Tout (company)

Social networking service and microblogging service

Tout

Type of business| Private

Type of site

| Social network service, microblogging
Available in| Multilingual
Dissolved| 2019
Headquarters|

San Francisco

United States

Area served| Worldwide
Founder(s)| Michael Downing
Industry| Internet industry
Commercial| Yes
Registration| Required (to post, follow or be followed)
Launched| April 2010 (2010-04)[1]
Current status| Inactive

Tout was an online social networking service and microblogging service that enabled its users to send and view 15-second videos, known as "touts." The service's core technology was created at SRI International by Michael Downing based on two patents owned by that company.[1][2]

In April 2010, Tout spun off as its own company with SRI taking an equity stake.[2] Tout gained popularity in June 2011 when basketball player Shaquille O'Neal used the service to announce his retirement. By early 2012, Tout had received over 12 million visitors and 75 million Touts had been shared by users of the service.[3]

## Investors

[edit]

On July 11, 2012, the company announced a $13.4 million round of Series B funding; professional wrestling promotion WWE participated in the funding round, and announced a two-year strategic partnership with the company.[4][5] During WWE CEO Vince McMahon's quarterly conference call with investors held on the morning of August 2, WWE CFO George Barrios disclosed the amount of that investment to have been $5 million, but would not disclose what percentage of the company that sum represents.[6][7][8][9] Stephanie McMahon, CBO of WWE, would appear on the board of directors for Tout.[10]

As part of the strategic partnership, WWE subsequently promoted Tout via its platforms, including encouraging its talent to use the service, and showcasing posts by viewers and WWE talent during segments of its television programs.[11][12][13] However, as Tout proved to be largely unpopular, WWE stopped promoting Tout in early 2013 and let their strategic partnership expire in 2014, after which Tout quickly folded.[14]

## See also

[edit]

* Keek
* Vine (service)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Malone, Michael (2011-12-05). "News Chiefs 'Tout' Benefits of Social Video". Broadcasting & Cable.
2. ^ a b Lawler, Ryan (2011-03-23). "Bye-Bye 15 Minutes of Fame: Tout Gives You 11 Seconds". Gigaom. Archived from the original on March 24, 2011. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
3. ^ Ha, Anthony (2012-03-14). "Tout's Plans For Turning Video Status Updates Into A Business". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
4. ^ "WWE Quarterly Report 8/2/2013". WWE / U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
5. ^ Perez, Sarah (2012-07-11). "WWE (Yep, Wrestling) Invests In Video Messaging Startup Tout's $13.4 Million Series B". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
6. ^ "WWE financials announced, what was up and down plus a guidance of an increase in the next five month". F4WOnline.com/Wrestlingobserver.com. 2012-08-02. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
7. ^ Caldwell, James (2012-08-02). "WWE News: Additional news from McMahon conference - Tout investment, PG-TV, Superstars & NXT, Smackdown dragging down attendance, big Social Media push, WWE Studios, more". PWTorch.com. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
8. ^ Johnson, Mike (2012-08-02). "'We Do More Than Disney' - Vince McMahon Says the Company Went Too Far Into the "G" Realm, is Trying to be More 'Sophisticated' With its Product and More:WWE Conference Call Coverage". PWInsider.com. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
9. ^ "WWE News: 8/2 Vince McMahon conference call - WWE Network, WWE TV deal with Ion, Raw expansion to three hours". ProWrestling.net. 2012-08-02. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
10. ^ "WWE Corporate - Executive Team Bios - Stephanie McMahon". WWE. Archived from the original on August 9, 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2021. "Stephanie is a member of the Board of Directors for both the USO Metropolitan Washington and the social media company, Tout, Inc."
11. ^ Graser, Marc (2013-04-10). "WWE's Promo Mania". Variety. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
12. ^ Berkman, Seth (2014-03-31). "WWE Network Is Loud Introduction to the Video Streaming Ring". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
13. ^ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 8/20: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – Punk-Cena, Lesnar opens show, Triple H "speculation," Jericho farewell". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on April 30, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2012. "Next, Cole introduced a tout from Lesnar saying he came to WWE, conquered everything, and now is leaving and never coming back, which drew some cheers from the live Raw crowd."
14. ^ Barker, Cory (2019): "Tout it Out": WWE's Experimentation and Failure With Social TV. In Dru Jeffries(ed.): #WWE: Professional Wrestling in the Digital Age, Indiana University Press, p. 187

* v
* t
* e

Microblogging

Centralized|

* Facebook
* Fanfou
* Gab
* Gettr
* Hive Social
* LinkedIn
* Myspace
* Pillowfort
* Plurk
* Qzone
* Solaborate
* Truth Social
* Tumblr
* Twitter
* Viadeo
* VK
* Weibo
* XING

Decentralized|

| ActivityPub-compatible|

* Friendica
* GNU social
* Mastodon
* micro.blog
* Misskey
* Pleroma
* Threads

|

* Bluesky
* AT Protocol
* diaspora
* identi.ca
* pump.io
* Nostr
* OpenMicroBlogging
* OStatus
* Twister

