Money-Losing PointCast Considers IPO

PointCast Inc. is shifting its focus from the individual to the corporation as it seeks profits and more customers and considers an initial public offering this year. The money-losing Sunnyvale-based company is a pioneer in offering so-called push services that let publishers and advertisers target information directly at individual personal-computer users. The shift comes after the initial promise of push services failed to materialize. PointCast, which increased its subscriber base 52% to 1.2 million last year, is hoping that it can increase the pace by directly targeting companies. “We will achieve great success if we can get to 2 million subscribers by next year,” said CEO David Dorman. PointCast hopes to put its technology to use in corporations, which would use it for broadcasting internal news and information to their employees, Dorman said. Advertising makes up 90% of PointCast’s revenue.