Quick Hits: Label/Spotify negotiations; future of podcasting; Rhapsody OpEd
Points of interest and worthy reads around the web: Rumored label negotiating tactics with Spotify; fuuture of podcasting; OpEd from Rhapsody borad members. Continue Reading
News
Test Drive: Spotify’s My Year in Music
Following on the release of its global year-in-review earlier this week, Spotify has also added a tool so that individuals can check out their 2014 listening data. The feature breaks down your song choices over the past 12 months into very detailed genres. The data is interesting on its own, but Spotify took things a step further with Play it Forward, where the streaming platform can create a personalized playlist of songs based on what you liked most in 2014. Continue Reading
Spotify launches geo-targeted ad platform with Triton Digital
Spotify today announced the launch of a geo-targeted advertising platform for its ad-supported freemium service level. The initial rollout includes the top 15 listening markets. Launch partner Triton Digital provides verification metrics through its Webcast Local Metrics product. We spoke to Spotify ad exec Brian Benedik. Continue Reading
Pureplay of the Day: North Pole Radio
iHeartRadio is getting in the holiday spirit this month with a new Christmas radio station. North Pole Radio offers round-the-clock yuletide cheer, with a 24/7 rotation of holiday songs. The tunes are mostly high-energy, kid-friendly fare; think “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” or “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.” Continue Reading
Quick Hits: Slacker in the car; pre-1972 chaos predicted; Lefsetz rips Billboard
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Slacker Radio prepares for in-car listening; pre-1972 chaos predicted by attorney; Bob Lefsetz rips Billboard’s new hybrid album chart. Continue Reading
Spotify’s Year in Music shares numbers from a busy 2014
Spotify can always be counted on for a data-centric approach to music, and its year-in-review is no exception. Released today, the Year in Music site shared key milestones and top music from 2014. Ed Sheeran was the top-streamed male artist, and Katy Perry was the top female artist. Continue Reading
AdLarge hires Jessica Sherman for affiliate growth
In the start of a new affiliate marketing initiative, ad-repping firm AdLarge has hired Jessica Sherman as Senior Director, Affiliate Marketing. Sherman spent nearly 11 years at Westwood One, as VP of the News/Talk division. There, she worked to populate networks with affiliates with $14-million in sales volume. Continue Reading
SoundExchange identifies breakout artists in streaming
SoundExchange, the performing rights organization that collects and distributes streaming royalties to labels and artists, has released three year-end top-10 and top-20 charts. The Top Streamed Breakout Artists list is based on newness to royalty collection — specifically, qualifying recording artists can not have received SoundExchange royalty payments before September 1, 2013. Continue Reading
Spotify offers new monetization options for third-party app developers
Spotify is opening up an option for third-party app developers to sell their creations on mobile app stores. The streaming platform announced that it has removed the distribution restrictions for programs made in the Spotify iOS SDK (software development kit) and Spotify Android SDK. As long as an app meets the Developer Terms of Use, the creators can pursue any avenues they choose for monetizing their Spotify-related programs. Continue Reading
On its birthday, Rhapsody calls mobile “a fueling force for growth”
Rhapsody is 13 years old today. To celebrate its 13th anniversary, Rhapsody released some new internal data about the streaming platform’s success to date and its listener highlights for 2014. Over 60% of its audience listens to Rhapsody exclusively on mobile devices. Continue Reading
Russell Simmons on music consumption: “We gotta go make them pay”
Russell Simmons recently gave an interview about his All Def Digital venture and about the role of royalties in the current music industry. “All Def Digital, to me, is the place that promotes freedom for artists,” Simmons said. “It’s a place where people can express themselves in ways that the gatekeepers wouldn’t allow in the past.” Continue Reading
Pureplay of the Day: Laid Back Radio
Happy Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Oh, and welcome back to work. Feeling exhausted after the long weekend? Or perhaps inspired by work as a refuge from the clamorous holiday season? Either way, Laid Back Radio is a great sonic prescription. Continue Reading