Triton Digital announced a new deal to integrate its a2x audio advertising exchange with RTBiQ, a digital advertising solutions business with a mobile-first DSP platform. This partnership will grant RTBiQ’s advertisers the ability to add online audio from top broadcasters and streaming music services to their programmatic, omni-channel buys. Continue Reading
Nielsen has entered a deal with Nashville-based startup Jammber around song creation data. Jammber helps track the different stages of music production to streamline what is traditionally a fragmented workflow that makes tracking rights and licensing a challenge. Continue Reading
AdExchanger profiled Shazam and its use of mobile advertising. The identification app has shifted from a business model of affiliate iTunes links to one centered on advertising. Chief Revenue Officer Greg Glenday said that half of Shazam’s inventory is sold programmatically across both private and open exchanges. It also works directly with some clients for more involved, custom campaigns. Continue Reading
Spotify has reportedly reached a licensing agreement with Sony Music Entertainment. Unnamed sources told Billboard that the streaming service has inked its second major label deal this year, after announcing an agreement with Universal Music Group in April. Representatives for both Spotify and Sony have declined to comment thus far on the rumored development. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Spotify is with the “banned”. Exclusivity window (sort of) ends for 4:44, but the album won’t be on Billboard charts yet. Continue Reading
Digital audio companies leanStream and Media Sales Lab announced that they have merged into a single entity. The company will combine the audio ad network of Media Sales Lab with leanStream’s global audio streaming network of more than 400 radio stations. The merger is effective as of June 1 and the new business will retain the name leanStream, which will be responsible for producing the inaugural Digital Audio Advertising North Summit in Canada. Continue Reading
Podtrac’s podcast publisher rankings don’t usually show much variance from month to month, but June 2017 marked the arrival of two new companies. ESPN debuted at No. 5 on the list with an audience of 3.5 million uniques in the U.S. Wondery also marked its debit, with an audience of 2.6 million U.S. uniques propelling it No. 7 on the chart. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Several cases of the dreaded lazy Buggles headlines, countered by many reassurances that radio is not, in fact, dead. Continue Reading
Spotify appears to be testing out a new driving mode, designed for listeners who are behind the wheel. A few of the people with access to the feature posted about their experience on Reddit. Several streaming platforms and music specialists have explored the idea of special modes for car usage. Continue Reading
India-focused streaming service Saavn is projecting that it could turn a profit by the end of 2018. Co-founder and CEO Rishi Malhotra said that the company is slated to reach revenue between $18 million and $20 million this year. With just 22 million monthly active users, the platform has pursued a combination of niche content and geographic tiers that appears to be delivering success. Continue Reading
The BBC has released its annual plan for 2017-2018. The broadcaster’s budget includes a large investment in children’s programming. It is putting £34 million ($44 million) into BBC Children over the next three years. That money will fund several projects for young audience members, including an enhanced online program with new forms of content and interactivity. Continue Reading
Stream-ripping is the top form of piracy in the UK, with a new report echoing other research into the prevalence of this activity. PRS for Music and the UK’s Intellectual Property Office published a report that pointed to stream-ripping as the top form of piracy. Continue Reading