Downtown software company enters world of entertainment technology

By HOLLY SCHOENSTEIN

Turning Technologies will be dealing with such TV shows as ‘Dancing with the Stars.’

YOUNGSTOWN — Audience response software company Turning Technologies LLC has entered the worldwide entertainment software industry.

The rapidly growing company, in the Taft Technology Center downtown, has joined with television audience polling company Quick Tally Interactive Systems Inc. of Santa Monica, Calif.

“It’s the big splash,” Turning Technologies CEO Mike Broderick said Wednesday about the company’s “first international global push.”

“We think it’s a great opportunity and it’s a great way to get our products much more global exposure.”

He confirmed the deal adds to — rather than replaces — the company’s target markets of schools, universities and corporate trainers.

Quick Tally Interactive Systems has provided audience polling services to shows such as “Last Comic Standing,” “America’s Funniest Videos” and “Dancing with the Stars” and their international affiliates.

A list of shows for which Quick Tally provides services can be found at www.quicktally.com.

Because the technology is the same, the dive into the entertainment industry should be smooth.

Turning Technologies tested the feasibility for the venture last summer through two local events. It provided software services to a local “American Idol” contest at Eastwood Mall and the Donnie Iris and The Cruisers concert at B O Station Banquet Hall in downtown Youngstown.

Broderick said it is too early to tell how much the deal will increase Turning Technologies sales numbers, but he expects it to be significant.

Turning Technologies does not have plans to create any full-time positions to accommodate the growth of business at this time.

Broderick said the company has been working on numerous other business deals in the entertainment industry. Turning Technologies was recently named the fastest-growing privately held software company in the United States.