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22-03-2014, 15:43
Like: Facebook VOD firm scores $500,000 angel funding Joseph O'Halloran | 22-03-2014 Screenburn, an enabler of the sale of films on the Facebook social media platform, is celebrating the capture of half a million dollars in angel investment.Andrew Weisz of Lean Investments LP led the funding round, which saw many senior angels joining the funding such as Tom Singh and Michael and Simon Blakey from Avonmore Investments.The cash injection will be used to improve a solution from which users can purchase video content directly from an existing Facebook page and which first saw use with Soda Pictures in December 2012. It has then gone on to release films from Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones to Facebook audiences globally, as well as over 200 indie releases.Commenting on the funding, Screenburn founder and director Tom Raffe said: "It's very validating to see how far we've come and the year is shaping up incredibly well. We have some fantastic clients working with us and the releases lined up for 2014 are very exciting. We're really looking forward to releasing these and helping clients to monetise their content on Facebook."In addition to capturing new funding, Screenburn has also shaken up its senior management. Former Zodiak Rights Chief Executive and BBC Worldwide sales chief Steve Macallister is joining the board to help advise Screenburn along with Howard Kiedaisch, CO of Arts Alliance Media. The company believes that the execs' collective will be invaluable in helping clients to monetise their content through social media."There's no question that much of the future of long form video content lies with digital streaming, added Macallister. "Screenburn is exciting because it offers content owners an opportunity to reach out to people already engaged with a brand or a particular release online. In an age where physical releases are seeing a downward turn, finding additional revenue streams is now a real priority for many companies looking to promote content."