ASCAP merges with Spotify

What is Spotify?

Spotify is an online streaming music catalogue.  The entity itself provides access to millions of musical works.  From what I have been exposed to, Spotify resembles Pandora in many ways. The most obvious similarity is the online streaming music radio concept.  However, with Pandora, the user creates a station around a favorite artist and then Pandora applies music the listener may like based on the artist chosen.  With Spotify, the user is able to create their playlist, with music of their own choosing.

Recently, the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) entered into a U.S. Licensing Agreement with Spotify and their digital streaming music service.  So what does this mean?  According to the agreement, Spotify is licensed to stream the musical works of over 415,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members of ASCAP.  The reputation that Spotify is building shows this is a huge impact on ASCAP members.

ASCAP members whom already have a decent following, now have a new avenue to reach their audiences; those members whom are just starting out have a larger demographic to utilize in regards to advertising.  ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento stated that ASCAP as a whole is elated to have entered into this agreement.  LoFrumento goes on to say this follows along with ASCAP’s commitment in pursuing fair payment for the public performance of its members’ work.

This is such an intriguing concept of networking.  ASCAP has a well-known reputation for how it takes care of its members and this agreement just solidified their consistency with their mission.  Spotify is not a new concept but they have found a different niche, that music lovers may find much more appealing than iTunes or Pandora has to offer.

I’m curious to see how successful this venture will be and what comes next. 

Maybe you’ll be hearing my music on Spotify soon!

ASCAP: http://musicindustrynewswire.com/2011/07/22/min4148_163707.php

Spotify: www.spotify.com