imeem Launches Pioneering Ad-Supported Interactive Music Service, Powered by SNOCAP

imeem Launches Pioneering Ad-Supported Interactive Music Service, Powered by SNOCAP

Fastest Growing Social Media Network Enables Users to Discover, Recommend and Share New Music From More Than 5,000 Record Labels; Artists Promote Themselves and Earn Money

imeem, the fastest-growing social media network, today announced the launch of a pioneering initiative powered by SNOCAP, the premier music technology company for direct artist-to-fan online distribution, to compensate artists through an ad-supported revenue share when their music is streamed on the imeem service. First revealed in March and available today, the service launches with three million tracks, including music from imeem’s record label partners Nettwerk, Beggars Group, Matador Records, Om Records, and XL Recordings, artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Barenaked Ladies, Public Enemy, M.I.A., Thom Yorke, Sarah McLachlan, Belle & Sebastian, and Thievery Corporation, and distributors including IODA, The Orchard, IRIS, INgrooves and Redeye Distribution.

For the past year, thousands of artists have used imeem to share and promote their work. Now, imeem’s active user base of more than 16 million will have access to listen to many more of their favorite bands and discover new music online. Entry is open to any artist or content owner who would like to join, and there is no cost to music fans.

“We are excited to be a part of imeem’s ad-supported interactive music service,” said Brent Muhle, general manager, Nettwerk Music Group. “imeem allows Nettwerk to bring its artist and their music to a great community of people and music fans and now provides musicians a new source of revenue.”

“imeem combines music discovery, sharing and social networking with a revenue stream,” said Simon Wheeler, director of digital at Beggars Group. “With this launch, imeem is showcasing what can be delivered when technology works with rights holders to deliver compelling music services to music fans.”

“We’ve been collaborating with imeem for more than a year on the promotional level, and it’s been a success,” said Tim Mitchell, vice president of marketing, IODA. “imeem’s commitment to music discovery, particularly on an independent level, has always been clear, and we’re confident this new component of their business will lead to still more opportunities for our labels.”

“imeem’s business model and promotional network will be a big win for our labels to market their new releases to fans and make money doing it,” said Matt Laszuk, CEO of IRIS Distribution.

imeem uses SNOCAP’s proprietary Digital Registry and content identification platform to give content owners, such as music labels and artists, the choice to make their music available for streaming by imeem users and earn income through an advertising revenue share. The new SNOCAP-enabled imeem service automatically identifies uploaded content, determines if the content owner has permitted streaming on the imeem service, and then distributes a pro-rata share of the advertising revenue to the proper recipient. To participate in the imeem service, the rights holder must register content with SNOCAP by creating an account and uploading their tracks at www.SNOCAP.com.

“Now, today, everyone can get what they want; fans can listen and share music and know the artists and bands they love get fair compensation for their creative work, and artists can promote their music as aggressively as they like within an artist-friendly paid offering,” said Rusty Rueff, chief executive officer of SNOCAP. ”SNOCAP’s Digital Registry will power imeem’s unique, balanced and innovative ad-supported revenue sharing program to enable artists and labels to retain control over their music and reach a massive online base of new and existing fans, who in turn will promote the artists’ music. It doesn’t get much better than this for everyone.”

“imeem is creating a fair and sustainable approach to music online for both content owners and music fans. SNOCAP’s technology, including its Digital Registry, has been a valuable resource to help power the next phase of our social media network,” said Dalton Caldwell, founder and chief executive officer of imeem. “We’ll continue to work closely with major and independent labels to promote and connect artists with our rapidly growing user community while helping the artists to get paid.”

ABOUT IMEEM

imeem, the fastest-growing social media network, provides a new online experience focused on creative expression and discovery. imeem enables its users to create, find and share all forms of digital media, including music, video, photos, and art, with more than 16 million active users. The company has partnered with hundreds of music labels, film/video companies, and digital distributors to promote thousands of bands, directors, DJs, and artists worldwide. imeem is located in San Francisco, Calif. and launched its web-based service in March 2006.

For more information, visit www.imeem.com.

About SNOCAP

SNOCAP’s unique digital registry of four million tracks provides real-time management of online licensing, rights and distribution of digital music, making it easy for artists and labels to sell music directly to their fans over the Internet and helping to power a more vibrant digital music marketplace. Using SNOCAP’s MyStores, independent artists can sell their music on any website and via online retailers anywhere, anytime, while remaining fully in control of the licensing and rights. SNOCAP’s exclusive partnership with MySpace powers the MySpace Music Service.

In addition to MySpace, SNOCAP provides digital music and technology services to imeem, ReverbNation, ADA, the Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT, EMI, The Orchard, CD Baby, TVT Records, Artemis Records/Sheridan Square Entertainment, Beggars Group, InRadio, Koch Records, Nettwerk Records, Matador Records, Merlin, One Little Indian Records, Redeye Distribution, Ryko Group, Slide, RockYou, PumpAudio, Shoutlife, Hip Hop CrackSpace and an extensive roster of leading independent labels. Founded by Shawn Fanning, Jordan Mendelson and Ron Conway in 2002, SNOCAP aims to be the trusted solution powering the global marketplace for digital media. The company is based in San Francisco, California.

For more information, visit http://www.snocap.com.
Contacts

imeem
Gina Wilkinson, 415-762-0135
press {at} imeem(.)com
or
Swan LLC Media (for SNOCAP)
Susan Celia Swan or Elizabeth Govea, 415-814-3031
swan {at} swanllc(.)com