Scott Arpajian

In 1993, Arpajian got his first job in tech as Associate Editor for ZDNet, a popular online service published by Ziff Davis, where he remained until 1996.

In April 1996, Arpajian joined CNET Networks as Executive Producer, Software Services. In his first few weeks on the job, he had the idea of taking one of the domains owned by CNET, Download.com, and using it to launch a software download website. Download.com launched in October, 1996 and gained significant popularity. It was the recipient of the People's Voice Webby Award for IT/Hardware in 2005{{Cite news|url=https://www.webbyawards.com/winners/2005/web/general-website/it-hardwaresoftware/downloadcom/|title=Download.com {{!}} The Webby Awards|access-date=2017-08-31|language=en-US}} and won the judges award for the same category in 2007.{{Cite web|url=https://www.webbyawards.com/winners/2007/web/general-website/it-hardwaresoftware/cnet-downloadcom/|title=CNET Download.com {{!}} The Webby Awards|website=www.webbyawards.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-08-31}}

In 2006 Arpajian became an entrepreneur, co-founding startup Rocket Paper Scissors in Tiburon, California, alongside Sean Kelly and Ken Marden. Rocket Paper Scissors launched its first project, the massively multiplayer game Dizzywood in November, 2007. Dizzywood was an online world for kids where they could play free games, explore unique and imaginative areas and meet new friends in a safe environment.

Popular among children ages 8 to 12, Dizzywood's online community grew rapidly, reaching over 400,000 monthly global visitors and was covered in multiple press outlets, among them The New York Times.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/08/fashion/08Cyber.html|title=The Web Offers Lots of New Ways for Pre-Teenagers to Reinvent Themselves|last=Slatalla|first=Michelle|date=2008-05-08|work=The New York Times|access-date=2017-08-31|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} Over three years, Dizzywood's collaborative world amassed over 1.5 million users.

In 2010, Dizzywood was consolidated when San Mateo, California-based SecretBuilders bought Dizzywood's assets.{{Cite news|url=https://venturebeat.com/2010/12/17/consolidation-comes-to-kids-casual-game-sites-as-secretbuilders-buys-dizzywoods-assets-exclusive/|title=Consolidation comes to kids casual game sites as SecretBuilders buys Dizzywoods assets (exclusive)|date=2010-12-17|work=IT Breaking News|access-date=2017-08-31|language=en-US}}

The game world closed down 2010, but the website, with most of the content, remains online.{{Cite web|url=http://dizzywood.com|title=Dizzywood {{!}} A fun and free game for kids|website=dizzywood.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-08-31}}

In June 2012, Arpajian became vice president, Strategy and International of Disney Social Games, part of Disney Interactive, where he led business development, international operations and franchise strategy until July 2014.

In February 2015, leading software download website Softonic announced that it had appointed Arpajian to the role of CEO, making him the first American senior executive for the Spanish company.{{Cite web|url=https://novobrief.com/scott-arpajian-softonic-ceo/2152/|title=Softonic names Scott Arpajian as its new CEO|date=2015-02-19|website=Novobrief|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-28}}

Immediately upon joining the company, Arpajian made the crucial decision to discontinue the company's controversial Softonic Downloader product in order to regain user trust. Arpajian later launched Clean and Safe,{{Cite news|url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/tecnologia/2015-06-08/softonic-ante-su-ultima-oportunidad-dieciocho-anos-despues_871210/|title=Softonic, ante su última oportunidad dieciocho años después. Noticias de Tecnología|work=El Confidencial|access-date=2017-08-31|language=es}}{{cite web |url=https://cincodias.elpais.com/cincodias/2017/06/06/lifestyle/1496760664_292304.html|title=Nueva Era en Softonic: ¿Que Hay de Nuevo en Una de las Marca Veteranas de Internet? |last=Bolaños |first=David G. |date=7 June 2017|website=Cinco Días|publisher=PRISA |access-date=12 September 2017 |language=Spanish |trans-title=A New Era at Softonic: What's New at One of the Veteran Internet Brands?}} an initiative to clean up the website's software catalog and ensure users a safe and secure user experience.

Under Arpajian's leadership, after a period of economic stress, Softonic was able to return to profitability in just 7 months.{{Cite news|url=https://adexchanger.com/publishers/from-publisher-to-app-developer-softonic-engineers-a-turnaround/|title=From Publisher To App Developer: Softonic Engineers A Turnaround {{!}} AdExchanger|date=2016-05-19|work=AdExchanger|access-date=2017-08-31|language=en-US}} This has led Softonic to begin considering expansion again.{{cite web |url=http://www.elperiodico.com/es/economia/20170829/softonic-renace-2017-6252676|title=El renacer de Softonic |last=Berengueras |first=Josep M. |date=29 August 2017|website=el Periódico|publisher=Grupo Zeta |access-date=12 September 2017 |language=Spanish |trans-title=The rebirth of Softonic}}

Arpajian is the author of three books about technology: [https://www.amazon.com/How-Use-HTML3-Works/dp/1562763903/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 How to Use HTML3]; [https://www.amazon.com/How-Use-HTML-3-2-works/dp/1562764969/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 How to Use HTML 3.2 (with Robert Mullen)] and How to Use the World Wide Web (with Wayne Ause).

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Category:1970 births

Category:Living people

Category:American technology chief executives

Category:American expatriates in Spain

Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers

Category:American technology writers

Category:Writers from New York (state)

Category:Businesspeople from New York (state)

Category:21st-century American businesspeople

Category:People from Mount Kisco, New York

Category:American Internet company founders

Category:Horace Greeley High School alumni

Category:Boston University College of Communication alumni