Defunct|

* App.net
* Edmodo
* Google Buzz
* Google+
* Heello
* Jaiku
* Me2day
* Meme
* Migme
* Natter
* Parler
* Posterous
* Pownce
* Qaiku
* Tencent Weibo
* Tout

Features|

* Activity stream
* Backchannel
* Hashtag
* Lifestreaming
* Mention/Replies
* Reblogging

* Comparison of microblogging and similar services

* v
* t
* e

Social networking services

Personal|

* 23snaps
* Amikumu
* anobii
* Are.na
* Badoo
* BeReal
* Bluesky
* BharatMatrimony
* Bondee
* Bumble
* Cara
* Clapper
* Clubhouse
* Convoz
* Cyworld
* Diaspora
* display
* Douban
* Draugiem.lv
* Facebook
* Foursquare City Guide
* Foursquare Swarm
* Friendica
* Gab
* Gapo
* Gas
* Gettr
* GNU social
* Hi5
* Hive Social
* Idka
* Instagram
* IRC-Galleria
* Kuaishou
* Kumu
* Letterboxd
* Likee
* LiveJournal
* Jeevansathi.com
* Matrimony.com
* Marco Polo
* Mastodon
* The Meet Group
* Meetup
* MeWe
* Miaopai
* micro.blog
* Minds
* Mixi
* MX TakaTak
* My World@Mail.Ru
* Myspace
* Nextdoor
* Odnoklassniki
* Parler
* Peach
* Pinterest
* Pixnet
* Pleroma
* Plurk
* Promo.com
* Qzone
* Readgeek
* RedNote / Xiaohongshu
* Renren
* Shaadi.com
* ShareChat
* Snapchat
* Snow
* Spaces
* Tagged
* Tal Canal
* Tastebuds.fm
* Tea
* Tellonym
* Threads
* TikTok
* Tinder
* Triller
* Trust Café
* Truth Social
* Tuenti
* Tumblr
* TV Time
* Twitter/X
* Untappd
* Vero
* VK
* Weibo
* Whisper
* Yik Yak

Professional|

* Academia.edu
* Behance
* Brainly
* HCL Connections
* LinkedIn
* Moodle
* ResearchGate
* Solaborate
* TradingView
* Viadeo
* Viva Engage
* XING

Defunct|

* App.net
* AsianAve
* Ask.fm
* Avatars United
* Bebo
* Bolt
* BranchOut
* Capazoo
* Cloob
* Cohost
* eConozco
* Edmodo
* Ello
* Emojli
* eWorld
* Eyegroove
* FitFinder
* FriendFeed
* Friends Reunited
* Friendster
* Google+
* Google Buzz
* Google Currents
* Grono.net
* Heello
* Hello
* Highlight
* Houseparty
* Huddles
* Hyves
* IdeaPlane
* IGTV
* iTunes Ping
* iWiW
* Jaiku
* Keek
* Koo
* Lifeknot
* LunarStorm
* Me2day
* Meerkat
* Miiverse
* MixBit
* Mobli
* Mugshot
* Multiply
* Musical.ly
* Natter
* Netlog
* NK.pl
* Orkut
* Path
* Periscope
* Pheed
* Piczo
* PlanetAll
* Posterous
* Pownce
* Qaiku
* Sciencescape (Metaα)
* SixDegrees.com
* Skyrock
* So.cl
* Spotify Live
* Spring.me
* Streetlife
* StudiVZ
* Surfbook
* Talkbits
* Taringa!
* tbh
* Tea Party Community
* Third Voice
* Tout
* tribe.net
* tvtag
* Vine
* Windows Live Spaces
* Wretch
* Xanga
* Yahoo! 360°
* Yahoo! Kickstart
* Yahoo! Mash
* Yahoo! Meme
* Yo
* Zune Social
* ZunZuneo

Services|

* Software comparison
* White-label
* Ning
* Wall.fm

Tools|

* Analysis software
* Diaspora
* Web 2.0 Suicide Machine

Concepts|

* Attention inequality
* Confessions page
* Cybersectarianism
* Fediverse
* Online identity
* Small-world experiment
* Small-world network
* Social network
* Thirst trap
* User profile
* Virtual community
* list

Applications|

* Hospitality exchange service
* Mobile
* Online dating
* comparison
* Social network advertising
* Social network hosting service
* Social profiling

User interface|

* Activity stream
* Brand page
* Groups
* Hashtag
* Like button
* Online petitions
* Polling
* Reblogging
* Story

Implications|

* Issues
* Privacy concerns
* Problematic social media use
* Use in investigations
* Use in politics
* User gender differences

Protocols|

* ActivityPub
* AT Protocol
* Decentralized Social Networking Protocol
* Distributed Social Networking Protocol (defunct)
* Micropub
* Nostr
* OpenSocial (defunct)
* OStatus
* Pump.io
* XMPP

