Indie Artists Flock to Widgets As Solution for Adding Virality to Campaigns
Pimphop Records Adopts Gydget as Widget Solution for Distributing Free Album Tracks
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - (May 22, 2008) - Gydget, the social marketing platform that allows music artists, labels, promoters and sports teams to reach their audiences on social networking and fan-based Web sites, today announced that Bay Area rapper/producer, Starski, will be releasing free tracks from his new album, "Tomorrow Ain't Promised" through his viral fan widget, or gydget, found on his MySpace page.
Direct-to-listener online campaigns have been a recent trend in the music industry, with both major label and indie artists opting to give their music away in lieu of, or in advance of, the commercial sale. "We took a close look at what was happening in the industry and decided that creating a buzz and getting Starski's music out there was the best way to ensure his success," said Petey Pistorelo, A & R Director of Pimp Hop Records. "We selected Gydget as the vehicle to distribute the tracks because we wanted this campaign to be about fans telling friends about the music. Gydget is the best way to create a complete music experience for a fan's page. The gydget is like a mini-MySpace page that fans can promote to their friends."
"Thanks to social networking sites and free fan-based marketing solutions such as gydget, indie artists now have the power to get their music heard, without having to rely on radio or more traditional label marketing," said Gerardo Capiel, CEO of Gydget. "We're thrilled to see Starski, and thousands of other indie bands taking their careers into their own control and getting their music heard."
Chris Herche, Head of New Media at Koch Records agrees. "Styles P, Myriad, Sheek Louch and Ray J are just a few of our indie artists using Gydget. Gydget's free widget solution allows artists and labels to spread their brand through social networking platforms, which is integral to an album's success. Gydget also updates automatically based on changes to the MySpace page, which saves us time and resources and keeps content fresh for our fans."
Fans looking to download Starski's tracks for free can find them on the Starski gydget on www.myspace.com/pimphoprecords. Bands and promoters that want to createthem for free at www.gydget.com.
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About Gydget:
Gydget provides a social marketing platform that allows music groups, sports teams, non-profits and other organizations to reach their audiences where they congregate most: at social networking and fan-based Web sites. Gydgets, the company's groundbreaking viral fan widgets, make it easy for promoters and bands to share event dates, box-office and merchandise links, music, news, videos and other information directly with fans and their friends who can, with a simple mouse click, add the gydgets to their personal profile pages, blogs and web sites. Gydget technology is used by many of the world's leading entertainers and sports teams including Beyonc, Gwen Stefani, Lil Wayne, The National Hockey League and the Oakland Raiders. Visit www.gydget.com for more information.
About Fancorps:
Utilizing the best in Web 2.0 features, Fancorps provides countless communication tools for an artist, label, manager, or company to effectively organize and manage a street team. The system is built for brands big and small, it is a hands on approach to street marketing and viral promotion that takes the relationship with the consumer or fan to a new level. Visit www.fancorps.com for more information.
PRESS CONTACT:
Michelle WohlGydget, Inc.
415.290.3707
mwohl@gydget.com