Ryan Magnussen
Encyclopedia
Ryan Magnussen is an American businessperson and media entrepreneur. In 1995, he founded Zentropy Partners
, which grew to become the fifth-largest interactive advertising agency in the United States. Magnussen started Hollywood-based Ripe Digital Entertainment
in 2003 and closed it in 2009, after selling Zentropy to Interpublic Group for $50 million in 1999, according to the Wall Street Journal.
, Marshall School of Business
in 1995. During his time as an undergraduate at USC, he developed an award-winning business plan for a class project that would eventually grow to become Zentropy Partners
, according to the Los Angeles Business Journal.
, an interactive advertising and branding company, in 1995 just prior to the dot-com boom. Under his leadership, the "thriving Web-design firm" hit $80 million in annual revenue in three years. Global advertising conglomerate Interpublic Group acquired Zentropy in 1999 for $50 million. In 2001, Zentropy was folded into the MRM Worldwide division of McCann-Erickson.
In 2002, Magnussen founded Ripe Digital Entertainment, a media company that developed video-on-demand television networks for cable, the Internet, and wireless devices. Ripe launched three on-demand networks — Ripe TV
, Octane TV
and Flow TV
. In October 2006, Time Warner
, Hearst-Argyle Television, and other venture-capital firms invested $32 million in Ripe Digital Entertainment to fund additional networks.
Magnussen's RipeTV targeted a young, male audience with short-form programming that was available on cable television, broadband, and mobile devices. As of October 2006, the on-demand network was broadcasting in 20 million homes via Comcast
and Time Warner
, and it drew an average of three to four million views per month, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Pioneered by Magnussen and partners, Ripe Digital Entertainment's "immersive advertising" model allowed viewers to watch programs and ads simultaneously as commercial messages were embedded in each show. Big-name sponsors that advertised on Ripe Digital Entertainment networks include Chrysler
's Dodge, Cingular, and Procter & Gamble
's Old Spice. But once the $32 million dollars invested was gone, Ripe Digital Entertainment's programming ended in June 2009.
Zentropy Partners
Zentropy Partners is the defunct name for an existing global internet professional services company headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. The company was co-founded by and Ryan Magnussen in 1995 with the aim of becoming the global provider of Internet services...
, which grew to become the fifth-largest interactive advertising agency in the United States. Magnussen started Hollywood-based Ripe Digital Entertainment
Ripe Digital Entertainment
Ripe Digital Entertainment was an on-demand digital entertainment company with television networks. RDE was founded by CEO Ryan Magnussen. Launched in 2005, RDE was credited with developing the first multi-platform television on demand network, offering instant access to men’s lifestyle...
in 2003 and closed it in 2009, after selling Zentropy to Interpublic Group for $50 million in 1999, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Education
Magnussen graduated from the University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
, Marshall School of Business
Marshall School of Business
The USC Marshall School of Business is a private research and academic institution at the University of Southern California. It is the largest of USC's 17 professional schools. The current Dean is James G. Ellis. In 1997 the school was renamed following a US$35 million donation from alumnus Gordon S...
in 1995. During his time as an undergraduate at USC, he developed an award-winning business plan for a class project that would eventually grow to become Zentropy Partners
Zentropy Partners
Zentropy Partners is the defunct name for an existing global internet professional services company headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. The company was co-founded by and Ryan Magnussen in 1995 with the aim of becoming the global provider of Internet services...
, according to the Los Angeles Business Journal.
Business ventures
Magnussen formed Zentropy PartnersZentropy Partners
Zentropy Partners is the defunct name for an existing global internet professional services company headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. The company was co-founded by and Ryan Magnussen in 1995 with the aim of becoming the global provider of Internet services...
, an interactive advertising and branding company, in 1995 just prior to the dot-com boom. Under his leadership, the "thriving Web-design firm" hit $80 million in annual revenue in three years. Global advertising conglomerate Interpublic Group acquired Zentropy in 1999 for $50 million. In 2001, Zentropy was folded into the MRM Worldwide division of McCann-Erickson.
In 2002, Magnussen founded Ripe Digital Entertainment, a media company that developed video-on-demand television networks for cable, the Internet, and wireless devices. Ripe launched three on-demand networks — Ripe TV
Ripe TV
RipeTV was the first Television On Demand network to offer programming over multiple platforms . The network, which launched in 2002 by Ryan Magnussen, targeted an audience of 18-34 males, with mostly short-form content...
, Octane TV
Octane TV
The second network launched by Ripe Digital Entertainment, Octane TV in August 2006, provided motor sports entertainment. Like Ripe Digital Entertainment’s other networks, Octane TV utilized short-form programming with embedded advertising. Octane TV's programming ended in June 2009.- Programming...
and Flow TV
Flow TV
Flow TV was the third network launched by Ripe Digital Entertainment. In April 2007, Flow TV delivered short-form programming to Cable On Demand subscribers through Comcast, Time-Warner, and a host of other nationally available MSOs...
. In October 2006, Time Warner
Time Warner
Time Warner is one of the world's largest media companies, headquartered in the Time Warner Center in New York City. Formerly two separate companies, Warner Communications, Inc...
, Hearst-Argyle Television, and other venture-capital firms invested $32 million in Ripe Digital Entertainment to fund additional networks.
Magnussen's RipeTV targeted a young, male audience with short-form programming that was available on cable television, broadband, and mobile devices. As of October 2006, the on-demand network was broadcasting in 20 million homes via Comcast
Comcast
Comcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
and Time Warner
Time Warner
Time Warner is one of the world's largest media companies, headquartered in the Time Warner Center in New York City. Formerly two separate companies, Warner Communications, Inc...
, and it drew an average of three to four million views per month, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Pioneered by Magnussen and partners, Ripe Digital Entertainment's "immersive advertising" model allowed viewers to watch programs and ads simultaneously as commercial messages were embedded in each show. Big-name sponsors that advertised on Ripe Digital Entertainment networks include Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
's Dodge, Cingular, and Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble is a Fortune 500 American multinational corporation headquartered in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio and manufactures a wide range of consumer goods....
's Old Spice. But once the $32 million dollars invested was gone, Ripe Digital Entertainment's programming ended in June 2009.
External links
- RipeTV, official site
- OctaneTV, official site
- FlowTV, official site
- MRM Worldwide, official site