Sports industry veteran Harvey Schiller has agreed to become chairman of lettrs Inc., a developing New York-based media and electronic signature outfit.
Schiller, whose prior posts include U.S. Olympic Committee executive director and Turner Sports president among many others, also participated in a $3 million Series A funding round for the company.
The company is set to debut a new digital signature product called Twignature. The product applies a level of biometric verification to social media communication, allowing athletes and other personalities to personalize and more directly monetize their tweets. Twignature operates somewhat similarly to electronic signature technology DocuSign, but is designed specifically for social and mobile platforms.
In addition to the digital signatures, the Twignature product also allows for drawings and other customizations for tweets beyond the standard text, photos and videos. Twignature’s authentication technology also includes a sponsorable seal of authentication that is designed to be sold to brands and serve as a revenue source, particularly for charitable purposes.
The MLB Players Association last year aligned with lettrs to develop digital messaging-based memorabilia and fan messaging with players, and additional sports alignments are being targeted under Schiller’s guidance. Other investors and advisers for lettrs include ESPN broadcaster Karl Ravech, Relevant Sports Executive Chairman Charlie Stillitano and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins.
“We think this can really expand the notion of an authenticated signature,” Schiller said.
The role for Schiller is expected to be more of a part-time one, and he is expected to maintain his other commitments, which include advising the College Sports Management Group, led by Ray Katz and Michael Schreck.
