I was extremely pleased to see Congress pass and the President sign the JOBS Act, which will loosen the IPO process for emerging growth companies. A lot of ink (or is that pixels) was spilled talking about how this bill will help the economy, but I want to dig a bit under the covers to … Continue reading “Why Innovators Should Still Aim for an IPO, Not An Acquisition”
Author: Gene Hoffman
Gene Hoffman, Jr., is chairman and chief executive officer of Vindicia, which provides strategic online billing solutions to digital content merchants.
Prior to Vindicia, Gene co-founded eMusic in January 1998 and served as President, Chief Executive Officer, and a Director. Gene led the acquisition of eMusic by Vivendi/Universal in June 2001. Before founding eMusic Gene was Director of Business Development and Director of Interactive Marketing at Pretty Good Privacy. Gene joined Pretty Good Privacy after it acquired PrivNet, Inc., an Internet privacy software company, where he was co-founder, Director and Executive Vice President.
Beyond the Tablet Wars: Apple, Amazon, and the Cloud
Much has been written on the battle between Apple and Amazon. Certainly Steve Jobs’ passing has made us all reflect, and perhaps on a much deeper level than before, on the man and the empire he created. In many ways, the companies are more alike than they are different. What makes them both remarkable players … Continue reading “Beyond the Tablet Wars: Apple, Amazon, and the Cloud”
The Supreme Court’s 7-2 Decision on Video Games as Free Speech Masks a 5-4 Split
The Supreme Court today released its opinion regarding California’s attempt to ban the sale of so-called violent video games to those under 18. My company, Vindicia, filed an amicus brief in the case, Brown v. Entertainment Merchant’s Association, to make sure the Court was aware of the ramifications of the California law in the digital … Continue reading “The Supreme Court’s 7-2 Decision on Video Games as Free Speech Masks a 5-4 Split”
Who Owns the Relationship with Digital Subscribers—Publishers, or Apple?
The ascent of smartphones and tablets is causing a seismic shift in the way media companies reach consumers. As an iPad and iPhone owner, I now consume the bulk of my media online. Whether it’s the Kindle App, Netflix, HBO Go, or Hulu, media companies have rapidly realized that they can use the new platforms … Continue reading “Who Owns the Relationship with Digital Subscribers—Publishers, or Apple?”
How the Wrong Decision in Schwarzenegger v. EMA Could Cripple Video Game Innovation
In 2005 the Terminator signed a bill to outlaw the sale of “violent” video games to anyone under 18 years of age in California. Granted, he was wearing his off-set persona as the Governor of California, but this irony flows through a case the U.S. Supreme Court is about to hear entitled Schwarzenegger v. EMA. … Continue reading “How the Wrong Decision in Schwarzenegger v. EMA Could Cripple Video Game Innovation”