SpiralFrog Tips - ALL The Latest Info and Rumors on the Free Music Downloading Site

SpiralFrog Signs Pair of Licensing Deals - International Business Times -

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 04:21:00 +0000

SpiralFrog Signs Pair of Licensing Deals : "SpiralFrog Signs Pair of Licensing Deals

Would be ad-based iTunes alternative adds indy UK label, aggregator to lineup

By Thomas Fredrickson

Posted 10 February 2007 @ 04:28 pm EST

(International Business Times) - SpiralFrog, the firm that hopes to expand the online music market beyond payment-based iTunes and others with its ad-supported music service, signed a pair licensing deals this week in anticipation of a launch early this year. "

SpiralFrog still plans to launch, but has no firm date

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 05:53:00 +0000

SpiralFrog still plans to launch, but has no firm date - The Washington Times - Click for Full Story:

More interesting press on SpiralFrog today. Still looks like a go to me.

Nuff Said

Ed

SpiralFrog sent its attorney to the MIDEM music industry gathering in Cannes to replace former CEO Robin Kent, who was ousted late last month -- when the service had been set to go live.

'There's been a management shake-up,' Marc Jacobson of the law firm Greenberg Traurig told a conference at which Mr. Kent had been due to speak.

SpiralFrog still plans to launch, Mr. Jacobson said, but has no firm date. "

PRESS RELEASE SpiralFrog Appoints Jordan Levin as Director

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 03:30:00 +0000

SpiralFrog Appoints Jordan Levin as Director:

Looks like SpiralFrog is back on track for now.

Ed Osworth

SpiralFrog today announces that Jordan Levin, founding partner of Generate and former CEO of the WB television network, has been appointed to its Board of Directors. SpiralFrog is a downloadable music website that is running off an advertising revenue model launching early in 2007.
Levin previously helped launch, build and brand The WB broadcast network culminating with his appointment as the youngest CEO in broadcast television history."

SpiralFrog leaps out of boiling water - set to launch in early '07 despite CEO exit

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 04:01:00 +0000

SpiralFrog leaps out of boiling water - set to launch in early '07 despite CEO exit - Click Here for Full Story : "SpiralFrog leaps out of boiling water - set to launch in early '07 despite CEO exit"

Well perhaps the doom and gloom are over. Looks like after a few weeks of uncertainty that Spiralfrog is jumping back into business.

Ed Osworth

SpiralFrog said on Wednesday it plans to launch its free music download service in early 2007 even as the start-up company reshuffles management following the departure of its CEO.

SpiralFrog launch set back by CEO departure - source

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:18:00 +0000

SpiralFrog launch set back by CEO departure - source - Click Here to Real Full Article :
Except for the delay part - it pretty much sounds like a rehash of the same story that has been around for days.

Nuff Said

Ed Osworth

"SpiralFrog, a start-up company that promised consumers free music downloads supported by advertising, will likely delay the service's launch due to the departure of its chief executive, a source familiar with the situation said on Wednesday."

WOW! CEO, Other Execs Depart Ad-Supported Music Download Firm SpiralFrog

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 06:58:00 +0000

Click Here For Full Story at CNET

More and more strange news.

Everyone leaving, folks commenting that it was doomed from the beginning.

True, but then again YouTube hasn't yet made a dime and it sold for over a billion to Google.

Still this Spiralfrog drama is very interesting.

Nuff Said

Ed Osworth

CNET News.com reported on Tuesday that the CEO, at least six other executives and three members of the board of directors have left SpiralFrog, which is developing an ad-supported, free music download service.

Three former SpiralFrog executives told News.com that CEO Robin Kent, who before joining SpiralFrog was head of ad agency Universal McCann, was ousted from the company during a recent board meeting.

Following Kent's ouster, "three directors with strong music-industry ties resigned almost immediately," News.com reported, and were followed by executives including the company's heads of marketing, strategy and operations.

Digital Rights Management, SpiralFrog PR and the The Economics of Content

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 01:00:00 +0000

The Economics of Content - Click Here for Full Article:

It is this oft mentioned pre-launch hype that keeps me convinced that SpiralFrog will launch, in spite of the recent firing of the CEO and other ominous signs this last week.

This hype has a significant dollar and PR value, and I don't expect that it will be wasted.

Some smart folks will take advantage of it - even if it isn't the original board of directors.

Nuff Said

Ed Osworth

"After the success of eMusic and pre-launch hype for ad-supported SpiralFrog, both of which offer so-called “naked” music files, there is growing pressure on the labels and download channels to remove restrictive or plain clumsy software that, while it attempts to preserve creators’ rights, can spoil the user experience."

Web Sites to Create `More Value,' EMI's Faxon Says

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 00:05:00 +0000

Web Sites to Create `More Value,' EMI's Faxon Says. Clck Here For Full Story:

Yet another example of SpiralFrog's pre-launch hype showing up in the international news at Bloomberg. These daily press mentions are a PR person's wet dream.

Nuff Said

Ed Osworth

"The company's music publishing division signed an agreement in September to let the ad-supported SpiralFrog Web site use EMI's catalog of music for its download service in the U.S.

SpiralFrog, based in New York, lets users of its ``no- cost'' service legally download music, EMI said. SpiralFrog said in August Vivendi SA's Universal Music Group would offer its songs for free to North American customers on SpiralFrog."

Flash: SpiralFrog Axes CEO

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 01:56:00 +0000

Click Here for full story on SpiralFrog Axes CEO: "

Here is another story regarding the changes at SpiralFrog.

How this affects the service, no one seems to know.

Stay tuned for updates at http://SpiralFrog.com

Ed Osworth

Spiralfrog, the much-hyped startup that's gearing up to offer ad-supported music and video downloads from the major labels, has ousted CEO Robin Kent, according to an industry source who confirmed chatter on the Velvet Rope, "

New Problems for SpiralFrog ad-supported music service?

