Today is a really exciting day for the Windows Social Media Team. We are pleased to be partnering with Reverb Nation to launch a program called Sponsored Songs. Starting today on MySpace.com/Windows anyone can download for free over 1,000 songs from up and coming artists. ReverbNation, the leading marketing platform for musicians, announces the launch of ‘Sponsored Songs,’ a new online music distribution program that will give music fans access to unlimited free song downloads. Through this innovative pilot program, a passive advertisement is embedded alongside the album cover art that is seen by music fans when they play the song on their computer, portable device or phone. The advertising in Sponsored Songs travels with the fans wherever they enjoy their music – giving the advertiser frequent and regular brand exposure, and the fan free music.
With Sponsored Songs, ReverbNation is providing a new and unique way for music fans to get access to online music at no cost. Windows is pleased to be the first advertiser to participate in this pilot program. The program is unique in that it compensates these independent artists for their work while at the same time increasing their exposure to a much broader audience. Participation by the artists is 100% voluntary.
This Sponsored Songs partnership is also Windows launch into MySpace. MySpace is the hands-down leader in emerging artists and Windows wants to celebrate that by offering free music our Windows friends on MySpace.
The Windows Social Media team has always been focused on participating in conversations about Windows wherever our customers are. We are excited to add MySpace to our partnership of social networks already established on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. While there is a digital media buy on MySpace the majority of promotion for this program will be through our social channels. It’s our goal to carry conversations with our customers across platforms. With our 100,000+ Facebook fans we promote our YouTube videos. With our 23,000+ Twitter followers we link to our Facebook wall. You get the idea. We are always moving content through all of our communities as an ongoing conversation with our customers.
What I really love about this Sponsored Songs program is it lends itself to the idea of the internet connecting people across borders as well as celebrity. I love the idea of spotlighting new, upcoming artists and together combining our social networks to promote each other. Two networks is by multiply more powerful than one. Windows network combined with the 1000’s of the bands networks will benefit everyone especially with the added relevance of people’s own network spreading the message.
This partnership could not have been possible without our fantastic agency Ignite bringing us all together! So go get your music! Every week we will feature 10 new songs. I just grabbed Sarah Bettens Shine. More info in video below.
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pretty neat!
After reading one blog about this, earlier today (on Marcus at Microsoft’s Space!), I wandered over to see what was what, so to speak. And stayed for ages. Found tons of good records. This is a beautiful site. Hope someone will tell me whether I can feature any of this stuff on my own radio programmes. I take part in a charity radio station here in uk. You can find our website by typing “Hospital Radio Lynn” without quotes, into your browser. This music site certainly fired my interest in new recordings. There are certain Artists which I’ll definitely be looking out for. Love this:-)
Marty — The Myspace site is quite slick, and your team’s strategic approach to launching it was well thought out. I’m both an online marketer, as well as a late Sponsored Songs bandwagon jumping artist, and am impressed on both fronts. Props to you and your team. Let me know if you ever need a theme song.
Best,
Mike
PS. I write, record, mix, and master all my music on a Windows XP Home Edition PC, baby.
hi marty,
I think this is a really good opportunity and a great idea.
pls let me know how to connect my band to this offer….
greets and thx alex
i I WAS FILLING OUT MY INFO FOR 1000 FREE SONGS AND LOST TEXT AT THE PHONE # CAN YOU REFUND ME MY WINNINGS? DATE DEC1 09 1100 PM
ATTN……………… HELP…HELP