The one thing we know for sure about these partners is that they're super focused on building a quality filter on the content that the share around their brand - so we want to make sure they have the tools to do that.

Then, there's the large number of our users that are building on our Free and Pro platform offerings.  We think of these folks as digital entrepreneurs - folks who are using their experience, knowledge and passion to build content destinations around great curated content. For them, the idea is to give them both the content and revenue tools to build channels that they have complete control over.  So that may mean building on the free platform, using community tools to grow an audience base, and then when ad revenue starts to come in, switch over to "Pro" and gain 100% control of the ad inventory.  Here the vision is we want to support the emergence of new content curators - and do it at their individual speed. We're ready when they're ready.

Here,  great examples are Droideo.com  and http://natube.magnify.net-  both community sites that are growing really well.

Q: What differentiates Magnify from other video Web sites?

To start with, there really are a number of different kinds of services that fit under the headline of 'Video Web sites'. There are hosting services like Brightcove, or Viddler or Vimeo services that offer upload, hosting, encoding,  and players. We see it at 8 vectors that carve up video in to applications,  services, streaming,  social networking,  and such. You can debate which company goes in which category, but the point is that there's unique set of solutions that can be bolted together. So, for example - if you have a large collection of video - and are going to make a lot of video every week - then a host/player solution could be great. If - however - you're looking to enhance and grow your video offering with video that comes from multiple services and can increase ROI with very little initial cost or staff time - then a solution like Magnify.net and video discovery, aggregation and curation may be a better choice.

Q: Why did you choose to base Magnify in New York City? -

Well, New York choose us.  Back when we launched  - our core team was here. But as we've spent more time on airplanes - we're finding that the base of content creation and content partnerships are in the Northeast - so it's a great base of operations. That said,  we're a global company with customers around the world,  and we try and make sure that our world view is in sync with our customers. So,  for example -  we think that sharing is a far more powerful concept than content ownership or a single point of access for any one piece of content. That's kind of a West Coast tech-centric view - but we embrace it.

Q:  Has your background in magic helped you with your presentations to potential investors?

Absolutely. I think every start up needs a little magic. A bit of something that is dazzling - that makes customers feel the excitement and enthusiasm we have for what we've built,  and what we're building together.  Frankly, I think there is some technology out there that has amazing code -but is missing a customer-friendly UI. And I think there are some services that are really flashy - but once you lift the hood,  the tech just isn't that robust. So the 'magic' part is great, frankly I think what our development team is able to do with code reminds me a bit of the things that Harry Houdini was able to do. Great software, like great illusions, leave  you with a sense of wonderment.     

Q: Speaking of investment, how much did Magnify raise in its latest round of funding?

Here's our funding release. In it, we announce that Innovation Ventures has joined us in our A1 round of financing.

Q: Also, how have you managed to secure funding from as many investors as you have?

There are a number of schools of thought on how to do a raise in the video space. A number of companies have raised big rounds,  and are building 'heavy iron'  around video storage and delivery like Move Networks. For us, with software as our core product, and the ability to control costs - it made sense to take a long view of the space and make sure we could raise money in a series of tranches.

We're very proud of our investor group - they're engaged in our business and always looking for ways to help us find customers and build the business.

Q: How has your mascot Magnus helped raise awareness of Magnify?

Magnus is amazing. He literally has traveled around the world.  He's been to South Africa, to London, to Guam, a he's just back from a jaunt to Brooklyn. Our customers are great hosts - and he's really helped us give the service a face. The thing that I think we learned was that our partners and customers really have taught us so much.

When Magnus was 'born'  back last spring, it was just an idea for T- shirts. But the whole 'Magnus World Tour"  (http://www.worldtourblog.magnify.net)  was an idea generated by our users. I think this has been core to why Magnify.net has grown so quickly too  - we've let the market teach us, and we've worked hard to be good students of the space.

For original article, http://www.nyconvergence.com/2008/12/qa-steve-rosenbaum-magnify.html