Songtradr is an American B2B music platform that claims to facilitate brands, content creators, and digital platforms in their use of music for licensing purposes. As of 2019[update], Songtradr was the largest music licensing platform in the world.[1]
 | |
| Industry | Music |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founders | Paul Wiltshire, Helge Steffen |
| Headquarters | Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Website | songtradr |
The platform offers products that can assist agencies, artists, and labels in the finding, licensing, and managing of music across various formats.[2]
Platform
editSongtradr is an automated music licensing marketplace. As of 2019[update] it was the marketplace for the work of 400,000 artists across 190 countries.[3] Songs represented on the platform are licensed by companies for advertisements, films, and television content,[4] and recordings are searchable through the Songtradr database.[5] Artists can upload their music to the platform and set licensing fees.[6]
Acquisitions and investments
editIn 2019, Songtradr acquired the creative licensing agency Big Sync Music.[4] In 2020, Songtradr acquired Cuesongs, which was originally founded by singer-songwriter Peter Gabriel.[7] In 2022 Cuesongs and Big Sync Music were merged.[8]
In 2020, Songtradr announced it had invested AUS $1.42 million (approximately US $1.03m) in Jaxsta.[9] This was followed up by a further AUS $3 million investment in April, 2022.[10]
In March 2021, Songtradr acquired Song Zu, a sound design company with studios in Sydney and Singapore.[11] In April, Songtradr acquired the music streaming platforms Pretzel[12] and Tunefind.[13]
In June 2021, Songtradr acquired MassiveMusic.[14] The Music Network reported that "the new deal will see MassiveMusic’s bespoke creative and strategic offerings integrated within Songtradr, giving brands and agencies access to a host of tech-enabled music licensing and sonic branding services under the same roof."[15]
In July 2022, Songtradr acquired music metadata company Musicube.[16]
In March 2023, Songtradr acquired London-headquartered B2B music company 7digital for £19.4 million (USD $23.4m).[17]
In September 2023, Epic Games announced it was selling album-sales platform Bandcamp to Songtradr for an undisclosed amount. In October, after the acquisition, Bandcamp fired approximately half of its staff.[18][19][20]
References
edit- ^ "Aussie owned Songtradr acquires London-based Big Sync Music". February 20, 2019.
- ^ "SONGTRADR ACQUIRES GLOBAL MUSIC TECH COMPANY 7DIGITAL". www.adweek.com. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
- ^ "Songtradr neemt muzieklicentiebedrijf Big Sync Music over" (in Dutch). February 20, 2019.
- ^ a b "'It creates an unparalleled music licensing solution': Songtradr acquires Big Sync Music agency". www.musicweek.com.
- ^ Chertkow, Randy; Feehan, Jason (September 4, 2018). Making Money with Music: Generate Over 100 Revenue Streams, Grow Your Fan Base, and Thrive in Today's Music Environment. St. Martin's Griffin. ISBN 9781250192097 – via Google Books.
- ^ "How To Release A Digital Album With Just A Few Hundred Dollars". June 16, 2016.
- ^ "Songtradr acquires UK-based sync licensing company Cuesongs". Music Business Worldwide. 2020-11-16. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
- ^ Smith, Dylan (2022-01-19). "Songtradr Merges Peter Gabriel-Founded Cuesongs Into Big Sync Music". Digital Music News. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
- ^ "Songtradr invests $1m in music credit resource Jaxsta, inks exclusive partnership". Music Business Worldwide. 2020-09-10. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
- ^ "Jacqui Louez Schoorl leaves Jaxsta". Business News Australia. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
- ^ "Songtradr Acquires Award-winning Music & Sound Design Company, Song Zu". AP News. 2021-03-09. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
- ^ "Songtradr acquires music licensing platform Pretzel". April 20, 2021.
- ^ "Songtradr acquires film tv and gaming music data platform tunefind". April 27, 2021.
- ^ Miller, Shannon. "Songtradr Acquires Creative Music Agency MassiveMusic". www.adweek.com. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
- ^ Brewster, Will (2021-06-02). "Songtradr acquires global creative music agency MassiveMusic". The Music Network. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
- ^ Eggertsen, Chris (2022-06-07). "Songtradr Acquires AI Metadata & Music Search Company Musicube". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
- ^ "Songtradr to acquire 7digital, a UK publicly listed B2B music technology company, in $23.4m deal". Music Business Worldwide. 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ Capoot, Ashley (2023-09-28). "Epic Games is eliminating 16% of its workforce and selling Bandcamp". CNBC. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
- ^ "Layoffs at Epic". www.epicgames.com. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
- ^ Ahmed, Aneesa (2023-10-17). "Bandcamp lays off half its staff after buyout by Songtradr". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-03-07.