Tugg Inc.


Tugg Inc. was a film-based collective action and crowdsourcing platform that enabled individuals to create film screenings at their local cinema. Incorporated in 2011, Tugg was officially launched in 2012 at SXSW by co-founders Nicolas Gonda and Pablo Gonzalez. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, it offered services for promoters, filmmakers, and theaters. The company ceased operations in January 2020.

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. Tugg provided promotional resources and tips, but the promoter was responsible for spreading the word.

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 This distribution method, credited to co-founder, Gonda, was "supposed to complement existing distribution methods".

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.

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."