Playbuzz is among a growing group of media companies specializing in shareable online video to attract major investment.
The New York-based tech start-up recently secured $15 million in a funding round led by Saban Ventures. Walt Disney Company is also among those banking on the company, along with previous investors 83North, Carmel Ventures and FirstTime Ventures.
Playbuzz allows publishers, creators and marketers to create digital content including video clips, quizzes and polls, all designed for social sharing. The investment is expected to be used to upgrade its tech platform and expand its sponsored content business.
The company reaches one billion users across various social networks, and more than 40,000 brand partners and publishers. According to a media release, Playbuzz content is watched all the way through or completed 94% of the time, and social share rates are as high as 15%.
Social-media friendly video has been a hot commodity for investors as of late. Indie studio Gunpowder & Sky recently invested in Cut and Shareability, two companies that create short-form, shareable content, including scripted, unscripted and branded content. The Huffington Post has also partnered with Jukin Media, which specializes in acquiring and licensing short-form viral videos, with Jukin providing HuffPo access to its library of user-generated content to distribute across its various news sites.
Last March, Playbuzz announced $16 million in funding lead by 83North.