* v
* t
* e

WWE

History|

* McMahon family
* Capitol Wrestling Corporation
* 1980s boom
* Black Saturday
* WrestleMania I
* Ring boy scandal
* Steroids trial
* The Kliq
* Bone Street Krew
* Monday Night Wars
* Montreal Screwjob
* Attitude Era
* The Invasion
* WWF trademark dispute
* Chris Benoit double-murder and suicide
* PG Era
* New Monday Night Wars
* Wednesday Night Wars
* ThunderDome
* Vince McMahon sex trafficking scandal

Programming|

| Weekly in-ring shows|

* Monday Night Raw
* history
* special episodes
* Friday Night SmackDown
* history
* special episodes
* NXT
* Seasons 1–5
* special episodes
* Speed
* Main Event
* Evolve

|

Recap shows|

* Afterburn
* Bottom Line
* This Week in WWE
* Vintage
* Wal3ooha

Seasonal shows
and specials|

* Biography: WWE Legends
* LFG
* Most Wanted Treasures
* Rivals
* Saturday Night's Main Event
* WWE Unreal

Pay-per-view and
WWE Network events|

* Royal Rumble
* Vengeance
* Elimination Chamber
* NXT Stand & Deliver
* WrestleMania
* Backlash
* King of the Ring
* Battleground
* Clash
* Money in the Bank
* Heatwave
* SummerSlam
* Bash in Berlin
* No Mercy
* Bad Blood
* Halloween Havoc
* Crown Jewel
* Survivor Series
* NXT Deadline

Other|

* Broadcasting rights

Home bases|

* UFC Apex
* WWE Performance Center

Former|

* Amway Center
* Full Sail University
* Tropicana Field
* Yuengling Center

Personnel|

* Hall of Fame
* Former personnel
* A–C
* D–H
* I–M
* N–R
* S–Z

Notable rivalries
and matches|

* André the Giant–Hulk Hogan rivalry
* Bret Hart vs. Tom Magee
* Mankind vs. The Undertaker
* The Streak

Affiliated properties|

* WWE 2K
* WWE Books
* WWE Legacy Department
* WWE Music Group
* Discography
* WWE Podcast Network
* WWE Studios
* Tapout

Defunct businesses|

* World Bodybuilding Federation
* WWF New York
* WWE Classics on Demand
* WWE Home Video
* WWE Network
* Canada
* WWE Niagara Falls
* WWE Magazine
* XFL
* 2001
* 2020

Notable acquisitions|

* American Wrestling Association
* Dragon Gate USA
* Evolve
* WWE revival
* Extreme Championship Wrestling
* WWE revival
* Florida Championship Wrestling
* Georgia Championship Wrestling
* Global Wrestling Federation
* Heartland Wrestling Association (video library)
* International Championship Wrestling
* Smoky Mountain Wrestling
* World Championship Wrestling
* history
* Who Killed WCW?
* World Class Championship Wrestling
* World Wrestling Council (video library)

Investments|

* Avid Technology
* Cloud9
* DraftKings
* Drone Racing League
* FloSports
* Marvel Experience
* Phunware
* Premier Lacrosse League
* Tout

Related companies|

| Owners|

* TKO Group Holdings
* Endeavor

|

Sister companies|

* IMG
* Professional Bull Riders
* Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
* Ultimate Fighting Championship
* Zuffa Boxing

Partnerships|

| Current|

* Game Changer Wrestling
* National Wrestling Alliance
* Pro Wrestling Noah
* Dream Star Fighting Marigold
* Reality of Wrestling
* Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

|

Former|

* All Japan Pro Wrestling
* Deep South Wrestling
* Insane Championship Wrestling
* International Wrestling Association
* Memphis Championship Wrestling
* Michinoku Pro Wrestling
* New Japan Pro-Wrestling
* Ohio Valley Wrestling
* Power Pro Wrestling
* Progress Wrestling
* Smoky Mountain Wrestling
* Super World of Sports
* Ultimate Pro Wrestling
* United States Wrestling Association
* Universal Lucha Libre
* Universal Wrestling Association
* Universal Wrestling Federation
* WAR
* Westside Xtreme Wrestling
* World Wrestling Alliance

Championships|

* Current champions
* Former championships
* Types of championships
* Tag team
* Women's
* World

Accomplishments|

* Diva Search
* Money in the Bank
* Tough Enough
* Awards
* Slammys
* NXT Year-End
* WWE Year-End
* Grand Slam
* Triple Crown
* Battle royals
* André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
* Royal Rumble
* WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal

Tournaments|

* Brawl for All
* Cruiserweight Classic
* Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic
* King of the Ring
* Mae Young Classic
* Mixed Match Challenge
* NXT Breakout Tournament
* Queen of the Ring
* Sam Muchnick Memorial Tournament

Brand extension|

* Raw
* SmackDown
* NXT
* Evolve
* NXT UK
* 205 Live
* ECW
* Draft
* 2002
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* April 2019
* October 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2023
* 2024

International|

* Australia
* Canada
* India
* Mexico
* New Zealand
* Saudi Arabia
* UK

Miscellaneous|

* Attendance records
* Titan Towers
* Women in WWE
* WrestleMania Axxess
* WWE action figures
* LJN Wrestling Superstars
* WWE ID and WWE NIL

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