Universal Music Group has a plan to provide unique digital solutions that help record labels and artists easily sell and promote content directly to fans. Their distribution group has just signed with Echospin for direct-to-fan sales and promotions from their artist websites. The two companies say it’s the first time that a major music company has empowered its entire roster of artists to sell digital, physical and mobile goods from a single location. The announcement was made on August 25, by Jim Urie, President & CEO of UMGD, and Jon Lowy and Damian Manning, Co-Founders of Echospin.
PRNewswire reported on August 25, 2009 that Echospin, founded in 2003, is a technology company whose pioneering solutions enable entertainment companies to sell and promote digital, physical and mobile goods directly to fans. Echospin’s partners include Universal Music Group, Atlantic Records, Epic Records, Razor & Tie Entertainment, National Geographic, and many others.
According to Jim Urie:
“Echospin has created a market leading commerce and media delivery platform that facilitates the sale and promotion of digital, physical and mobile products all in one shot. It will provide our artists with unmatched opportunity and reach in the marketplace. As UMGD continues to expand and lead the industry in direct-to-fan initiatives, this agreement with Echospin will provide our artists and labels with more flexibility on how they distribute their music, while providing fans much easier access to a broad variety of content from the artists they are passionate about.”
“UMGD is committed to building closer relationships between artists and their fans. We’re thrilled they chose Echospin to be their partner in this unique opportunity,” commented Mr. Lowy.
“It’s exciting to see the world’s leading artists using our solutions to provide fans with the effortless and rewarding experiences they deserve,” added Mr. Manning.
One example of the new platform is the 3 Doors Down “Ultimate Fan Pack,” an Echospin-powered exclusive offer, which includes re-mastered CDs, a re-mastered vinyl LP, a poster, a special autographed “early entry pass,” T-shirt and an instant download of the re-mastered “Kryptonite” MP3 single.
This partnership between UMGD and Echospin is another example of how Universal Music is trying to keep in tune with the ever-changing music world.
Personally, I look forward to an Ultimate Fan Pack for Clay Aiken. Do you think we will get one with the new album?
I would be all over an “Ultimate Fan Pack” from Clay….
I am really loving all the new and exciting ways that UMG/Decca is trying to bring things up to speed in the music industry…. I am hopeful…I truly believe this is such a great move for Clay. I would imagine he researched everything he could find on every record label. He makes informed decisions.
Right now…I’m thrilled that we will get new music next year…if more comes out of it than that…well…IT’S ALL A BONUS….. All I know is that I am so ready for Clay, in any shape or form…. I really need to see and hear him again…
Hugs,
Judy
I am really enjoying hearing about all the new promotional technology that is coming for Universal Music. I think Clay Aiken will benefit from much of this new technology. One thing we can be sure of is that Universal will be backing their artists including Clay. Thanks for another great article!
I will never, ever, try to second guess Clay Aiken’s choices ever again. He quietly goes about his business and being the amazingly intelligent man that he is, makes all of the right decisions..now that he has the freedom to choose.
It is definitely going to be interesting to watch the changes taking place in the music world. Thrilled that Clay Aiken is involved with a company that is looking to the future instead of waiting and then trying to catch up.
Every day I am more impressed with UMG. Clay Aiken is a very wise man and I am truly looking forward to his partnership with Decca. Here’s to the future!
Thanks CANN for the informative articles!!!
“Personally, I look forward to an Ultimate Fan Pack for Clay Aiken. Do you think we will get one with the new album?”
You read my mind! Wouldn’t that be awesome!
Am I impressed with UMG ~ YES! There are so many facets to the different opportunities Clay Aiken will have in the coming years, it’s really an exciting time. I can not express greatly enough how happy I am for Clay that he signed with this label. Reading your blogs has informed me of why this is the #1 label in the industry.
Congratulations to Clay and congratulations to his fans.
Wow! Thanks for this encouraging news!! Clay Aiken will be finally getting the promotion he should get for his albums.
I love that the article said: “—empowered its entire roster of artists”, that certainly includes Clay 🙂
Thanks for keeping us up-to-date on the digital technology.
These informative blogs are great. It sounds like Clay made a wise choice in going with UMG/Decca.
I’m looking forward to Clay Aiken getting what he truly deserves!
I’d like to think UMG/Decca is ramping up for Clay! Can’t wait!
I’m not able to use the rate/thumbs up but happy to be able to comment again.
Echospin has created a market leading commerce and media delivery platform that facilitates the sale and promotion of digital, physical and mobile products all in one shot. It will provide our artists with unmatched opportunity and reach in the marketplace. As UMGD continues to expand and lead the industry in direct-to-fan initiatives, this agreement with Echospin will provide our artists and labels with more flexibility on how they distribute their music, while providing fans much easier access to a broad variety of content from the artists they are passionate about.”
I love this quote; it sounds like the “future” is HERE – again, I can not say how wise it was for Clay Aiken to go from RCA to UMG – brilliant move!
Looking forward to all the things to come!
Clay Aiken made a very wise choice in signing with UMG/Decca. They appear to be a very progressive, pro artist company, which should serve Clay very well in his future endeavors.
This is very exciting. I am impressed with UMG more and more. Clay is so smart to sign with them.
I’m looking forward to a music label with forward thinking. Digitals are less expensive to make and would mean a higher profit margin if they can increase the downloads. I think we may start to see incentives for downloading a certain number of songs. At least it would be nice to see bonus tracks with the download of so many songs….
Musicfan,
Thank you for keeping us educated on all the latest trends. Clay Aiken is wise to have signed with Universal Decca. I look Look forward to the results!
Caro
UMBG seems like the perfect fit for Clay Aiken, it’s on the cutting edge, it’s the largest label in the industry, and his talent can not be denied…
Great wishes to Clay and his fans as well. I look forward to his new CD in 2010 …
The music business is in transition and I believe Clay Aiken is making the right move with his music career now. UMG/Decca for Clay is great and Echospin sounds very promising.
I would be the first in line for an Ultimate Fan Package from Clay. I am very happy with his move to Decca. Echospin seems to be a very good idea. I’d love to get everything from them. They seem to be going in the right direction in the music business and I can’t wait for Clay to move forward and upward.