User:Djpinklady/sandbox

Storyz is a free social networking and messaging tool that enables its users to tell a multimedia-rich story using text, picture and video media across multiple platforms including the web and nearly any mobile device.

The service works with mobile devices through a variety of mobile operating systems including WAP, Java ME, Google Android and Apple iPhone. The mobile platform support includes extensive integration with the phone – including camera, contact list and file system data – to seamlessly create threaded conversations that appear like an e-mail or IM conversation.

Storyz is a startup based in Sydney, Australia, and is owned by TileFile, Ltd., funded by Motorola Ventures. Storyz encourages its users to post content from anywhere, on any device, and its cross-platform support has gained interest from brands looking to parlay word-of-mouth buzz around ad-supported campaigns that reach users in a relevant, organic way.

History
Storyz was founded by David Bolliger in 2005. Originally located at tilefile.com, storyz.com launched in Alpha on July 14, 2008 for real user testing and again in Beta on October 3, 2008. In December 2008, storyz.com passed 10,000 users.

How it works
Storyz is a viral entertainment and marketing service for multimedia storytelling, which taps into the universal urge for people to tell stories and share them with others. Championed as the global conversation, Storyz lets users post text, photos and video for stories and then invite their friends to participate and add to the storytelling across the Web, social networks and an extensive list of mobile phones. Advertisers and marketers can involve the community with simple challenges that go out as branded viral messages.

Business model
The Storyz business model makes revenue primarily driven by advertising. Advertising/branding (similar to banner ads) are attached to relevant conversation threads and the service also supports brand-sponsored challenges where companies run competitions using the service pushing users to interact with each other and a relevant brand. Storyz also makes profit selling Short Message Service (SMS) to users who pay per SMS message instead of having a plan.

Supported services and platforms
There are many services and applications that work with or enhance Storyz and its mission to encourage communication cross-platform regardless of device.

Current supported platforms include: iPhone, iPhone 3G BlackBerry (including Bold) Mobile devices running Google Android (including T-Mobile G1) Motorola mobile devices running Java ME Nokia mobile devices running Java ME

Financing
Motorola Ventures, the global, strategic venture capital investment arm of Motorola, Inc. was one of the first financial backers of Storyz, as of November 2007. MV actively invests in all stages of developing companies, seeking out companies of strategic value in order to accelerate access to new technologies, new markets and new talents.