Tugg Inc.
Tugg Inc. was a film-based collective action and crowdsourcing platform that enabled individuals to create film screenings at their local cinema.[1] Incorporated in 2011,[2] Tugg was officially launched in 2012 at SXSW by co-founders Nicolas Gonda and Pablo Gonzalez.[3] Headquartered in Austin, Texas, it offered services for promoters, filmmakers, and theaters. The company ceased operations in January 2020.[4]
![](../I/m/Tugg_inc._Logo.png)
Services
Promoters
Screening "hosts" selected a movie from Tugg's library of studio and independent films, chose from available theaters, dates, timeslots, and set other event details like ticket price; then, a set number of people needed to commit to attend before the event was actually on, in order to crowdsource* the viewing.[5] Tugg provided promotional resources and tips, but the promoter was responsible for spreading the word.[6]
Filmmakers and theaters
Tugg allowed filmmakers to do business beyond online digital portals, and show their films in "old-fashioned cinemas", allowing consumers to select the movies they want to see at local theaters [7] This distribution method, credited to co-founder, Gonda, was "supposed to complement existing distribution methods".[5]
Tugg EDU
Tugg had a department focused on Educational and Non-Theatrical communities, TuggEDU. Through the selling of screening licenses to "effectively monetize the non-theatrical interest in a film" to better fit the community's needs.[1]
History
In 2016 Tugg launched the film The Last Gold in partnership with USA Swimming, "ensuring the largest national reach for the film, and also a way to involve the swimming community and teams to bring it to their area."[8]
References
- "About Us – Tugg Edu". eduhome.tugg.com. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
- "Tugg Inc.: Private Company Information - Bloomberg". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
- "Our Story | Tugg". resources.tugg.com. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
- "Do-It-Yourself Releasing Platform Tugg Pulls the Plug". Variety. 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
- Ha, Anthony. "Tugg Lets Audiences Choose What's Playing In Theaters | TechCrunch". Retrieved 2017-07-28.
- "10 Lessons Learned From My First Tugg Screening as Promoter". No Film School. 2013-04-07. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
- Faughnder, Ryan (2016-10-27). "The studio behind 'The Hunger Games' wants to turn YouTube gurus into movie stars". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
- "USA Swimming and Tugg To Showcase "The Last Gold" Film Screenings Nationwide - Swimming World News". Swimming World News. 2016-05-26. Retrieved 2017-07-28.