Watunes

WaTunes was a social music service founded in 2006 by American songwriter and entrepreneur Kevin Rivers. Based in Detroit, Michigan, WaTunes used to provide artist users an opportunity to get their music place into leading digital retailers such as iTunes, Napster, Amazon, Rhapsody, and eMusic. WaTunes was the world's first Facebook Music Store app that enables users to discover millions of songs, stream & download MP3s, share music on any social network and more on Facebook. WaTunes closed down in April 2010.

WaTunes
TypePrivate
IndustryMusic
GenrePublishing
Founded2006
Headquarters
Detroit
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsDigital delivery (music)
ServicesMP3 Downloads
MP3 Streaming
Number of employees
10+
ParentVenzo Digital
Websitewatunes.com

Artists

Though providing a social media service for thousands of independent artists, WaTunes has been used by many notable artists & celebrities.

Company Highlights
  • On March 3, 2009,[2] WaTunes made a historical announcement to offer its online music distribution service entirely free to musicians and other rights holders while they earn 100% of their royalties. This position has drawn immediate media attention from places such as Vator,[3] CNET,[4] and TechCrunch.[5]
  • On April 11, 2009, WaTunes partnered with Jango[6] to provide musicians the opportunity to get airplay in front of Jango's 6 million users.
  • On May 11, 2009, WaTunes partnered with SoundOps[7] to offer musicians a multi-mastering service. WaTunes is the first online music distribution service to offer independent artists and record labels the ability to track their sales on iTunes on a day-to-day basis.[8]
  • On February 22, 2010, WaTunes partners with MediaNet to launch the WaTunes Marketplace, a social music store that enables its users to discover and buy millions of songs.[9] The WaTunes Marketplace currently license songs from thousands of independent labels and major labels Universal Music Group & EMI Music.
  • On April 6, 2010, WaTunes launches Music Store, the first Facebook Application that enables its users to discover and buy millions of songs on Facebook using a full fledge storefront.[10]
  • On April 11, 2010, Warner Music Group signs its full catalog with WaTunes through MediaNet for WaTunes' Facebook application.[11]
  • On January 19, 2011, WaTunes closes its social website and moves all operations to Facebook. As a result, becoming one of the most convenient ways to download and share music on Facebook. WaTunes also secures license from Sony Music Entertainment, the last of the four major labels to sign its full catalog with WaTunes.[12]

References
  1. BigNews: NBA Legend Earl Monroe Joins Revolutionary Music Service
  2. Press Release: WaTunes Changes the Digital Music Industry
  3. Vator: Broadway vs. Nightclub
  4. CNET: WaTunes offers free digital distribution for musicians
  5. TechCrunch: WaTunes Sells Your Music On iTunes And Amazon Free Of Charge
  6. BigNews: WaTunes Joins Jango to Offer Airplay to Indie Artists
  7. PR-Inside: SoundOps Online Mastering Delivers an Earful
  8. Harmony Central: WaTunes Introduces iTunes Daily Trending Services
  9. BillBoard: Business Matters: Google Vs. iTunes, WaTunes, Reverb Nation and More
  10. Music Week: WaTunes brings music store to Facebook
  11. TechCrunch: WaTunes Signs Warner Music, Opens Store Inside Facebook Walls
  12. Mi2N: WaTunes Moves Solely to Facebook
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