TAKKLE Signs Frank Speiser, Formerly of Heavy.com, as CTO

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TAKKLE, Inc. (www.takkle.com), the premier online social network for high school sports, today announced that Frank Speiser, former chief technology officer of Heavy.com, has joined the company as TAKKLE’s new CTO.

“Frank has led development on some of the industry’s leading video-focused websites. His experience will be invaluable as TAKKLE continues to deliver the most sophisticated applications for high school athletes.”

Speiser, an experienced technology executive for companies such as Bertelsmann, Virgin USA, and many others, will lead TAKKLE’s technology team as TAKKLE continues its rapid growth.

“Frank Speiser will drive TAKKLE’s continued technology development as we offer high school athletes the most advanced functionality to connect online with their teammates and rivals,” said David Birnbaum, CEO and co-founder of TAKKLE. “Frank has led development on some of the industry’s leading video-focused websites. His experience will be invaluable as TAKKLE continues to deliver the most sophisticated applications for high school athletes.”

TAKKLE takes high school sports to the next level by allowing athletes across the nation participating in over 25 different sports to develop personal connections rooted in their shared interests. TAKKLE provides the platform and tools for these athletes to create player and team profiles, upload videos and photos, track and view statistics, check out opponents before games, and discover the best athletes in the country.

Speiser joins TAKKLE following the company’s recent launch of the BATTLE ON TAKKLE (www.takkle.com/battle/), a competition in which high school athletes compete against one another via online video. Sponsors for the BATTLE ON TAKKLE include P&G’s Tampax brand and Met-Rx.

The BATTLE ON TAKKLE launch followed the announcement of TAKKLE’s strategic partnership with Sports Illustrated. TAKKLE is now the exclusive high school nomination platform for Sports Illustrated’s iconic Faces in the Crowd feature. In addition, TAKKLE features a weekly Video Face in the Crowd in both the magazine and on SI.com with the athletes’ video highlights and profile available exclusively on TAKKLE (www.takkle.com/videofaces). Recent Video Face in the Crowd honorees have included top high school athletes across the nation, including Chase Mejia, Blake Lawrence, Kaitlyn Hiltz, and Darquavis Tucker.

About TAKKLE

TAKKLE, the premier online social network for high school sports, connects athletes, coaches, fans, friends, and recruiters for all high school athletics. On TAKKLE, high school athletes can track and compare their stats, post team schedules, scout rivals, and share videos and photos with their teammates and opponents.

TAKKLE offers advertisers and marketers the ability to strategically target a passionate, engaged audience of high school athletes and fans. TAKKLE’s investors include Wasserman Media Group LLC, Greycroft Partners LLC, IJ Smith Enterprises LLC, and Jack Schneider, Managing Director at Allen & Company, Inc.