Zeebox’s rebrand to Beamly last night has Jimmy Storrier, general manager, believing they are close to becoming an industry contender in the second screen arena.
The rebrand is a celebration of the app’s development over its two year lifespan.
“Second screen space is evolving,” Storrier said. “We’re evolving with it.”
“What we do now is a social and content network with second screen experience as well. Because it [second screen] has evolved so much over the past 18 months, we thought a new name, a new identity, was probably relevant. So Zeebox is becoming Beamly.”
With the new Beamly app, available iOS, Android and online, users can share content on social networks, follow their favourite shows to find out tidbits and interact in real-time with others about their favourite shows.
“The initial phase of social television and second screen was limited to apps providing a companion experience for audiences while watching TV,” Ernesto Schmitt, CEO and co-founder, said.
“However, people’s emotional engagement with TV spans the whole day: they want to read up on stories about the shows and stars they love in the morning, discuss plotlines over the watercooler in the afternoon, and carefully plan what to watch in the evening – long before ever switching on the TV itself.
“While they watch, they want a great interactive experience that synchs with what’s on screen. And after the show is over, they want to chat and share social with other fans.”
According to Craig Blair, chairman of Beamly Australia, the introduction of the new social features has already increased engagement with the app to over 70,000 people per week.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfUN_D5pEfY
