CHICAGO -- Spot It Out, LLC, launched to provide content and media companies with a way to package and deliver their offerings as a software add-on to location-aware mobile devices. These devices include smart phones, portable-navigation devices and netbooks.
"The navigation and location-based services space is largely focused on getting you from point A-to-B, advertising and social networks. Spot It Out is addressing a different area - location-based publishing," said Andreas Hecht, cofounder and general partner, Spot It Out. "We deliver the kind of content that fits into the lifestyles of consumers and comes from or is associated with major brands that are trusted and known authorities."
"We are working with the top media and publishing companies to deliver highly relevant, location-enabled content to mobile devices. Not only does this help these companies extend their reach and generate revenue, it also gives consumers a new way to experience popular brands on mobile devices," said George Filley, cofounder and general partner, Spot It Out.
The first products from Spot It Out partners will come to market in the coming weeks and agreements have been signed with Zagat Survey and Golf Digest Magazine. Additional deals with other well-known media companies will be announced soon.
"We are working with major retailers to bring software to market from Zagat and Golf Digest that enhances the abilities of navigation devices. As the prices on navigation products continue to drop, consumers will seek value and content from brands they trust," said Kiyoshi Hamai, cofounder and general partner, Spot It Out.
Spot It Out was founded by executives with extensive experience in both retail marketing and navigation:
•Andreas Hecht, cofounder and general partner - Hecht has a distinguished track record developing and successfully marketing innovative consumer products. Before co-founding Spot It Out, he held the position of executive vice president of Digital Products and Services at Rand McNally. Prior to that, Hecht was president of NAVIGON North America, leader in GPS navigation technology. At NAVIGON, Hecht launched the brand into the consumer electronics market and quickly grew the company to become a market share leader in North America. Hecht also spent more than 10 years at NAVTEQ in a variety of technical, product and business development roles.
•George Filley, cofounder and general partner - Filley brings more than 20 years of experience in executive sales, business development, strategy and product management in the Internet, wireless and navigational marketplaces. Before co-founding Spot It Out, George spent nine years at NAVTEQ where his leadership was instrumental in the successful creation of its consumer business, which generates revenues in excess of $200 million. Filley held the critical roles of vice president, North American Consumer Business Unit and vice president of Global Product Management. Prior to NAVTEQ, Filley spent 15 years at Motorola where he held numerous business and product management positions including director of Core Technology Partnerships and director of Product Management, iDEN Infrastructure Group. At Motorola, Filley played a key role in the definition of the world's first digitally integrated wireless network, which was utilized by NEXTEL Communications and generated more than $1 billion in revenue.
•Kiyoshi Hamai cofounder and general partner - Hamai brings more than 25 years of experience and success with B2B and consumer products, distribution, marketing and sales with hard goods, consumer software, computer and video games and consumer electronics. Before co-founding Spot It Out, Kiyoshi held the position of director of Sales and Channel Marketing at Rand McNally. Hamai also spent three years leading Mio Technology USA and brought the company from a no-name brand to a consistent top four player. Prior to that, Hamai held the position of vice president Business Development, and lead the LBS group at TeleAtlas.
Providing guidance and serving on the Spot It Out Board of Advisors are industry veterans:
•Nelson Chan, former CEO, Magellan, a leader in consumer, survey, GIS and OEM GPS navigation and positioning markets and also a former senior executive at SanDisk Corporation, the world's largest supplier of flash branded data storage products;
•Walt Doyle, CEO of ULocate, the developer and publisher of the award winning service WHERE. With millions of users across hundreds of handsets, WHERE is North America's leading local search and recommendation service on mobile devices;
•Salahuddin Khan, former senior executive of NAVTEQ, and current cofounder and managing partner of Lifeline Holdings;
•Paul Levine, senior vice president, Interactive Platforms Group, and senior vice president, Corporate Strategy and Development, for National Geographic Global Media.
Companies interested in working with Spot It Out should go to the company Web site at: www.spotitout.com.
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