Using Branded Products in Hangout
Business Development has begun its quest to get additional branded content into the rooms. We would love your feedback. What are some brands you would like to see in Hangout?
Add comment June 30, 2009
White Water Bonding
The two Hangout teams from LA and Boston took a road trip to Jackman Maine together for some rafting and bonding. The weather was in the 40’s and the water was rough, but that did not stop us. We toughed it out. I think the snazzy wetsuits helped. By the end of the day, the team was all smiles eating s’mores and sitting around a campfire. It was deemed a very successful bonding trip!
Add comment June 26, 2009
Mike Goslin: up close and personal
Mike Goslin has recently joined Hangout from Disney. We thought we would let you get to know him a little better.
Mike is currently the VP of Product Development at Hangout. This means he is responsible for everything having to do with with the Hangout product which includes, design, development, and operations. He also helps out with marketing, business development, PR, and whatever else comes along.
Mike spared a few minutes for an interview and this is what was discussed:
Hangout: What made you want to come to Hangout?
Mike: I was looking for something different. I had been at a very large company for a long time and thought I would try something more entrepreneurial. Hangout was an opportunity to join a small company that already had momentum in an area of entertainment that is very interesting to me – social media and games.
Hangout: How long have you been working at Hangout now?
Mike: A few months already. Where does the time go?
Hangout: What changes if any are you making to Hangout?
Mike: The team and I are totally revamping the product to reflect some new learnings in both the entertainment and social media fields. We are really excited about the new look.
Hangout: You worked at Disney before coming to Hangout, what was your position there?
Mike: I was VP of Virtual World Design and Development. I oversaw several development teams and was responsible for design and development of a portfolio of virtual words and massively multiplayer online games.
Hangout: What is different about your job at Hangout from your previous job at Disney?
Mike: The team is much smaller at Hangout, and things move quite a bit faster.
Hangout: Are there any similarities between your new job at Hangout and your old job at Disney?
Mike: The focus on building world class entertainment for a broad audience is the same at Hangout as it was at Disney. The team-oriented culture and work ethic are similar also.
Hangout: What, if anything, are you going to take from Disney to use towards your experience at Hangout?
Mike: I’m going to continue to focus on the customer and the player experience as we always did at Disney.
Hangout: How long have you worked with Joe and Daniel, who also came with you from Disney?
Mike: More than ten years. Joe was an intern at Imagineering the summer I started in 1996. Daniel joined a year later.
Hangout: What is your favorite feature on Hangout?
Mike: I like how easy it is to install and get into.
Hangout: What is unique about the audience at Hangout?
Mike: They haven’t quite found a game or experience online that suits their need to express themselves, stay connected, and play games.
Hangout: I know you are looking to incorporate more teen brands into the rooms, can you tell us more?
Mike: Our audience demands authenticity and a certain level of realism. Real brands are part of teen culture, and they make the world more authentic and realistic. It would be strange if it was all made-up stuff.
Hangout: Are you excited about some of the Boston team moving to LA?
Mike: I sure am. It will be nice to have everyone in one place so we can get busy building out the product.
Hangout: Is there anything else you want to say to our Users?
Mike: I can’t wait to share some of the things we are working on – stay tuned.
Add comment June 24, 2009
Sorry for not posting recently…we have been busy at Hangout!
Here are some recent changes:
* Mike Goslin and his Disney team are new to Hangout but they are already making moves.
*Members of the Boston team moved out to our LA office last week. LA is quite an important place for 3D and animation development, so it is a great opportunity for them. The LA team is really excited to have them there! The Hangout Bostonians are excited for them too! or jealous rather — they get to work on their tan!!
Add comment June 22, 2009
Hanging Out in Style
The Hangout Team
Add comment April 16, 2009
Bust a Move on Hangout
The Hangout Team
Add comment April 3, 2009
More Updates From Hangout!
The Hangout Team
Add comment March 20, 2009
Hangout Welcomes Mike Goslin
Today we have the privilege of announcing the addition of Mike Goslin to the Hangout team as the Vice President Product Development. Mike joins Hangout from Disney Online where he was vice president development and built products such as ToonTown, Pirates of the Carribean Online, and Fairies. We’re thrilled to have Mike on board and looking forward to seeing him continue the acceleration of Hangout.net as a leading 3D social network.
Mike’s products are recognized worldwide and have received numerous awards and accolades including the 2005 WiredKids Safe Gaming Award, 2005 Webby Awards “Webby Worthy Selection”, 2004 Game Industry News Family Game of the Year, 2003 Computer Gaming World MMORPG of the Year, 2003 Webby Awards People’s Voice Award, The New York Times Top 10 Games of the Year 2003, and 2002 Outstanding Attraction from the Themed Entertainment Association.
As a Business Development executive I can’t emphasize enough how happy I am to have Mike as part of our time. Mike’s joining is both an affirmation of the momentum that Hangout.net has built, and an incredible addition to our development and creative team. I’m really looking forward to working with Mike and excited about the experience that we will deliver to our loyal users.
Bob Mountain
Vice President Sales and Business Development
See http://partners.hangout.net/PressRelease.aspx for the full press release.
Add comment March 19, 2009
This week in Hangout
Hangout is Going Green
We’ve added some new St. Patrick’s items that you can use to pimp your room. We’ve also created a new forum where you can come and talk about your favorite environmentally friendly products and we’ll try and incorporate them into the site. Go to the St. Patty’s Room.
Think You’re VIP Material
Want VIP access? Send us an email to VIP@hangout.net explaining in one sentence why you should have special privileges. Find out what is hidden behind the lock.
Brand New Posters
Did you buy a poster from Poster Art? You will notice those are gone, but we are giving you DOUBLE your coins to buy new ones with artwork from Threadless.com. Or use those extra coins and put a leprechaun in your room.
The Hangout Team
Add comment March 6, 2009
Hangout Keeps Getting Better
Win an iPod Touch this Valentine’s Day
Design the best Valentine’s room and win an iPod touch. To win, send screenshots to Contest@hangout.net. For more information click here.
Congratulations Amanda from Cary, Illinois
Amanda won the room decoration contest for her manor design. She was awarded 50,000 Coin and her room can be seen here.
Tip of the Week
To change your perspective, click on the eye-ball in the lower dock or use the scroll button on your mouse to zoom in or out. You can also hold the right mouseto change your camera angle.
Add comment February 20, 2009
