Get Smart, Put Your Assets in the Cloud

Image Courtesy of CloudTweaks.com

MyMediabox offers hosted Software-as-a-Service digitial asset management (Mediabox-DAM) and workflow (Mediabox-PA) solutions. Interested in scheduling a demo? Click here.

Anatomy of a SaaS Vendor: Identifying the Key Components and Choosing the Right Partner

Many companies have stepped into the new technological world of cloud-based applications, and this powerful tool is no longer relegated to the IT department.  More than 50% of all users are turning to this type of computing for brand management and other business priorities, and their numbers are growing rapidly – in fact, Business Wire reported in June 2013 that 75% of surveyed businesses use a cloud platform of some kind, and the usage increased dramatically in 2013, up from 67% in 2012.

When you're considering cloud-based software for your own company's product approvals and digital asset management needs, it's an exciting, paradigm-shifting process: you're changing the way your business does business for the better. Selecting the right product and vendor, though, can mean the difference between a successful transition and greater productivity -- or a daily exercise in frustration.

Over the next 10 weeks, we'll be digging deeper into the question of evaluating the most popular type of cloud computing programs, SaaS (Software as a Service), based on their reliability and fit to your business.  We'll explore a variety of best practices for identifying and leveraging the best-in-class vendors and applications, that, well-executed, can positively improve business performance.  Applying these tactics can help to avoid the significant financial, operational, technical, and legal risks which you might confront if you pick the wrong vendor.

A great deal of the initial information-gathering that makes your transition smoother is just a matter of asking tough questions of potential vendors early on.  Some of those are questions like these:

• Does the vendor have the financial strength to weather downturns or other unforeseen risks, or are they one lost customer away from being unable to pay their bills?
• Where are their offices located and can you visit them?
• Are their developers in-house or outsourced, domestic or in a high-risk country?
• How does this vendor address information security?  Do they have an Information Security Officer or other evidence to show you that security is a priority?
• Is the vendor a leader in the space?  Will they disclose their client list or other data to prove their market position?
• If things don't work out for any reason, what happens to your valuable data and assets?

How to find answers to those questions?  Let us help.  This blog series, “Anatomy of a SaaS Vendor,” is intended to offer experience, analysis, and advice on the thorough evaluation of cloud computing licensors in multiple categories.  Having found your own answers to each question, you and your team can come to the best possible decision for your business.

MyMediabox is a leading provider of SaaS hosted applications for digital asset management and style guide delivery (Mediabox-DAM), product approvals and other creative workflows (Mediabox-PA) and deal memo management (Mediabox-DM).  For more information visit us at www.mymediabox.com

MyMediabox New Business Grows More Than 25%

MyMediabox, leading provider of SaaS hosted applications for product approvals (Mediabox-PA), digital asset management (Mediabox-DAM) and deal memo management (Mediabox-DM), welcomes several new clients leading up to Licensing Expo 2013.

Eric Rennagel, CEO and founder of MyMediabox, states “Leading licensors have long recognized Mediabox SaaS applications for style guide/brand asset delivery and creative/product approvals as ‘best-in-class’ solutions within the industry. Now that we are part of Jonas Software USA and its parent, Constellation Software (publicly traded), MyMediabox not only has the resources to expand and accelerate its solutions, but also is in the unique position among SaaS vendors to do so with the financial strength and security of a large parent company behind it. I think this has contributed materially to the flood of new customers into MyMediabox, because we can offer best-of-breed solutions and the security of operational stability; a key decision point for many executives these days who want to be sure they are getting into business with vendors who are financially and technologically stable.”

Since becoming a division of Jonas Software in late 2012, MyMediabox has seen more than a 25% increase in new business, accounting for 27 new Mediabox sites since October 2012. New clients include: Earthbound LLC, DreamWorks Animation, Discovery Communications, Big Ideas, SMC Entertainment, Seattle Aquarium, Elmer’s Glue and Clique Here. Current client, The Cherokee Group, has also expanded their software license to include Mediabox-DAM.

With Mediabox-PA, the entire creative approvals process, from completion of the online approval form, to concept designs though final production sample submissions, online previewing and integrated commenting, automated email notices, role-based approvals workflows, business rules and archiving, is in one easy-to-find online location.

With Mediabox-DAM licensors and agents can organize, manage and deliver high-resolution artwork assets to licensees around the world. Mediabox-DAM provides users with the ability to switch between light box and list views of assets, zoom into images to view details, transform and resize images while downloading, customize proof sheet reports and user and asset activity reports, create private collections of assets for projects, build customized, branded and interactive webpages within the system, and more.

