When it comes to mobile music, few people have the perspective of Thomas Dolby Robertson.
The singer/songwriter-turned-software developer used last week’s MobileMusiCon to launch his latest offering, a Web-based software application for ringtone creators and wireless carriers. RetroFolio 1.0 allows music producers, copyright owners and mobile operators to build a database and archive mobile music, including ringtones, truetones and song clips such as MP3 or WAV files.
The software analyzes each file and validates it against a matrix of handsets and network specifications, flagging incompatibilities and storing metadata (such as title, artist and vendor).
The idea is to expedite the process of bringing mobile music to market, said Robertson, who had a series of pop hits under the name Thomas Dolby in the 1980s and 1990s.
“(The software) is basically an asset management system that allows all of these players in the supply chain to log into,” said Robertson, founder and president of Retro Ringtones L.L.C. “Ringtones have a very short shelf life; sales really spike in the first three or four weeks. If you lose 10 days of that (in production and delivery), you’ve lost a big chunk of your sales.”
Beatnik Inc., another company founded by Robertson also used the conference to launch its latest offering in a separate announcement. Beatnik announced an upgrade to its Mobile Sound Builder (MSB) software, a PC-based audio content development tool for Mobile XMF and SP-MIDI files.
The product is designed to improve mobile audio quality while minimizing download times, and can incorporate sampled sound effects into digital music backing tracks.
Last week’s conference brought a slew of new agreements, product launches and service offerings in the mobile music space. Among the more notable announcements:
c Two new companies made news by teaming with hip-hop star Jay-Z. Content provider ThumbPlay and mobile marketer Swagger Wireless announced a promotion for the “Jay-Z and Friends” tour to encourage fans to send text messages before concerts. Prior to the show, mobile users can send messages that are displayed on screens installed around the concert venues for $1 per message.
“We wanted to create a promotion that offered something new for the fans; offering a means of interacting with each other in a playful way,” said ThumbPlay Founder and President Are Traasdahl. “The response from the audience has been unbelievable, another sign that the U.S. wireless entertainment market continues to demonstrate steady growth patterns.”
c Versaly Entertainment signed an agreement with Sir Mix-A-Lot to bring the venerable rapper’s music to handsets. Ringtones will be available through most U.S. and Canadian carriers for $1 to $3 each via Versaly’s ForFones mobile storefront.
“Versaly absolutely gets it-the need for funny, creative mobile products for the youth market,” said Mix-A-Lot, best known for the 1992 hit “Baby Got Back.”
c Mobile technology company m-Qube announced it will deliver ringtones, images, messaging and other content from the Warner Music Group. WMG artists such as R.E.M., Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lil Scrappy and The Flaming Lips will provide the content, which will be available through mobile Web stores on every major U.S. carrier.
c Blue Frog Mobile Inc. launched a new affiliation program encouraging Web-based businesses to offer content on their Web sites. The company hopes to sell ringtones and other Blue Frog content through third parties, sharing revenues with Web site owners acting as a storefront.
c TVT Records-the self-described No. 1 independent record company in the United States-will establish a digital store with publisher Navio Digital Commerce Solutions. The companies will partner to sell ringtones and mastertones, wallpaper, MP3s and digital albums to consumers via a Navio-powered storefront. Content will be provided by TVT artists including Sevendust, Pitbull and Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz. RCR
