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"The Spark of Genius Series highlights a unique feature of startups and is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark. If you would like to have your startup considered for inclusion, please see the details here.\nName: Shoutz\nQuick Pitch: Shoutz is a free social video network.\nGenius Idea: Mobile-to-mobile platform for recording and sharing personal videos or 15-second \"Shoutz.\"\nShoutz, the social mobile video network, is a free mobile app for recording and sharing personal videos. Users can watch, record and share 15-second \"Shoutz\" directly from their phones, giving the world an opportunity to see exactly what they see when they see it. \nThe app provides a personal way of communication by helping users connect with their friends, family, fans, consumers and the rest of the world through videos. Shoutz partners with sports teams, celebrities, companies, artists and advertisers to enhance the interaction between their fans and consumers through channels. \nThe app requires an iPhone or Android 2.3 or higher device. Once the app is downloaded, users can sign in with their Facebook accounts or create their own profile, which also acts as their own channel. \nWhether you're a fan of Nascar, tennis, the outdoors, etc., choose a channel that interests you and select the stars or celebrities you want to follow within that channel. Then click on the user's profile to see their 15-second Shoutz, which you can comment on, reshout or rate. The app also provides the number of public views for each Shoutz. \n\n\n15-second Shoutz.\n\n\nUsers can upload their own 15-second Shoutz to their channels and share them directly from the app to Facebook, Twitter or via email. Shoutz also gives users the option to create a list of groups to share videos with. For example, if a user records a video of themselves fishing, they can share their video only with their group of friends who enjoy fishing. \nShoutz also has a feed that features the trending videos of the day, the channels you follow and Shoutz from the individuals you follow. \n\n\n\n\nTo help its partners manage their campaigns and build their brand strategy, Shoutz provides them with a \"Channel Activity &amp; Earnings Report\" which analyzes the demographics of their channel's fans. The report includes information on platform ads, generated revenue, and the time, date and location of Shoutz views. \nThe detailed report can help, for example, a beverage company target their campaigns to the specific audience that views their Shoutz. \n\"A lot of celebrities don't know enough about their fans,\" Jim Mueller, CEO of Shoutz, told Mashable. \"Shoutz provides real-time analytics that adds value for advertisers and makes it easier to manage campaigns, build brand strategies and target effectiveness.\"\nRed McCombs, co-founder of Clear Channel Communications, is one of Shoutz's primary investors. Developed in 2010, Shoutz's business model is based on advertisements. The company shares its revenue with its partners, and channels and stars share the ad revenue from their profile pages. \nShoutz is currently in public beta and will completely launch in early 2012. \nImage courtesy of Shoutz, Shoutz\nSeries Supported by Microsoft BizSpark\n\n\nThe Spark of Genius Series highlights a unique feature of startups and is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark, a startup program that gives you three-year access to the latest Microsoft development tools, as well as connecting you to a nationwide network of investors and incubators. There are no upfront costs, so if your business is privately owned, less than three years old, and generates less than U.S.$1 million in annual revenue, you can sign up today."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2011/12/29/shoutz-2/>