For more information on streamlining your product approvals and style guide delivery or to schedule a demo, visit MyMediabox online at www.mymediabox.com or email marketing@mymediabox.com.

About MyMediabox and Jonas Software
MyMediabox, a division of Jonas Software, was founded by executives with prior direct experience in the Consumer Products Licensing and Media and Entertainment industries. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with an additional office in Cincinnati, Ohio for Software Development and Customer/Tech Support. Today, MyMediabox applications are used daily by over 80 leading Licensors and 33,000+ Licensee Users in 120+ countries.

Jonas Software, a Constellation Software Company, is the leading provider of enterprise management software solutions to the Consumer Product Licensing, Club, Foodservice, Construction, Leisure Fitness & Sports, Attractions, Metal Service Centers, Moving & Storage, Education and Radiology/Laboratory Information Systems industries. Within these ten vertical markets, Jonas boasts 33 distinct brands, all of which are respected and longstanding leaders within their own domain.

Licensors, Licensees and Agents Use MyMediabox for DAM and Product Approvals

Licensors, Licensees and Agents all around the world are choosing MyMediabox for their digital asset management and product approvals workflow. Want the facts? Check out the numbers below.

10+ Years delivering hosted solutions globally. MyMediabox understands your
       needs.

80+ Leading Licensors and Agents with active MyMediabox sites. We have
       earned the stamp of approval.

115+ Countries with active MyMediabox users. We are experienced supporting a
         diverse user population.

125+ MyMediabox websites operating and fully supported by our team. We can
         support you, too.

10,000+ Companies worldwide using MyMediabox to interact with their
                Licensees/Agents. Our systems are widely adopted.

33,000+ Registered users already trained on MyMediabox systems.

MyMediabox is the industry standard.

Visit www.mymediabox.com to learn more about how MyMediabox can help your business save time and money.

Ready to schedule a demo? Click here.

MAGIC Recap!

WWDMagic, Las Vegas Convention Center
February 2013

MAGIC 2013 was a hit! With 10 fashion sub-shows (WWDMagic, FNPlatform, Sourcing, Project, The Tents @ Project, Project MVMNT, Project Mens Wear, PoolTradeshow, ENKVegas and Shop the Floor), more than 5,000 brands and tens of thousands of attendees, MAGIC is the platform for conducting fashion business. 

While typical business at MAGIC consists of buyers placing bulk fashion orders, another area of business has been growing at the show-- licensing. Many fashion brands have already entered the licensing industry, including MyMediabox clients JD Sports and The Cherokee Group. This show MyMediabox associates met with countless fashion brands to discuss the use case of MyMediabox applications for both licensing, as well as brand promotion. 

MyMediabox offers hosted solutions for digital asset management (Mediabox-DAM) and creative workflow approvals (Mediabox-PA). Fashion brands use Mediabox-DAM to store, share and manage brand images (i.e. logos, apparel photos, footwear photos and more). The assets stored in Mediabox-DAM are then used in Mediabox-PA projects. With Mediabox-PA you can manage your creative workflow-- from product designs to promotional materials-- all in one convenient location. 

For more information visit www.mymediabox.com or email marketing@mymediabox.com. Click here to schedule a demo.

More MAGIC week photos:

Various Booths at MAGIC February 2013

Press Release: MyMediabox Rolls Out Upgrades to Product Approvals Application

MyMediabox, provider of SaaS hosted applications for product approvals, digital asset management and deal memo management, rolled out two new upgrades to their product approvals system (Mediabox-PA) in January 2013. Current and prospective clients will now be able to upload multiple files at once; including multipage PDFs. Multipage PDFs can now also be viewed and commented on page-by-page in the markup screen. 

Eric Rennagel, CEO and founder of MyMediabox states, “With our recent acquisition by Jonas Software, the pace at which rollouts of new features occurs has accelerated considerably. Thanks to the involved participation of Mediabox licensors and licensees we have a steady stream of great ideas in our product roadmap to roll out over 2013.”

The new features add to the already robust product approvals system. With Mediabox-PA, the entire creative approvals process, from completion of the online approval form, to concept designs though final production sample submissions, online previewing and integrated commenting, automated email notices, role-based approvals workflows, business rules and archiving, is in one easy-to-find online location. Look for new upgrades every month!

For more information on streamlining your product approvals and style guide delivery or to schedule a demo visit MyMediabox online at www.mymediabox.com or email marketing@mymediabox.com.

For more information about Jonas Software USA visit www.jonassoftware.com.

