WideOrbit

WideOrbit Inc. is a technology company that develops and markets sales, traffic, billing and broadcast automation software for Television stations, radio stations, cable television stations, cable operators, web television, digital television and out-of-home-advertising. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, WideOrbit has offices in Dallas, Denver, Seattle, Melbourne, Australia and New Delhi, India and employs more than 200 people as of July 2010.

History

WideOrbit was founded in July 1999 by entrepreneur Eric R. Mathewson, who still serves as CEO and Chairman of the Board. In early 2000, WideOrbit met with key broadcast television group executives while in initial product design to guide the development of their first traffic system, which was launched at WENY-ABC-TV in Elmira New York in February 2001. The first commercial station went live in December 2001 at WTKR-CBS-TV, then owned by the New York Times Company.

September 2002: The New York Times Company, Meredith Corporation and Liberty Corporation, invested $6 million as part of an $8 million Series B financing of WideOrbit.

2004: The Hearst Corporation made an equity investment in WideOrbit.

February 2008: WideOrbit, as part of a recapitalization bought out the shares owned by The New York Times Company, Meredith Corporation and Liberty Corporation and obtained a $14.5 million round of financing from venture firms Khosla Ventures, Greycroft Partners and Hearst Corporation.

August 2009: WideOrbit acquired the assets of Google’s radio automation business, including the Google Radio Automation, Maestro and SS32 radio automation products.

March 2010: The beta launch of WO Central; the industry’s first, real-time, direct connection between Buyers and the Seller’s Advertising inventory systems. Enabled with a direct two-way connection with Donovan Data Systems, WO Central represents the first time that Donovan systems has been directly connected on a two-way basis to station Traffic systems and regional cable networks.

October 13, 2010: WideOrbit announced its intent to acquire the Orion Business System assets of privately held VCI Solutions, a leading provider of sales and Traffic Software solutions for the broadcast and cable industry. The closing of the proposed transaction is subject to the completion of customary agreements. Subject to these conditions, WideOrbit anticipates closing of the transaction by November 1.

Products

WO Traffic enables companies to manage multiple stations, channels and networks, as well as multiple mediums from a single system.

WO Traffic for Radio enables radio broadcasters to manage multiple stations, markets and groups from a single system.

WO Sales is a web-based solution for account management, forecasting, proposals and post-buy analysis.

WO Promo enables companies to optimize promotion use and placement based on measurable data, rather than guesswork.

WO Automation for Radio automation system that features a touchscreen interface, customizable DJ workspace with widget-based architecture, Leader & Follower functionality and more. Purchased from Google in 2009.

Awards

2010: Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Private Companies In America
2010: techINK Innovation Award for WO Automation for Radio 2.0
2010: AlwaysOn Media 100 recognizing the [...] edge technology companies that have emerged as leaders in the worlds of advertising, media, marketing, branding, and publishing.
2009: Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Private Companies in America
2008: Silicon Valley Deloitte Technology Fast 50
2008: Deloitte 2008 Technology Fast 500 award as one of the fastest growing technology companies in North America
2007: AlwaysOn Media 100 recognizing the [...] edge technology companies that have emerged as leaders in the worlds of advertising, media, marketing, branding, and publishing.

References

Techcrunch - http://techcrunch.com/2009/08/05/closed-deal-wideorbit-acquires-google-radio-assets/

Reuters - http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2764332420080228

BNET - http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2002_Sept_16/ai_91527738/

Radio Business Report - http://www.rbr.com/media-news/advertising/21751.html

Wikinvest - http://www.wikinvest.com/stock/Hearst-Argyle_Television_(HTV)/Wide_Orbit_Inc

Business Wire - http://www.allbusiness.com/entertainment-arts/broadcasting-industry-subscription/11698529-1.html

External links

Website - http://www.wideorbit.com/wideorbit.com/