MTI Digital

MTI Digital was founded in 1988[1] as Music Technologies International by Lorraine Golden, who previously acted as general manager for Detroit radio stations WNIC and WQRS, and owner of WDTX.[2][3] The company was founded as an alternative to the easy-listening elevator music that was common in retail stores of the 1980s,[4] instead providing an experience similar to that of FM radio with popular music interspersed with commercial advertising.[5]

MTI initially provided background music by satellite to retailers such as Kmart,[6] tailoring the music and advertising to each specific retailer and its vendors.[7] In 2000, the company partnered with fellow background music provider Muzak to focus on in-store advertising sales to retailers such as Toys "R" Us and Rite Aid. This partnership saw MTI's focus shift from background music to point of sale advertising targeted at a retailers’ customers for much of the next decade.[5]

MTI ended its partnership with Muzak and pivoted back to in-store background music by 2009.[8] The company rebranded as MTI Digital in the 2010s and provides music and messaging via digital receivers rather than satellite,[9] as well as digital signage, menu boards, and sound system design.[10]

MTI Digital is a WBENC-certified Woman-owned business.[10]

MTI Digital's music and messages are programmed using a media player located at each location connected by the internet to MTI's servers.[9] Audio advertisements and music playlists are regularly updated on each player, ensuring that the content is up-to-date, and allowing MTI to customize the music and messaging program for each retailer and location.[11]

MTI provides music, audio messages, and digital signage primarily to national and regional convenience and retail stores as well as QSRs in the United States and Canada, including Rite Aid,[8] Jared Jewelers,[12] Wawa,[13] Sonic Drive-in,[12] Kum & Go,[10] Allsups,[14] and EZCorp.[15]