Interactive TV Company, Ensequence, Raises $20 Million, Names Peter Low President and CEO

Portland, Oregon-based interactive TV authoring solutions provider, Ensequence (note: the company--whose customers include MTV Networks, NBC Universal, ESPN, MLB Advanced Media, QVC UK, HSN, Nike, Ford Motor Company, Hewlett-Packard, Comcast, DirecTV, Time Warner, DISH Network, Verizon and BSkyB--has raised over $100 million to date), announced last week that it had secured an additional $20 million in funding, and that it had appointed Peter Low, who was formerly president and COO, as president and CEO. He replaces Dalen Harrison, who Ensequence says will remain on its board of directors and "continue to develop new business opportunities" for the company.

Prior to joining Ensequence, Low spent 10 years as EVP of cable distribution and marketing for MTV and BET Networks. "We've made significant strides to position ourselves at the forefront of the interactive television industry," Low said in a prepared statement. "The latest round of funding allows us to build on our strong momentum--enabling us to continue offering programmers, distributors and advertisers the most compelling interactive experiences available. This funding represents an extreme vote of confidence in Ensequence in a challenging business environment."

Ensequence's new funding round was led by Clay Mathile, CEO of CYMI Technologies and former CEO and owner of the Iams Company (which he and his family sold to Procter & Gamble, back in 1999, for $2.3 million). "Since joining Ensequence two years ago, Peter has drawn on his experience to elevate the company into a market leader, built a strong management team and established a plan for sustainable growth," Mathile said in a prepared statement. "Peter's familiarity with the cable industry makes him well-suited to lead Ensequence through its next stage of growth as it delivers on the promise of interactive television."

In an interview with Ensequence's hometown newspaper, The Oregonian, Low stated that, under his leadership, the company will be focusing on growing its presence in New York (note: Low is based out of that city), and is considering moving its headquarters there. However, he stressed that the company's Portland operation is expected to remain more or less intact. "From the outside you will see very little change," he told the newspaper. "What really changes is our ability to remain at the center of what is a rapidly building interactive space. Nobody's going to leave Portland, but what's happening in New York is going to grow in importance to the company. The employment status and the role of the people in Portland I expect to be very consistent."