• by Larissa Faw , October 26, 2016

Horizon Media has taken an equity stake in Spotlight, a software-as-a-service solution for organizing and enhancing the photos, videos, and media.

It is targeted to organized youth activities, such as sports leagues, camps and various events and experiences. 

Spotlight is one of three companies created through the agency’s incubator program — and the first to emerge as a full-time venture. 

Spotlight was co-founded by Rich Abend and Ryan Marshall, who both previously worked at Horizon’s Scout Wellness unit. Abend was managing director and Marshall was an account coordinator.

They have hired Pete Kamm, formerly of Mobee, Digitas and Semantic Machines, as chief technology officer. 

Abend and Marshall have put together a team of advisors headlined by Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals. 

In exchange for its stake in the venture, Horizon will help advise Spotlight and provide resources within advertising, e-commerce, and data as the software company continues to scale and grow its client base.  

Spotlight will launch and integrate its technology with two key partners, including Bunk 1, a camp management service with over 550 participating camps, and Groundswell Group, a cause-marketing platform that has partnered with over 5,000 youth sports leagues/organizations across the country.

Groundswell has also developed The Youth Baller Network, a new OTT platform for youth and amateur sports highlights, viral youth sports videos, and interviews with youth and pro sports athletes.  

Additionally, organizations within youth and amateur sports and activities without a mobile presence can white label and license Spotlight’s mobile app.