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SBD/March 5, 2013/Media
ESPN Drops Majority Of Apple Apps, Citing High Cost Of Maintenance
Published March 5, 2013
App makers are “coping with the shifting landscape by being more selective about what they build and how they promote their apps,” according to Lessin & Ante of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. ESPN Mobile Senior VP & GM Michael Bayle said that the company “recently decommissioned 23 of its 30 Apple apps it had been maintaining, and kept alive its most popular ones.” ESPN “dropped an app” for L.A.-based sports, “but kept its popular ScoreCenter app.” Bayle said, "It's easy to make an app but the real expense is in maintaining it” (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 3/4).
FANNECT CORE: In K.C., Blair Kerkhoff noted Fannect is a smartphone app “with the objective of measuring the knowledge, passion and dedication of fans.” Fannect “made its first inroads” at the Univ. of Kansas, “setting up an information table and handing out business cards.” KU men’s basketball coach Bill Self is “expected to spread Fannect’s brand from his Twitter account.” The company also “plans marketing forays into other colleges” and the Chiefs, Royals and MLS Sporting KC. These costs will “come out of the $500,000 Fannect has raised through investors.” Fannect to generate income features “unobtrusive brand logos on its screenshots and is in discussions” with IMG College and Learfield Sports (K.C. STAR, 3/3).
FORWARD THINKING: In Orlando, Josh Robbins reported Hornets F Ryan Anderson “helped fund an app available on the Apple and Android platforms called ‘Hide It! Head to Head Hidden Object Game.’” The app was “created and developed by Straton Wilhelm, one of Anderson’s best friends.” The game “launched in mid-December.” Three other people “have invested in the project so far,” including Ryan DeVos, grandson of Magic Owner Rich DeVos (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 3/3).
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FANNECT CORE: In K.C., Blair Kerkhoff noted Fannect is a smartphone app “with the objective of measuring the knowledge, passion and dedication of fans.” Fannect “made its first inroads” at the Univ. of Kansas, “setting up an information table and handing out business cards.” KU men’s basketball coach Bill Self is “expected to spread Fannect’s brand from his Twitter account.” The company also “plans marketing forays into other colleges” and the Chiefs, Royals and MLS Sporting KC. These costs will “come out of the $500,000 Fannect has raised through investors.” Fannect to generate income features “unobtrusive brand logos on its screenshots and is in discussions” with IMG College and Learfield Sports (K.C. STAR, 3/3).
FORWARD THINKING: In Orlando, Josh Robbins reported Hornets F Ryan Anderson “helped fund an app available on the Apple and Android platforms called ‘Hide It! Head to Head Hidden Object Game.’” The app was “created and developed by Straton Wilhelm, one of Anderson’s best friends.” The game “launched in mid-December.” Three other people “have invested in the project so far,” including Ryan DeVos, grandson of Magic Owner Rich DeVos (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 3/3).
