This is the first interview in a series focussed on fan management. On one end of the spectrum there are companies offering basic CRM services and at the other end there are increasing numbers of companies claiming to be a full-service digital label. Through the series of CEO interviews, I hope to provide some insights into the new ways that artists and managers are leveraging the internet to build new kinds of relationships with their fans and managing the data that is now accessible through more advanced fan management services. (more…)
Archive for the ‘Tech Talk’ Category
More (Or Less) Shazam: Will Recognition Caps Drive Premium Purchases?
Friday, February 12th, 2010Shazam is now limiting the amount of free recognitions that users can enjoy, a move designed to force premium upgrades. Specifically, the latest 1.8.5 upgrade limits the user to 5 tags per month on the free app*. (more…)
Exclusive: Thumbplay Tapping Echo Nest On Upcoming Music Service…
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010Spotify is best known for its ad-supported, feels-like-free service, though the free-for-all is rubbing US-based majors the wrong way. But when it comes to mobile, on-the-go access, premium is the word. (more…)
Rdio Makes Its Debut, Privately, On the Apple App Store…
Friday, December 18th, 2009Rdio has chosen the iPhone as its launchpad, a good a place as any. This week, the heavily-anticipated music startup suddenly surfaced on the App Store, reachable only to private beta testers. That club appears quite small and restricted at the moment, and probably includes a handful of developers, executives, and backers. (more…)
Shazam Goes Premium: ‘Encore’ iPhone App Emerges…
Monday, November 9th, 2009One of the most popular - and free - apps now has a premium companion. Shazam is now launching its ‘Encore’ upgrade, a $4.99 (2.99 pound, 3.99 euro) app that offers faster recognition, recommendations, charts, and an in-car mode designed to easily identify songs played on the radio. (more…)
Auto-Tune Reborn: T-Pain Delivers iPhone App…
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009Jay-Z may have declared auto-tune dead, but T-Pain - alongside partners Antares and Smule - is now spreading the concept to the masses. Over the weekend, T-Pain delivered his much-anticipated auto-tune iPhone app, one decked in self-correcting glory. (more…)
CD on Demand Service for Servicing Amazon
Monday, August 3rd, 2009Digital aggregator Watunes that they have just partnered with Amazon to provide CD on Demand for artists using their service. What follows is a pitch but the service seems valuable to indie artists and labels.
Barry Coffing Music Supervisor.com (more…)
Breaking: 7digital Brokers European-Wide WMG Deal…
Monday, August 3rd, 2009UK-based 7digital and Warner Music Group have now finalized a European-wide licensing deal, according to disclosures early this morning. That means MP3s across the continent, instead of the usual, country-by-country negotiation. Starting immediately, 7digital stores in France, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy and Portugal are being stocked with the content, an expansion beyond the UK, Ireland, Spain, Austria and Germany. Other countries will soon be announced. (more…)
Exclusive: ArtistData Opening Platform to Outside Developers…
Friday, July 31st, 2009When it comes to do-it-yourself digital distribution, artists have plenty of low-cost partner options. The list includes ReverbNation, TuneCore, CD Baby, ArtistData, and soon, TopSpin (among others). But what if a band wants a more diversified set of distribution and promotional tools, instead of those offered by one service? (more…)
Spotify Beware: Grooveshark Testing Its Own iPhone App…
Friday, July 31st, 2009Who says the lawyers get to call the shots, anyway? Under the weight of a major label lawsuit, Grooveshark is still pressing ahead with an iPhone app. Grooveshark vice president Josh Bonnain tipped Digital Music News to the app on Thursday evening, and offered a pre-release version ahead of an Apple approval. (more…)
