One thing that the economic collapse created was a whole lot of entrepreneurs. One of them was Jay DeDapper, former political reporter at WNBC in New York City (full disclosure, Jay’s partner is one of Rock Paper Pixel’s Creative Directors Tod Wohlfarth). Jay first started DeDapper Media, which he continues to run. Rock Paper Pixel, of course, created the brand and website for that venture. But a seed was planted years ago in Jay’s head while still at NBC. He continued to nurture it with various partners until early 2011 it seemed to gel into a full-fledged tree of a business.
That business is the start-up Zazoom. Jay and the founding partners Tim Minton (former WNBC reporter), Philip O’Brien (manager at CNN, NBC, CBS, Fox, and founder of NY1) and Steve Bradbury (former executive at MGM, Sony, GoTV) created a vibrant web video network.
“Zazoom produces and distributes video clips created specifically for people watching on tablets, smartphones, laptops and connected TVs. We then use our expertise to help publishers and brands build significantly stronger engagement with their viewers.”
Zazoom CEO Tim Minton talks about what works in web video. from Zazoom on Vimeo.
Zazoom needed a quick brand identity, website and collateral to hunt for investment. Rock Paper Pixel’s designers created a fun brand that screams “entertaining”. With a name like Zazoom, how could you go wrong? Investment came in and their first channel Buzz60 was put into development.
Rock Paper Pixel was invited to bid on the brand identity and website design for Buzz60. The “shows” on Buzz60 consist of 60 second clips about the trending topics of the day and other popular subjects. Four studios were in the running and through no fault of our own we were now officially Zazoom’s studio of record. Given the break-neck pace of 6-8 weeks to create a “dynamic, engaging and entertaining” brand and website unlike any other video site out there, it was a daunting task. But along with Knectar, our development partner of choice, we did it.
Over the next year Buzz60 would see unexpected growth and revenue. They now have 6+ partners that distribute their Buzz60 clips across the internet to thousands of websites. This results in millions upon millions of views. The advertising dollars are now pouring in, creating a very solvent and successful company in a very short amount of time considering.
What’s next for Zazoom? Some bright things in the social engagement realm are on the horizon and again Rock Paper Pixel has had a hand in it. But you’re gonna have to wait to see what happens. All good things come to those who wait.