IODA Unveils Promonet Promotional Distribution Network

SAN FRANCISCO -- Sept. 15, 2005 -- the Independent Online Distribution Alliance -- today unveiled Promonet, a new promotional distribution network which will provide podcasters, bloggers, Internet radio stations, e-zines and other promotional music sites with thousands of pre-cleared, legal music tracks, videos, artwork, and other promotional assets from IODA's roster of over 750 leading independent labels. The digital distribution company also announced the creation of a groundbreaking promotional license that specifies terms under which qualified podcasters and bloggers can use and distribute PromoTracks from IODA's labels in podcasts and as full MP3 downloads. Music from a wide range of genres, including rock, pop, dance, classical, world and jazz, will be available as PromoTracks. Promonet is now accepting applications from qualified promotional partners at http://promonet.iodalliance.com, with a full launch expected by the end of the month.

IODA-distributed labels can select up to three songs per album for inclusion in Promonet. In addition to hosting PromoTracks, Promonet will also contain a directory of release-specific videos, photos, album art and other promotional assets posted by labels and artists, as well as preview clips of all tracks, and "buy links" for each release at the many digital music services and retailers to which IODA distributes. Promonet is an extension of IODA's industry-leading technology platform and a companion to its acclaimed Rightsholder Dashboard, the web-based business management tool which enables labels to review licensing deals, check and modify catalog information, manage account information, access sales and royalty reports, and approve and authorize digital distribution of their catalog. There is no charge to IODA-distributed labels to make their assets available on Promonet.

In exchange for access to the thousands of PromoTracks available in the system, qualified podcasters and bloggers must comply with a few simple rules designed to raise awareness of the artists and labels and drive sales of their music. PromoTracks must be properly identified and the sites using them in their programming must include links to the artists' sites as well as "buy" links to at least one digital and one physical retail site for each release. IODA will provide all necessary information and assets via the Promonet site.

This announcement comes in conjunction with the launch of IODA Digital Marketing, a new Internet marketing division designed to complement the company's core business of digital music and video distribution. IODA Digital Marketing will offer a combination of underground and commercial marketing programs tailored to meet the needs of labels and artists both small and large. Initial clients include Curumin, "Achados E Perdidos" (Quannum Projects); Stephen Lynch, "The Craig Machine" (What Are Records?); Dr Elmo, "Dr Elmo Sings The Boo's" (Laughing Stock); The Real Tuesday Weld "The Return Of The Clerkenwell Kid" (Six Degrees Records). Initial promotional partners include Amazon.com, Emusic, GoFish Technologies, Live365, Music.download.com and Better Propaganda.

"Promonet and IODA Digital Marketing are the key components of IODA's focus on the next phase of the independent digital music business," said IODA founder and CEO Kevin Arnold. "Indies have a great opportunity to take advantage of the promotional opportunities created by new technologies online. Because they tend to have less hang-ups about restricting the use of their music and more respect for their fans than the majors they can move more quickly and push the envelope to their benefit."

"The 'infinite shelf space' is already here, but the real challenge is getting the right music to the right fan," said Tim Mitchell, VP of Business and Product Development. "IODA Digital Marketing will take advantage of the 'many to many' nature of the Internet and its viral networks in order to promote music cheaply, effectively, and on a huge scale."

Mitchell and the IODA Digital Marketing staff will be attending the CMJ Music Marathon at Lincoln Center in New York this week and will be available to demo Promonet. Mitchell will appear on the "Podcast Compass" panel, Saturday, Sept 17th 11:30 a.m. in Avery Fisher Hall. IODA Director of Promotions Adam Rabinovitz will take part in the "Break It In the Blogosphere" panel, also on Saturday, Sept 17th at 11:30 a.m. in the Charles Dana Lounge.

About IODA

IODA -- the Independent Online Distribution Alliance -- is the industry-leading digital distribution company for the global independent music community. IODA provides comprehensive services to record labels, physical distributors, and artists, including license negotiations, media encoding and metadata management, royalty payment administration and reporting, and promotional support.