Companies open developer access to vast database of races, team sports and recreational activities
SAN FRANCISCO, October 27, 2009 -- Mashery and The Active Network, Inc. today opened developer access to the Active.com API on Mashery’s on-demand API management platform.
The Active Network is the latest in a growing string of companies turning to the San Francisco-based startup to provide the infrastructure and management necessary as they open their data to outside developers. Its Active.com online community allows members to search and register online for races, team sports and recreational activities; interact with others who have similar interests; start online training programs; and access nutrition, fitness and training tips. By opening up its vast vault of active lifestyle content to third party developers through its Mashery-powered open API, The Active Network extends the reach and visibility of its million-plus member flagship site.
“Opening The Active Network API was, quite honestly, not part of our strategy,” said Jeremy Thomas, development manager, The Active Network. “It was always meant to be a private API. That strategy changed once we saw the volume of unsolicited registrations we were getting on the portal. We quickly realized there was more opportunity in an open API than one kept to ourselves.”
The company’s initial intention was to use the Active.com API to share data with business partners. It has since seen high levels of interest across the developer community, approving a number of applications for developers looking to create iPhone applications or niche websites. The company has also expanded API coverage to include tennis tournaments (an example of which is a query that returns all future tennis tournaments happening within 50 miles of Brooklyn, NY: http://api.amp.active.com/assets/tennis?zip=10471&distance=50&api_key=rnxjx6ts3pg579gvrbe42qn7).
With access to the company’s Event Syndication API, developers can tap into and query The Active Networks’ vast database of events, including:
- Triathlons:
http://api.amp.active.com/assets/triathlon?api_key=rnxjx6ts3pg579gvrbe42qn7 - Cycling Events:
http://api.amp.active.com/assets/cycling?api_key=rnxjx6ts3pg579gvrbe42qn7 - Running Events:
http://api.amp.active.com/assets/running?api_key=rnxjx6ts3pg579gvrbe42qn7 - Environmentally Friendly Events:
http://api.amp.active.com/assets/green?api_key=rnxjx6ts3pg579gvrbe42qn7
Developers can request access keys at http://developer.active.com/docs.
“The Active Network is yet another example of a company that sees the value of open data,” said Oren Michels, founder and CEO, Mashery. “They realize that opening their APIs to a larger universe of developers opens an exponentially larger potential to expand the footprint of their brand.”
San Francisco-based Mashery manages APIs for more than 70 companies including MTV, The New York Times, Netflix, Alcatel-Lucent and Lonely Planet. Mashery's on-demand API infrastructure provides the access management, business rules, monitoring, and metrics required to build a scalable distributions channel using web services.
About Mashery
Mashery is the leading provider of on-demand API management solutions. Business development executives of today rely heavily on web services and APIs to recruit and manage their strategic partnerships. Mashery provides the management, infrastructure, and metrics required to build a scalable business development channel using web services. Media, entertainment, and information sectors are taking advantage of Mashery's on-demand services to partner with interactive properties and broaden distribution. Launched in 2006, Mashery is backed by First Round Capital, Formative Ventures, The Accelerator Group, .406 Ventures and many prominent angel investors. For more information, please visit www.mashery.com.
About The Active Network, Inc.
The Active Network delivers integrated technology solutions, marketing services and online media properties that enable and encourage participation in activities and events. For more information, please visit www.ActiveNetwork.com.
Media Contact
Tina Wilmott, The Active Network, Inc.
tina.wilmott@activenetwork.com or 858-964-3813