Is their more than one founder? If so, who are they?
Yes, David Wu and Kent Smetters are co-founders of our site and the unique stock exchange platform that most of our games are based on. David and Kent met as student and teacher at Wharton. There’s actually an interesting story about it at http://www.rotohog.com/web/guest/content?id=NEWS_16 from Entrepreneur Magazine.
What is your background and qualifications?
I spent 12 years in the agency world as a Creative Director, Writer and Business Development person before moving into the fantasy sports industry. It helps to be a big sports fan and love what you do. Between advertising agencies and now fantasy sports, I’ve never really worked a day in my life. I get paid to get people to play games. Not a bad way to make a living.
What does your website do?
We offer fantasy sports in baseball and football as well power fantasy games for NBA.com and several other major brands and sports leagues around the globe. We’ve also significantly expanded the content and community side recently at RotoHog.com. More sports will come online in the coming months too as we ramp up NASCAR, soccer and more.
How do you generate revenue? If through ads, what ad network do you use?
Through advertising and development fees. We are currently partnered with the Fantasy Players Network.
Does your experience with ad agencies allow you to close more advertising deals or do you pretty much deal with Fantasy Players Network Exclusively?
We take display advertising for our site exclusively from Fantasy Players Network. We have developed numerous relationships with brands via agency connections for unique sponsorships. Those should start to be prevalent on our site in ’09.
How have your marketed your site?
A lot of different ways. We’ve done everything from the offbeat (tigersapple.com) to the traditional (Fantasy Draft mags). Gone are the days when a few channels brought the masses in. We have to open up hundreds of channels to build the user base we want. Lots of trickles versus one big stream.
Funding: Self funded, Angel Investment, or Venture Capital?
VC- Allen & Company, DFJ Dragon, Mission Ventures and Sports Capital Partners.
Are You currently looking for funding?
We raised a Series A of $10M
What type(s) of technology do you use?
I just leave that to the tech guys. I do know we have a universal platform that operates our brand and scales for major media partners and leagues.
What is your favorite feature on your website?
The Stock Exchange Fantasy Football game. It’s really unique, it’s free and you can win a lot of cool stuff, but I just think it’s a lot of fun.
Any Bold Predictions for Sports and Technology in the future?
I think we will see the continued convergence of sports and content to all screens – mobile, TV, web, etc. – and see fantasy sports games better integrate across all of those, and even unite them. I think you’re seeing that now with the Fantasy Football related features in the new Madden game, and that’s just baby steps of what is to come. I know all the fantasy sports groups are working to put new games in new places. Should be a very interesting go at things over the next few years.
Other Fantasy Sports Features:
Score OS: Open Source Fantasy Football Management System
KO Fantasy Boxing
Fantasy Sports Live: Daily Fantasy Sports for Profit
Fantasy Sports Update
Draft Mix: Weekly Fantasy Football/Baseball for Money
