Wednesday 24 November 2021

US-based AI-powered short-video app Triller, via its parent company TrillerNet, has acquired business-to-business premium influencer events and experiences Thuzio, the company said.

Triller will leverage Thuzio's live event capabilities and deep reach into the worlds of sports, culture and business to create new opportunities in the Triller ecosystem of influencers, fans and brand partners.

Founded in 2012 by former NY Giants great Tiki Barber and entrepreneurs Mark Gerson and Jared Augustine, New York-based Thuzio provides businesses with access to iconic figures in sports, entertainment, culinary and business through interactive events and interviews.

Clients engage Thuzio for custom produced events in either live or virtual settings or access existing events produced under the Thuzio Originals banner as a way to inspire their customers and sales teams.

Barber, Augustine and Gordon will remain with the company, and Thuzio will continue as an owned and operated business while also helping Triller significantly expand its live event capabilities.

Thuzio joins other live event assets owned by TrillerNet including the ground-breaking live music and "artist battle" platform Verzuz, founded and run by music icons Swizz Beatz and Timbaland and boxing and live music performance brand Triller Fight Club, launched in partnership with rap legend Snoop Dogg.

In addition to Verzuz and Triller Fight Club, TrillerNet, under a leadership of CEO and chairman Mahi de Silva, also owns global sports and entertainment streamer FITE (fite.tv) and leading AI-powered customer engagement platform Amplify.ai.

The company also operates TrillerTV, a long-form content streaming platform with more than 65 original shows.

Ryan Kavanaugh and Bobby Sarnevesht are co-controlling shareholders of TrillerNet. Bill Meara, an investor in TrillerNet, was instrumental in bringing the parties together.