Tout
The business, the turning points, and the decisions behind them.
Some sections are still being researched2 / 4
Sections to complete：02 · 05
01 / WHAT IT BUILT
What the company did
Tout was a San Francisco social networking and microblogging service for 15-second videos, known as touts — a sort of video Twitter. The core technology was created at SRI International by Michael Downing based on two SRI patents, and in April 2010 Tout spun off as its own company with SRI taking an equity stake. It broke through in June 2011 when Shaquille O'Neal announced his retirement via a tout; by early 2012 the service had drawn 12 million visitors and users had shared 75 million touts. WWE held a 5.2% stake. The company was dissolved in 2019.
02 / FAILURE REASONS
Material for this section is being gathered and checked. It will appear here once ready.
03 / EVENT HISTORY
Events in the structured record
- Launched
Tout spins off from SRI International in April 2010 as a standalone company for 15-second video microblogging, led by founder Michael Downing.
- Breakthrough
Shaquille O'Neal announces his NBA retirement via Tout in June 2011, bringing the service mainstream attention; ESPN, Mitt Romney and media partners follow.
- Scale
By early 2012 Tout has received over 12 million visitors and users have shared 75 million touts.
- Dissolved
Tout is dissolved in 2019; the service is inactive.
04 / CONTEMPORARY REBUILD ASSESSMENT
Difficulty of rebuilding this project today
Material for this section is being gathered and checked. It will appear here once ready.
Overall assessment: Not completed
05 / CAUSAL CHAIN / AFTERMATH
Material for this section is being gathered and checked. It will appear here once ready.