Comments on: ScanScout CEO Doug McFarland Resigns

By: Sarah Collins

Sarah Collins — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:30:14 +0000

I agree with everything everyone has to say about Doug, he is a sleazy, disgruntled, lying man who cannot be trusted. He once lied to a woman, telling her that his daughter passed away to earn sympathy in hopes of courting her.

By: Vid-Biz: ScanScout, Engine Room, MySpace « NewTeeVee

Vid-Biz: ScanScout, Engine Room, MySpace « NewTeeVee — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:59:12 +0000

[...] ScanScout, Engine Room, MySpace ScanScout Gets New CEO; nine months after the last chief exec left, video ad company brings in About founder Bill Day, and moves co-founder Waikit Lau back to [...]

By: Mark Forrester II

Mark Forrester II — Sun, 11 May 2008 16:49:11 +0000

Totally agree with Mark Forrester. This guy is a sheer sleazy scum, the lowest sort I had ever dealt with.

By: Mark Forrester

Mark Forrester — Fri, 02 May 2008 19:01:06 +0000

Knowing Doug, I wouldn't be surprised if the first post here was probably posted by Doug himself or a PR firm under his direction.

Also, having followed ScanScout ever since they picked him up, I wouldn't at all be surprised if he was A.) forced out, B.) left on his own free will when his outrageous demands weren't being met.

I would never again work for him, with him, or in any relation to him if I could help it, nor would I wish any such arrangement on my worse enemy.

Note to his next employee, hire-er beware.

By: Zach Wiesner

Zach Wiesner — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:24:22 +0000

I think they have always been a network. We have used them since mid-2007 and have seen good results, seeing brand ads like McDonald, Coke, Toyota, Juno, Superbad, etc. and relevant text links. I think they separated b/c they wanted someone more operationally-focused and closer to Boston.

By: Mark Foster

Mark Foster — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 18:43:47 +0000

Mr. McFarland’s quick departure is probably reflective of ScanScout’s inability to gain traction in the true contextualization space. There has been excitement over how video could be contextualized specifically for user-generated content. Early on, they touted their ability to apply new computer vision technologies to UGC. The reality is they are having difficulty in actually applying their technologies.

As difficulties progressed through the year, it was clear that ScanScout would have to reposition themselves more as an ad network. Doug was smart enough to recognize the difficulties in becoming an ad network. The market is crowded with many well-funded companies leaving ScanScout in a difficult position.

On a final note, anyone that has met Doug knows that teaming him with a group of PhD’s is like oil and water. It seemed to make more sense for him to depart on good terms rather than be a part of a sinking ship.