NeoCarta Joins Premier Roster of VCs; Series C Funds Will Increase In-Game Ad Network Breadth and Depth, Technical Innovation, and Global Reach
NEW YORK CITY—JANUARY 19, 2005—Massive Inc., the creator of the world’s first in-game advertising network, today announced a $10 million Series C financing round. NeoCarta Ventures led the round and was joined by previous investors DFJ Gotham, DFJ New England, RRE Ventures, Tobat Capital, and Newlight Associates. Thomas W. Naughton, Managing Director at NeoCarta, will join Massive’s Board of Directors.
Today’s announcement is the latest in a series of new developments highlighting Massive’s success and momentum since its launch in October 2004. In December 2004, the company announced that it had joined forces with Nielsen Interactive Entertainment, who will provide third-party accountability and measurement for in-game advertising on the Massive network. The agreement is another critical advance in the validation of video games as an effective and viable advertising mechanism.
Massive’s network of top-selling video games spans over 40 titles from eight publishers including Ubisoft, Vivendi Universal, and Legacy Interactive—and new titles are being added regularly as this powerful network expands. By the end of 2005, the network will deliver advertising reach of over 4 million 18-34 year old men, as large as TV affiliate reach numbers today.
“The in game advertising market will have the potential to grow to over $2 billion by 2008 and Massive is leading the charge,” said Thomas W. Naughton, managing director of NeoCarta Ventures. “With video games poised to take their place alongside TV and print as a major advertising medium, we are excited to help drive Massive’s success.”
The Massive In-Game Advertising Network is the first, and only one of its kind, to allow advertisers to reach an aggregated audience of gamers through real-time delivery of advertising across a network of top-selling video games. Brand marketers can tap into the nation’s largest entertainment industry using a familiar model that is similar to purchasing television advertising. By delivering ads seamlessly into the gaming environment with no impact on game play or performance, Massive makes reaching the gaming audience easy.
“This recent round of funding will help us continue to expand our
network, develop new and innovative advertising opportunities with our
partners and customers, and bring Massive to a global audience,”
said Mitch Davis, CEO of Massive Incorporated. “We’re looking
forward to opening our European office and significantly increasing our
advertising sales team to help service our rapidly growing client base.”
About NeoCarta
NeoCarta Ventures is a leading venture capital firm specializing in early
to mid-stage technology investments. The firm focuses on investments in
IT infrastructure, software, hardware, networking, media and wireless.
With offices in San Francisco and Boston, NeoCarta partners' backgrounds
include senior investment experience with outstanding track records at
GE Capital, Intel Capital, Thomson, and NBC. NeoCarta works closely with
entrepreneurs and actively adds value by providing strategic guidance,
team-building skills, industry knowledge, and operating expertise. With
NeoCarta's unique mix of financial, operational, and technical expertise,
the firm is able to add value at all stages of a company's development.
NeoCarta’s web site address is: www.neocarta.com
About Massive Incorporated
Massive Incorporated is the creator of the world's first video game advertising
network. With its patent-pending technology, Massive dynamically serves
advertising across the largest aggregated network of premier video game
titles and delivers measured results on consumer interaction with brands.
Massive delivers dynamic advertising to 18-34 year old male gamers and
allows publishers and advertisers to finally capitalize on the largest
cultural and economic entertainment force in the world. Massive is backed
by DFJ Gotham, DFJ New England, RRE Ventures, NeoCarta Ventures, Tobat
Capital, and Newlight Associates. www.massiveincorporated.com.
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