Meet MyMediabox at MAGIC

Don't miss MyMediabox executives at the MAGIC tradeshow in Las Vegas from February 19 to 21. MyMediabox will be attending the show to demonstrate how current clients like JD Sports and The Cherokee Group utilize Mediabox-DAM (Digital Asset Management) and Mediabox-PA (Product Approvals) applications to streamline their creative approval process. 

For more information or to schedule a meeting at MAGIC, email us at  marketing@mymediabox.

Football Clubs Find Value Add in Financial Services Products

What's better than selling licensed products? Selling licensed products that promote other licensed products. European Football Clubs have established licensing agreements that will offer fans not only new products, but products that provide the opportunity to "earn" other branded merchandise. Specifically, I'm referring to Manchester United and the Chelsea Football Club.

According to License!Global, Manchester United has signed a new licensing deal with the China Construction Bank that will make Man. U. branded credit cards available to the Chinese fan base. Richard Arnold, commerical director of the club, points out, "Manchester United has a huge following in China of 108 million... together with our TV and mobile partners, financial services products give us tangible ways of providing real benefits to our fans that enable them to establish a closer relationship with their favorite team.

Chelsea Football Club MBNA Credit Cards
Image Courtesy of License!Global


Likewise, the Chelsea Football Club has renewed their licensing contract with MBNA that provides UK fans with Chelsea branded credit cards. In addition to showing their team spirit, fans can earn points when they use their Chelsea credit card. Points can then be redeemed for more Chelsea merchandise!

Interersted in streamlining your product approvals process? Ask us how we've helped the Tottenham Hotspur Football Club improve their approvals process. Click here to schedule a demo.

MyMediabox offers hosted applications for style guide delivery (Mediabox-DAM) and product approvals (Mediabox-PA). For more information, visit www.mymediabox.com or email marketing@mymediabox.com.

V&A Museum Ramps Up Licensing

MyMediabox client, V&A Museum, has signed two new licensees-- Marks, a Japanese stationary firm and Coast, a retail brand. Licensing out the rights to iconic patterns has allowed the museum to bring in revenue, that without licensing could have remain unrealized.

Marks will launch their V&A inspired products in Q1 and Q2 of 2013. The products will be available in Japan, Europe and the US. According to Licensing.biz, Coast's V&A ballgown line will launch in the spring of 2014 and replicate "the romantic and dramatic qualities of the V&A's renowned collection."

If you are interested in learning how MyMediabox software helps facilitate the creative approvals process for V&A Museum and other clients visit our website at  www.mymediabox.com. Ready for a demo? Click here. 

2012 BLE Stats Released!

2012 BLE Tradeshow Floor
Image Courtesy of Hungeree.com

After enjoying a successful show at Brand Licensing Europe, we were not suprised to hear that this years expo broke all previous records. According to Licensing.biz, this years BLE had the highest attendance since its inception 14 years ago.



Total attendance reached more than 9,100 with visitor attendance up 23% and exhibitor attendance up 20%. 2013 dates have already been set, with almost 3/4 of the floor space already sold! If you missed BLE this year, be sure to attend next year. We will see you there!




The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Hit the Streets of London during BLE
Image Coutesy of Licensing.biz

Product Approval Testimonial: Lazytown

"We have been very impressed with the Mediabox-PA system since we started using it in January 2010. In addition to being easy to learn and use, Mediabox has helped us streamline our process, resulting in faster turnaround times. We estimate that since implementing Mediabox, we have reduced turnaround time by approximately 50%. It's great to have all material and comments regarding a submission in one place, as well as to be able to generate reports with a couple of clicks and add reviewer team members to individual projects when needed. After using Mediabox we can't imagine going back to our old system!"

Click here to schedule a demo to learn how the MyMediabox suite can streamline the licensing process for you.

Brand Licensing Europe Recap

Brand Licensing Europe is over and we had a fantastic time!

BLE Tradeshow Floor

 

With three full days at the show we were able to catch up with exisiting clients, as well as demonstrate the MyMediabox suite to other interested companies. The expo was a great chance to showcase the 2012 upgrades to Mediabox-PA (a new UI, messaging, bulk close and more) and the ease of integration with the Deal Memo module.

Boasting more than 280 leading rights owners and over 2,200 of the most popular brands, this years Brand Licensing Europe was a definite must for anyone in the consumer products licensing space. If you missed the show be sure to check out the MyMediabox suite at www.mymediabox.com.

Click here to schedule a demo.

Get Smart, Put Your Assets in the Cloud



Image Courtesy of CloudTweaks.com


MyMediabox offers hosted Software-as-a-Service digitial asset management (Mediabox-DAM) and workflow (Mediabox-PA) solutions. Interested in scheduling a demo? Click here.