Comcast’s corporate venturing unit has led reputation management business WhoSay in a $12m financing.
Comcast Ventures was joined in the C round by US-based online retailer Amazon, China-based online company Tencent and venture firms Greylock Partners and High Peaks Ventures. WhoSay rovides public figures with a platform to manage their social networking while giving fans an officially sanctioned base to access that content.
Sam Landman, partner at Comcast Ventures, said: “WhoSay has become the leading content management platform for the world’s most influential personalities. By helping high profile talent efficiently and safely connect with fans through both social and mainstream media, WhoSay has built a unique and valuable asset. We see the ability for WhoSay members to connect directly with fans through social media as an important trend that will positively impact traditional media careers and will ultimately allow them to participate in the value they help create for online businesses as well.”
Steve Ellis, Whosay’s founder, was previously founder of Pump Audio, a music-licensing business, which was sold to picture business Getty Images in 2007.
WhoSay secured an undisclosed amount of funding from venture capital firm Greylock Partners in October last year.
Online retailer Amazon and venture capital firm High Peak Ventures are among WhoSay’s existing investors. WhoSay closed its series A round, in June 2010, raising $2.4m.
WhoSay was co-founded by entertainment and sports agency CAA.