It gives me great pleasure to report on a positive development in these markets, especially when it involves one of my best friends. Specifically,Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) today announced an agreement to invest in, and enter a commercial agreement with, Pingg Corp. (www.pingg.com), an online event management site that offers stylish invitations and easy-to-use event planning tools.
Pingg was created by seasoned entrepreneurs Lorien Gabel and Matt Harrop, who together have founded, built and sold two successful technology startups. Yep, they’re on the verge of taking web business #3Â parabolic while I still toil here at AGORACOM :-).
The site offers customizable invitations that can be delivered electronically, in print or shared on a social network. Pingg is taking on long-time incumbant Evite by bringing a fresh Web 2.0 perspective to the space.
Pingg.com was launched in February 2008, a whole 8 months ago and has already managed to attract MSLO to the table.  Sick I tell you, just sick. I am password protecting this post from my wife and shareholders (Lorien is actually a shareholder).
Since then, approximately 2.5 million invitations have been sent through Pingg.com. Its business model combines both online advertising and paid services.
If I can take any revenge on Lorien and Matt, it is in posting their ridiculous profile pics below + telling the world that Lorien’s middle name is “Tree” and Matt’s hair color was blue when he founded start-up #1. Now I feel better.
Congrats boys. Much love and respect for yet another job well done.
Regards,
George