Scott Arpajian

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Scott Loewen Arpajian is an American technology executive, entrepreneur and author, best known for being a co-founder of the software download website Download.com. He is currently the CEO of Softonic.[1]

Career[edit]

In 1993, Arpajian got his first job in tech as Associate Editor for ZDNet, a popular online service published by Ziff Davis, where he remained until 1996.

CNET Networks and Download.com[edit]

In April 1996, Arpajian joined CNET Networks as Executive Producer, Software Services. In his first few weeks on the job, he had the idea of taking one of the domains owned by CNET, Download.com, and using it to launch a software download website. Download.com launched in October, 1996 and gained significant popularity. It was the recipient of the People's Voice Webby Award for IT/Hardware in 2005[2] and won the judges award for the same category in 2007.[3]

Rocket, Paper, Scissors and Dizzywood[edit]

In 2006 Arpajian became an entrepreneur, co-founding startup Rocket Paper Scissors in Tiburon, California, alongside Sean Kelly and Ken Marden. Rocket Paper Scissors launched its first project, the massively multiplayer game Dizzywood in November, 2007. Dizzywood was an online world for kids where they could play free games, explore unique and imaginative areas and meet new friends in a safe environment.

Popular among children ages 8 to 12, Dizzywood's online community grew rapidly, reaching over 400,000 monthly global visitors and was covered in multiple press outlets, among them The New York Times.[4] Over three years, Dizzywood's collaborative world amassed over 1.5 million users.

In 2010, Dizzywood was consolidated when San Mateo, California-based SecretBuilders bought Dizzywood's assets.[5]

The game world closed down 2010, but the website, with most of the content, remains online.[6]

The Walt Disney Company[edit]

In June 2012, Arpajian became vice president, Strategy and International of Disney Social Games, part of Disney Interactive, where he led business development, international operations and franchise strategy until July 2014.

Softonic[edit]

In February 2015, leading software download website Softonic announced that it had appointed Arpajian to the role of CEO, making him the first American senior executive for the Spanish company.[7]

Immediately upon joining the company, Arpajian made the crucial decision to discontinue the company's controversial Softonic Downloader product in order to regain user trust. Arpajian later launched Clean and Safe,[8][9] an initiative to clean up the website's software catalog and ensure users a safe and secure user experience.

Under Arpajian's leadership, after a period of economic stress, Softonic was able to return to profitability in just 7 months.[10] This has led Softonic to begin considering expansion again.[11]

Writing[edit]

Arpajian is the author of three books about technology: How to Use HTML3; How to Use HTML 3.2 (with Robert Mullen) and How to Use the World Wide Web (with Wayne Ause).

References[edit]

  1. ^ https://novobrief.com/scott-arpajian-softonic-ceo/2152/
  2. ^ "Download.com | The Webby Awards". Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  3. ^ "CNET Download.com | The Webby Awards". www.webbyawards.com. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  4. ^ Slatalla, Michelle (2008-05-08). "The Web Offers Lots of New Ways for Pre-Teenagers to Reinvent Themselves". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  5. ^ "Consolidation comes to kids casual game sites as SecretBuilders buys Dizzywoods assets (exclusive)". IT Breaking News. 2010-12-17. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  6. ^ "Dizzywood | A fun and free game for kids". dizzywood.com. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  7. ^ "Softonic names Scott Arpajian as its new CEO". Novobrief. 2015-02-19. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
  8. ^ "Softonic, ante su última oportunidad dieciocho años después. Noticias de Tecnología". El Confidencial (in Spanish). Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  9. ^ Bolaños, David G. (7 June 2017). "Nueva Era en Softonic: ¿Que Hay de Nuevo en Una de las Marca Veteranas de Internet?" [A New Era at Softonic: What's New at One of the Veteran Internet Brands?]. Cinco Días (in Spanish). PRISA. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  10. ^ "From Publisher To App Developer: Softonic Engineers A Turnaround | AdExchanger". AdExchanger. 2016-05-19. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  11. ^ Berengueras, Josep M. (29 August 2017). "El renacer de Softonic" [The rebirth of Softonic]. el Periódico (in Spanish). Grupo Zeta. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
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