Fantag Taps Former Apple Exec to Help Transform the Sports Video Market

SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Fantag, a pioneer in mobile video technology, announced today that it has hired John Stone as its chief operating officer (COO). Among his many posts in the technology world, John served as a vice president at Apple, reporting directly to then-COO Tim Cook (now CEO of Apple), after the company acquired PowerSchool, a startup John co-founded in 1999 and which today serves 100 million users in 70 countries. 

At Fantag, John will help operationalize the company's business development activity and position Fantag for future strategic partnerships.

"John's distinguished track record in growing early-stage companies, and his knowledge of the sports ecosystem, makes him an ideal teammate at Fantag," said Brian Dombrowski, founder and CEO at Fantag. "Also, as one of our early investors, John understands our history and vision to join us and make immediate impact."

Transforming the multi-billion dollar sports video market

Fantag's mobile video platform -- currently in beta and going live later this year -- enables spectators at live events to capture and share their favorite moments with the simple tap on their phone, and without having to actually record the video themselves. The company, which formally launched in Sacramento in early 2017, has identified the multi-billion dollar sports video market as its first vertical, and has already attracted major industry partners and investors in youth, high school, and professional sports.

John brings a wealth of knowledge and connections to leaders in the sports industry. While at Bain & Company, he consulted Nike and the NFL regarding their internet strategies.  More recently, he advised the NBA's Sacramento Kings on their opportunity to redesign the live sports and entertainment experience in the team's new home at Golden 1 Center, a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment facility. John also serves as the board chair of the Sacramento chapter of the Positive Coaching Alliance, a national non-profit organization serving youth and high school sports.

Exponentially augmenting the ROI on video

"We are entering a new frontier of video consumption with radical transformation as to how media is being created, experienced, and shared", said John. "Fantag has both the team and technology to help industry leaders rethink the live experience for their fans and followers. Very simply, Fantag shortens the distance between video consumers and video creators.  In the process, we create new ways for event producers, sports organizations, and media companies to get an exponential return on their investment in video."

Following his tenure at Apple, John became an early investor in technology companies including Data Domain (acquired by EMC), Silver Springs Network, DataScaler (acquired by Oracle), Dotspotter (acquired by CBS) and Bloom Energy (recent IPO filing).  More recently, he expanded his investment reach into top retail brand companies such as Stance and Ember. Soon after an introduction to Fantag's founder Brian Dombrowski, John mobilized an early round of seed funding for the company. With his new role, he's now ready to contribute at a greater level of impact for the company's next stage of growth and maturation.

"John is joining the Fantag leadership team at the best possible time," said Cheryl Beninga, board member and chief financial officer for Fantag and a former venture capitalist at Intel Capital. "The door is opening for partnerships and strategic investments, and John brings the right mix of strategy and executional expertise to help us manage the growth."

About Us

Fantag, a pioneer in mobile video technology, enables producers and spectators of live events to capture and share their favorite moments with the simple touch of the screen. With a patent-approved platform that synchronizes mobile phones with camera feeds, Fantag is poised to engage a number of large markets -- beginning with youth, high school, collegiate, and professional sports -- where fans everywhere are looking to relive the moments that matter most to them.

With offices in Silicon Valley and Sacramento, Fantag's advisers and investors comprise leaders in the sports ecosystem including executives at NBC, StubHub, and Telestream; members of the ownership group of the NBA's Sacramento Kings; and Moneta Ventures, a fund focused on early-stage companies. For more information, please visit http://www.fantag.live.

Contact:
Giovanni Rodriguez
6502798415
[email protected]

SOURCE Fantag