Grabyo announced its expansion into North and South America with the opening of its new HQ in N.Y. and appointment of sports and entertainment exec Mike Kelley to serve as the president of the Americas, according to Toby Marriott of DIGITAL SPORT. The move will enable Grabyo to capitalize on the "growing demand for cloud video technology among TV rights owners, sports leagues and media companies in the region as they look to build audiences on popular digital platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube." The company is "already working with a number of prominent rights owners" in the U.S. including beIN Sports and Rugby Int'l Marketing, which owns the The Rugby Channel OTT service. Grabyo’s cloud-based platform "removes the traditional complexities and costs of professional video production, editing, and distribution." Kelley previously led business development and strategy for OTT platform company NeuLion -- with clients such as the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLS. Grabyo has "forged strong partnerships with the world’s preeminent media and technology companies," including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Periscope and Snapchat (DIGITAL SPORT, 3/10).
