Valleywag

Posts Tagged “

ricky van veen

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clips

Classic Jakob Lodwick video further explains post-Lodwick productivity surge


Even when Manhattan's favorite Internet hipster Jakob Lodwick isn't high, he's not that hard-working. Connected Ventures cofounder Zach Klein reminisces about the early days of Connected Ventures, the IAC-backed testosteronefest behind CollegeHumor and Vimeo. Lodwick leads the startup's crew in singing "Semi-Charmed Kind of Life," and trashes cofounder Ricky Van Veen's cardboard cutout of Shaquille O'Neal. Any questions on why Vimeo's performance soared after IAC fired Lodwick? shaq attack from Amir Cohen on Vimeo.

12:00 PM on Mon Aug 4 2008
By Owen Thomas
485 views, 4 comments

Latest by dotbombing: @w00zy33: Slight? Totally. more »

facebook

In Facebook's stead, Valleywag handily dispatches CollegeHumor beer pong team

Earlier this month, employees in Facebook's New York office challenged employees at IAC property CollegeHumor to a game of beer pong via an ad in CollegeHumor's Facebook network. CollegeHumor took the challenge, but as we reported, Facebook's new management forced its employees to back out of the contest. It was an embarrassing development for all those who, like Facebook, call the Valley home — including Valleywag. More »

4:40 PM on Thu May 29 2008
By Nicholas Carlson
1,604 views, 7 comments

Latest by eze: nicholas, you already struck me as the type of guy who would be good at beer pong. this confirms it. more »

nerdfight

Facebook caters to CollegeHumor with greasy apology

Due to "PR concerns" — or rather, new COO Sheryl Sandberg's excessively grownup attitude — Facebook bailed on a scheduled game of beer pong against CollegeHumor. The people at CollegeHumor, an IAC subsidiary, were certainly nonplussed. But Facebook is flush with cash. Sure, it's supposed to go toward server upgrades, but sometimes bribery through food is a better investment. More »

12:00 PM on Fri May 16 2008
By Nicholas Carlson
1,690 views, 5 comments

Latest by dingdongditch: @DanLar75: You can, it is called Costco. Between 12-3pm you can eat all the wings, chips, cheese, sausage samples your more »

cubicle culture

Facebook vs. CollegeHumor beer pong canceled

The smack-talk inspiring contest of beer pong — known as beiruit in some quarters — scheduled between Facebook and IAC subsidiary CollegeHumor is off. Why? Because Facebook's PR and legal departments said so, CollegeHumor cofounder Ricky Van Veen told our tipster:
Facebook's PR and Legal dept said they can't participate. I guess that's what its like working in corporate America as opposed to a fun Internet company.
It's official: IAC's Barry Diller is the Web world's Fun Dad, while Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, brought in from Google to make Mark Zuckerberg's teen paradise more corporate, is Downer Mom. Cheer up, though, little Facebookers: Mother Sandberg did let you stay out late at the prom. Update: CollegeHumor is sad because they won't get to play with the smack-talk inscribed balls they designed specifically for this contest — pictured below. More »

11:40 AM on Thu May 15 2008
By Nicholas Carlson
6,429 views, 10 comments

Latest by RooftopComedy: Hey CollegeHumor, the beer pong masters at RooftopComedy.com will take your sorry action. We'll even let Facebook watch the beat down more »

online advertising

CollegeHumor smack talk hits Facebook where it hurts -- the click-through rates

When Google took on Facebook in ultimate frisbee, Facebook took the series 2-0. Now we hear a contest of beer pong — the drinking game involving ping pong balls, Solo cups and Milwaukee's Best — has been scheduled between Mark Zuckerberg's finest and the New York-based, IAC-backed CollegeHumor. CollegeHumor cofounder Ricky Van Veen began the smack talk early posting the above image to his blog. It reads:
Dear Facebook, Looking forward to Thursday. Your winning percentage will be even lower than your click-through rates. Love, CollegeHumor

