For years, the marketing world has relied on stock photography to bring its campaigns to life — and it still does. But as digital marketing trends have shifted toward increasingly targeted and more authentic experiences, so too has the demand for stock photography.
Denver-based Shotzr emerged to meet that need and today, they’re taking the business to the next level with $3 million in fresh seed funding.
Founded in 2017, the startup aims to help marketers and advertisers increase ROI and engagement by providing them with images that target the locations, demographics and interests of their audience. Having spent the last two years building out its platform, winning clients like W Hotels and Natural Grocers, and amassing a team of more than 3,000 photographers worldwide, the new funding will allow Shotzr to take that momentum and grow.
Our customers need something much different than traditional image sources can provide. We've built technology that bridges the gap between audience and effectiveness...”
“Our customers need something much different than traditional image sources can provide,” said Co-Founder Mark Lemmons. “We've built technology that bridges the gap between audience and effectiveness in terms of targeted creative, and we look forward to delivering more value to our customers via Shotzr's platform, API and channel integrations due to this round of financing.”
Currently, Shotzr offers two key services. Shotzr Engage is most like the traditional stock photography platforms, catering to marketers and giving them access to the startup’s entire library of photos. Unlike traditional stock photo platforms, though, Shotzr allows users to request specific photos, and it works with local photographers to get the photos users need — whether it’s an upcoming event, the announcement of a new restaurant or the perfect sunset shot of that mountain view in City Park.
Shotzr has also built a programmatic API for advertisers, Shotzr Identify, which pulls from a pool of approved images to create more targeted and relevant ad campaigns.
The funding will help accelerate the enhancement of these products and enable the startup, which recently appeared on Built In Colorado's 50 Startup to Watch list, to build out more channel integrations for its customers.
The round was led by Access Venture Partners with participation from DVI Equity Partners, Blue Note Ventures, First Mile Ventures, Spring Time Ventures and RVC. As part of the deal, Brian Wallace, Managing Director of Access Venture Partners, will join Shotzr's Board of Directors.
