The majority of digital video consumption is taking place in apps; video ad CPMs are 10x higher than the average cost of a traditional display ad; mobile ad spending has increased more than 80% this year alone.
These three stats are a large part of the reason that Grabyo – a real-time, cloud-based, video solutions provider – is announcing today that it has raised $2 million from Premier League stars Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie, New York Red Bulls star Thierry Henry and the San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker. In July, Grabyo provided social video solutions to the All England Lawn Tennis Club for Wimbledon and powered a video gallery on Wimbledon.com.
“Having leading stars in global sport backing us is testament to the momentum we’re now enjoying as demand for real-time video accelerates,” said Gareth Capon, CEO of Grabyo. “Premium rights holders now recognise the value of making content available wherever their customers spend their time, which is increasingly on social mobile apps. Meanwhile, brands increasingly want to align with premium video content and engage consumers at scale. As a result, video, mobile and social are the most important growth sectors of the global advertising industry – and Grabyo sits across all three.”
Grabyo is certainly a social TV platform to watch. Founded in 2013, the company has already worked with BSkyB, ITV and Channel 5 (in the UK) and provided solutions for the FIFA World Cup, La Liga, Wimbledon, The Ryder Cup, UEFA Champions League and the BRIT Awards. According to the release, the round of funding will used by Grabyo to expand its reach in Europe and North America.
Exciting news at @Grabyo HQ: see what @ThierryHenry, @cesc4official, @Persie_Official and @tonyparker have to say. https://t.co/LEnqJEuXvO
— Grabyo (@Grabyo) November 25, 2014