Quick Hits: Stealing from radio; SoundCloud infographic; SXSW hackathon
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: what streaming should borrow from radio; SoundCloud audience infographic; SXSW hosts a hackathon. Continue Reading
Domino.fm offers reading and streaming for serious music fans
When it comes to music curation, computers and algorithms can only take you so far. The true music geeks want to have a human touch to their discovery. That’s a niche that new service called Domino.fm aims to fill. The property aggregates content from various music press outlets, and gives fans a place to both read articles and listen to the songs they’re about at the same time. Continue Reading
Sony/ATV licenses music to Spotify for EU despite past critiques
Spotify has inked a new licensing deal with Sony/ATV to offer its catalog in Europe. The deal for Sony’s Anglo-American music covers all 30 territories of the European Economic Area. Sony/ATV Chairman and CEO Martin Bandier has been critical of the payouts that songwriters and publishers receive from streaming, and the latest tie-up seems to have resolved his concerns. Continue Reading
Benztown partners with ConnectPal for audio content monetization
Audio production and media syndication company Benztown announced a partnership with ConnectPal, a content marketplace for independent creators. Benztown will put its talent assets into ConnectPal’s monetization platform, and has also taken a financial stake of an undisclosed amount in ConnectPal. Continue Reading
TuneCore expands concert program, extends artist promotion beyond digital distribution
TuneCore has been developing the feature set it makes available to artists, and the company laid out its plans for further improving artist exposure with live shows and special events. Its 2015 plans include a web series called Convenience Store Sessions and a SXSW showcase. Continue Reading
adStream: MeUndies advertising is controversy-free in native audio
While reviewing the recently launched Chive Podcast podcast, we noticed an execeptional native ad performance for MeUndies, a lifestyle brand that mainly sells high-end underwear. The campaign keeps the hip tone of MeUndies marketing in general, while avoiding NSFW controversies that have characterized (and sometimes benefitted) MeUndies marketing in the past. Click to listen. Continue Reading
Qtrax is back with new claims of a digital music revolution
Qtrax is aiming for a relaunch some time in 2015 as an ad-supported streaming service that will stop piracy and better compensate artists. CEO Allan Klepfisz talked a big game in an interview with The Telegraph, calling those goals “two paradigm shifts.” But the news of Qtrax’s resurgence has been met by the music press with mostly skepticism. Continue Reading
RAIN Summit West call for startup submissions: eight days left
Attention startups in the streaming audio space — game on! Eight days left to submit your early-stage company for possible inclusion in an influential panel opportunity at RAIN Summit West.
RAIN Summits announces the “Streaming Audio’s Startup Economy” discussion panel at RAIN Summit West, April 12 in Las Vegas. Continue Reading
Tumblr triggers new anti-piracy takedowns
Yahoo-owned Tumblr, one of the biggest content sites in the world, is experiencing a furor among its bloggers who post music. Several tumblr blogs have reportedly been switched off for copyright-infringing music posts. A newly-installed download button on Tumblr is part of the controversy. Continue Reading
SoundExchange adds two new execs
SoundExchange announced two new additions to its executive ranks. Mark Eisenberg will serve as senior vice president of strategic initiatives, while Jacqueline Peterson will take on the job of senior vice president of communications. Continue Reading
Swedish songwriters publish open letter of complaint about royalties
Dozens of Swedish songwriters signed an OpEd in Aftonbladet, a leading Swedish newspaper, complaining of low royalty payouts from streaming services compared to royalties collected by record labels, and predicted an imploding industry if a different balance is not created. Spotify is a target, but record labels get more heat. Continue Reading
Google possibly readying YouTube Radio
Google appears to be preparing a new YouTube feature called YouTube Radio. The description matches an existing YouTube Music experience called YouTube Mix. The new feature might be a subtle tweak, or a key new YouTube experience. Continue Reading