9:40 AM on Tue May 13 2008
By Nicholas Carlson
2,181 views, 16 comments

Latest by newzealand1: uhm, it's called privacy settings. and now even high rollers are on facebook...like all the big guns at GOOGLE, famous celebrities more »

valleyspeak

Five words or phrases to short on the slang stock exchange

CollegeHumor cofounder Ricky Van Veen has decided to short the word "douche."
After a strong resurgence in 2005 and showing strong staying power through 2007, lately most of the people I've seen use it fit into two categories: 1) people over 40 who have finally had the word passed down the cool chain from their younger friends and coworkers. 2) the "douches" originally being described themselves.
We second this call. In fact, our own very special correspondent banned douche not long ago. Below, five more words we'd like to see tank. State your portfolio position and suggest other picks in the comments. More »

6:00 AM on Tue Apr 29 2008
By Nicholas Carlson
1,906 views, 16 comments

Latest by Peteski: meh wannapreneur traction traction traction more »

silicon alley users guide

How to upgrade your Tumblr theme so people will think you're cool

David Karp's blogging platform Tumblr, popular with creative types and those who dress like them in Sanfrooklyn, allows its users to modify their themes. And, just like the kids on MySpace, the users show them off to each other. Custom Tumblr themes have real social currency. Much like collecting pogs in sixth grade. And, as with pogs, you can be the rich kid and just buy yourself social superiority — Digg founder Kevin Rose and Connected Ventures cofounder Ricky Van Veen bought themes from Tumblize.com for $499. But for those of you on a college student or barista budget, click through for our step-by-step guide on how upgrading your Tumblr theme with no CSS, HTML or any other nerdy acronyms required. More »

12:40 PM on Fri Apr 25 2008
By Nicholas Carlson
7,455 views, 18 comments

Latest by smartastic: @vulturesquadron: good idea! while he's doing that, maybe he could get you a book on senses of humor! more »

clips

Unlike Zuckerberg, CollegeHumor parodies Steve Jobs on purpose

Mark Zuckerberg wants to be the Steve Jobs of his generation. But his fumbling speeches have only shown how far he has to go. A tip, Zuck: Study CollegeHumor's parody. From the gesticulations to the light lip-smacking, the comedy website's mock Jobs keynote nails the Apple CEO. Look for CollegeHumor cofounder Ricky Van Veen's cameo as John Mayer at the end of the clip. More »

8:00 PM on Tue Apr 15 2008
By Nicholas Carlson
3,311 views, 14 comments

Latest by Fidel on the Roof: @Fidel on the Roof: Um... now that I thought about it, OJ simpson and President Bush do have some things more »

great moments in pr

CollegeHumor founder won't sue Take Two Interactive for patent infringement

Ricky Van Veen, founder of sophomoric entertainment site CollegeHumor, was surprised to see one of his inventions pop up in a box of promotional schwag for the new Grand Theft Auto IV game from Take Two Interactive. No, it wasn't some nifty new electronic gadget, but a simple foam fan hand — in the shape of the "shocker." Yes, the savvy Van Veen actually patented the thing. But no, he won't be suing:
Lucky for them, they're one of CollegeHumor's biggest advertising clients. Though I must admit a high drama court case over "the shocker" would be a funny thing to see.

1:40 PM on Tue Apr 15 2008
By Jackson West
522 views, 4 comments

Latest by Fidel on the Roof: Sometimes I dream about an intelligent patent office czar taking over and cleaning house. No patenting "one click" which is the more »

explainer

How to stop reading Tumblr blogs

Tumblr differs from most blog software: It doesn't just let you post entries; it also provides an interface for reading the blogs of other Tumblr users. In that regard, it's duplicating a feature available on LiveJournal for a decade — and yet its users still manage to find it befuddling. "Right now I'm following 35 people," Connected Ventures cofounder Rickvy Van Veen writes on his personal blog.
Most of those people know how to use Tumblr responsibly and only post when they have something worthwhile to say. Others don't. First execution: Julia Allison. 40 posts a day? Are you f—-ing kidding?
Executing friends is a great idea, Ricky! But what if you're like the New York Observer's Doree Shafrir — yes, the writer who recently profiled Tumblr CEO David Karp — and you don't know how to stop following someone on the site? Never fear, Valleywag's here to help you knock off your most annoying friends. More »

3:20 PM on Thu Jan 24 2008
By Nicholas Carlson
1,704 views, 6 comments

Latest by raincoaster: @fear_me: thinking it over, it DID get her some coverage, even outside of the Gawker Media playpen. I'd pull something more »