Andy Klein has yet again started another company called Spotzer (full disclosure: I am investor in Spotzer). If you don't know Andy, I call him the ultimate Serial Entrepreneur. In his short career he has started Spring Street Brewing Company, Wit Capital, Soleil Securities, and SkyBridge Capital. Andy's departure from SkyBridge was a bit unexpected, but he did a great job with them. The team at SkyBridge is left in more than capable hands.
Spotzer is an Amsterdam-based company that is going to make advertising on the television, internet, and all digital media available to local small and medium-sized business. It is much like the US-based company, SpotRunner, that was seeded earlier this year. Coincidentally, SpotRunner has just last month closed on a $40 mm round that includes some key industry players such as WPP Grey, CBS, and InterPublic Group.
The basic concept is to commoditize advertising and allow customization and personalization of ads in a complete and easy to purchase media package. Imagine being a small business owner and paying only $500 dollars to get your ad on the local TV station, billboards, internet users in your zip code, and digital media. Imagine that this low price includes a professionally produced "spot" that is ready to air. This is essentially the mission of Spotzer and Spotrunner.
Although I do not personally think Spotzer is an ingenious ideas, it is a simple concept that has surprisingly not been done before, and it is extremely disruptive. The traditional media and advertising industry is yet another behemoth industry that is ripe for undermining. It is high time that individuals and small businesses access mainstream advertising at a low cost. I believe this company can transform traditional and digital media advertising in much the same way Google has for web advertising.
Andy and his team at Spotzer are pretty stacked with some major European players and they are going to give the young guys at Spotrunner a good challenge. One thing I like about the company other than its management is that it is focused on Europe and based in Amsterdam - a new hotbed of startup activity and a very good place for a company to get listed on the European exchanges. Andy has a good shot at making this happen - Good luck Andy!
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