Users will be able to download songs for free after viewing a 15-30 second advertisement, but will it catch on with music fans and will advertisers really embrace it?
Many, myself included, are always criticizing the music industry for its repeated inability to think outside the box, and the fact that 10 years after Napster it still needs our advice proves it’s shortcomings.
However, two of the so-called Big 4 record labels have signed up to provide their music libraries for a new site called FreeAllMusic where users can download songs for free after watching a brief 15-30 second advertisement.
“It’s iTunes meets Hulu,” said Richard Nailling, the site’s chief executive.
The way it works is that each song download requires that you select an ad to view, and whichever is chosen will then mean a payment to the site from that particular advertiser.
Some say that this particular method of advertising leads to a much more “receptive” and “engaged consumer” because they’ve chosen your company’s message, but I’m not so sure.
I think many will choose one at random just to get it over with, and the song downloaded as quickly as possible.
One point of concern for users is that FreeAllMusic plans to ask them if they can post their name and downloaded song in banner ads on other web sites, i.e. “Suzy Q just downloaded ‘I Wanna Feel It’ by the Black Eyed Peas courtesy of FreeAllMusic.com.” However, Drew from the site assures me that user anonymity is first and foremost in their minds, and that not can only they opt out, but one can promote their selections with a username instead if they so choose.
“FreeAllMusic.com users all have usernames of their own choosing,” he tells me in an email reply. “They are completely anonymous. So if they would like to promote the fact that they downloaded a particular song on FreeAllMusic.com, it would be their USERNAME on the banner ads, not their real name (unless that’s the name they wish to use when they register).”
So for some it could be an interesting way to user a favorite forum alias to share ones taste in music, and for others it may simply be an afterthought, an option of little interest.
“That is a very important point of clarification,” he furthers. “If you don’t want people to know you downloaded a Celine Dion song, nobody has to know unless your username is your real name.
It is an important point of clarification, especially if unbeknownst to ones friends, a person is, as Drew says, a fan of Celion Dion. It’s a frightening prospect to think your name and potentially embarrassing music tastes would be splattered across the Net for all to see, but as Nailling also insists, it would only happen with users’ approval and that some “will like the fact that they’re being influencers.”
The site’s still in beta, but you can sign up now to “be one of the first to lead the revolution.”
I like where the site’s headed. I think ad-supported business models definitely have a place in the music industry. I just hope they keep the ads brief and to the point.
Stay tuned.
.
Yet again, for those of us who want such legal services this is US only. The BPI in the UK really don’t seem to want UK users to have services like this, instead they promote pay services. Come on BPI, get your finger out of your bum and get services like this in the UK, that’s the way to cut down illegal downloads, give the customer what they want.