she co-authored with her top aide Bruce Lai, "despite growth in the availability of broadband connections."

Census data show that more than half the U.S. households with annual incomes above $100,000 have broadband while more than two thirds of those who earn less than $100,000 do not.

Philadelphia, Atlanta and San Francisco are carrying out plans for wireless broadband networks, note Brewer and Lai. Smaller cities such as Spokane, Wash. and Corpus Christi, Texas already created them.

For more information click here.

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Microsoft: jumping into the VoIP fray

Microsoft has announced plans to release its first beta version of Live Messenger with VoIP

Microsoft has staked a claim in the US VoIP market by announcing its software users can soon make Internet calls to standard phones thanks to a new partnership with MCI. Although rival products from the likes of Yahoo and Skype offer extra features, given Microsoft's broad market reach elsewhere and its alliance with MCI, this should not affect the company's foray into VoIP in the longer term.

The MCI Web Calling for Windows Live service will be available in the first half of 2006. Essentially, it combines MCI's existing VoIP offerings with Microsoft software.

The service will be available via Windows Live Messenger, the upcoming successor to Microsoft's existing instant messaging (IM) service. At 2.3 cents per minute, it will undercut rates from MCI, which is being acquired by Verizon Communications.

Thursday, December 08, 2005

Yahoo! targets! Skype! with! improved! VoIP! offer!

Fab! tastic!
By Tim Richardson

Yahoo! is adding more features to its existing VoIP service in a bid to gain a bigger of the rapidly growing broadband telephony market.

A new version of Yahoo!'s Messenger service is due to be released soon that will enable users to make broadband calls that are reportedly cheaper than those on offer by VoIP giant Skype.

Click here for the complete story.

Monday, December 05, 2005

Verizon fighting for piece of cable market

By MARY ANN D'URSO

BRIDGEWATER -- Already a giant in the telephone, wireless and DSL markets, Verizon wants to deliver cable television service to customers, too -- which puts it at odds with New Jersey's cable TV giants, including Cablevision and Comcast.

Consumers in a growing number of New Jersey towns can already sign up for Verizon's FiOS service, which uses a new fiber optic network instead of a regular telephone line. It features high-speed Internet access that is faster than its own DSL connection.

But before the company can "switch on" cable and other interactive video services, it wants to change New Jersey's cable franchise rules, which require cable operators to negotiate agreements with individual towns. Such a process could take years, said Dennis Bone, Verizon New Jersey president, delaying competition in what is now a cable industry monopoly.

Verizon is lobbying for a new law that would make a single cable agreement good for the entire state.

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Trolltech Launches First Linux-based VoIP Framework for Handheld Devices

Trolltech, provider of leading technologies that make advanced software faster to build and easier to use, today released Qtopia Phone Edition 2.2, the first Linux-based Voice over IP (VoIP) software solution for mobile and wireless phones and converged media devices. Qtopia Phone 2.2, the latest version of Trolltech's application platform for Linux devices, also features performance improvements and enhanced user interface, multimedia and internationalization functionality.

Click here for the complete story.

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Apple releases Broadband Tuner 1.0

By Peter Cohen pcohen@maccentral.com

Apple has released Broadband Tuner v1.0, a utility that tweaks the system parameters of Macs with very high speed Internet connections — 5 Mbps or faster.

Broadband Tuner changes the default values for the size of the TCP send and receive buffers used by Mac OS X, according to Apple. “With larger buffers more data can be in transit at once,” said Apple. “A startup configuration file is also updated so that these changes will persist across restarts.”

An optional uninstaller can be used to restore the system settings that were in effect before the parameters were changed. System requirements call for Mac OS X v10.4 or later.

Monday, November 28, 2005

Case study: Broadband — a therapy for retail

There are some businesspeople who question what broadband can possibly do for them, but Mark Gould is not one of them. The managing director of Hughes & Hughes has witnessed the dramatic impact it has had on his retail operation in the past two years.

The bookseller — which has 180 employees and 15 branches across the country — has always prided itself on its customer service. In the past, if a customer couldn’t find the book they wanted, staff would search a CD-Rom-based book database, a fresh version of which was supplied by Hughes & Hughes’ book distributor on a monthly basis. When the internet came along, staff were able to dial up and connect over the web direct to the distributor’s online catalogue. The change was very welcome from a customer service viewpoint, but it had its drawbacks.

Click here for the full story.

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

America Online, IAC, Hearst Corp., and Allen & Company Lead $16 Million Investment in Brightcove

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)---- AOL and Brightcove Sign Video Content Distribution Agreement; Barry Diller Joins Brightcove Board of Directors

Brightcove, an Internet TV pioneer, today announced the completion of a major strategic financing round, a groundbreaking video content distribution partnership with AOL, and the appointment of Barry Diller, Chairman and CEO of IAC/InterActiveCorp and Chairman of Expedia, Inc., to the Brightcove Board of Directors.

AOL (NYSE:TWX), IAC/InterActiveCorp (Nasdaq:IACI), Hearst Corporation, and Allen & Company LLC have joined with existing Brightcove investors Accel Partners and General Catalyst Partners to invest $16.2 million in Brightcove. The investments complete a Series B financing round that will fuel the company's growth and the launch of its products and services.

In a separate industry milestone, Brightcove signed a significant and innovative content distribution agreement with AOL.

"We are thrilled to get both the backing of such a strong group of strategic investors and a major distribution agreement with AOL," said Jeremy Allaire, Brightcove Chairman and CEO. "The opportunities these investors bring to Brightcove, combined with the relationships we are already developing, put us in an incredible position to deliver our open Internet TV service and realize our mission to transform the media landscape by enabling video publishers to build broadband businesses that reach consumers directly through the Internet."