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 05:01:00 +0000

New Problems for SpiralFrog ad-supported music service ??:

Hoo Boy - This doesn't look good.

We will have to see how this plays out.

With all the press I have a hard time believing that it will not launch at all.

Probably a bump in the road. Keep watching spiralfrogtips.com for updates on this breaking news.

Ed Osworth

"If you were looking forward to trousering free tunes in return for listening to a few adverts... well, you might have to wait a bit longer. SpiralFrog, which was due to launch late last year, has reportedly run into problems.
According to a bulletin from music biz consultancy Music Ally, the company has laid off several of its executive team, and pulled out of a panel slot at this week's MidemNet music biz conference in Cannes."

How does SpiralFrog free music downloading service work?

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:38:00 +0000

How does SpiralFrog work?

That is the million dollar question. I have read every piece of info, every press release and every blog out there and have yet to come up with the definitive answer.

According to most of the info, it works by forcing you to watch advertisements, after which you will be able to download songs.

I have also heard that you will need to keep visiting the SpiralFrog site to keep these songs from locking themselves up with some sort of digital rights management scheme.

SpiralFrog claims they are in "Beta" but I have yet been able to locate a single beta tester. If you are one - please respond with a comment as I would love to get this info from the horse's mouth. I would suspect, though, that the beta testers may be sworn to secrecy.

So there are many mysteries including, what file format, will it be able to be transferred from one computer to another, will you be able to copy the file etc?

Will it work with ipod, zune, whatever?

As soon as I can come up with the answers to ANY of these questions I will post on the blog. I have been updating it daily and plan to continue to do so.

If you have any of this info please contact me with a comment below so I can pass it on.

Inquiring minds want to know, that is for sure.

Ed Osworth

Groups criticize proposed music DRM legislation

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 07:50:00 +0000

Groups criticize proposed music DRM legislation: "January 18, 2007 (IDG News Service) -- Consumer rights groups have voiced opposition to legislation introduced in Congress last week that would require Internet broadcasters to deploy DRM (digital rights management) technology to prevent listeners from making unauthorized copies of music files.

Senator Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, and three other senators introduced the Platform Equality and Remedies for Rights Holders in Music (Perform) Act Jan. 11 after the same piece of legislation failed to pass through Congress in 2006. The Perform Act would require all satellite, cable and Internet broadcasters to deploy 'reasonably available' copy-protection technology and to prevent listeners from using recording devices to copy specific songs or artists."

SpiralFrog Nabs Blanket BMI License... Including Beatles Catalog?

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 04:00:00 +0000

SpiralFrog Nabs Blanket BMI License... Including Beatles Catalog?
:

SpiralFrog, the ad-driven music listening site, has signed a deal with performing rights organization BMI to offer every song in the BMI extensive catalog (it probably constitutes something approaching half of all released music -- about 6.5 million songs)."

01/18/07 - SpiralFrog website is currently in Beta, and will debut in Q1 2007.

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 09:25:00 +0000

ABOUT US Spiral Frog 01/18/2007

SpiralFrog is a new online music destination, offering ad-supported legal downloads of audio and video content licensed from the catalogs of the world’s major and independent record labels.

SpiralFrog will be a secure environment where music lovers can satisfy their unyielding passion and thirst for music, entertainment, and information. Our site will be as multifaceted, smart, and current as the audience we hope to attract. An audience that we believe is the driving force behind the way music is created, discovered, and consumed today.

The SpiralFrog website is currently in Beta, and will debut in Q1 2007.

CMRRA-SODRAC AND SPIRALFROG CONCLUDE ONLINE LICENCE AGREEMENT FOR CANADA

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 09:00:00 +0000

Spiral Frog: "CMRRA-SODRAC AND SPIRALFROG CONCLUDE ONLINE LICENCE AGREEMENT FOR CANADA
New York, December 14, 2006 - CMRRA-SODRAC Inc (CSI) today announces that it has concluded a license agreement with SpiralFrog for its forthcoming advertising supported internet music service. Under the terms of this agreement, CSI has granted SpiralFrog the right to reproduce the vast majority of copyrighted songs from copyright owners who do business in Canada."

Free Music--Next Year? SpiralFrog will miss its planned December launch and is now hoping to make its debut by the end of January

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 08:45:00 +0000

Free Music--Next Year? - Forbes.com: "SpiralFrog, the free music downloading service that made a series of splashy announcements in 2006, has yet to get wet.
The New York City-based company drew attention in August, when it announced plans to distribute music downloads from Vivendi's Universal Music Group for free, via an ad-supported Web site. But the company, like others that have promised to work with major music labels to provide alternatives to both illegal file-sharing sites and Apple's (nasdaq: AAPL - news - people ) dominant iTunes music store, is behind schedule. It will miss its planned December launch and is now hoping to make its debut by the end of January."

'If past is prologue, SpiralFrog, will come up short

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 08:34:00 +0000

The Digital-Music Mosh Pit: "'If past is prologue, SpiralFrog and Kazaa, too, will come up short. But all these failures are in the service of a dynamic evolution. Someone—and that someone is likely already at work on the key advance—will figure this out. "

The launch of a legal free music site is just the latest sign of our insatiable appetite for freebies.

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 08:33:00 +0000

Guardian Unlimited | Comment is free | Giving it all away: "Giving it all away

The launch of a legal free music site is just the latest sign of our insatiable appetite for freebies. So do we know the true value of anything any more? "

Free music downloads get Universal blessing

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 08:31:00 +0000

Free music downloads get Universal blessing - WebWatch - Breaking Business and Technology News at silicon.com

A start-up hailing from the Big Apple is touting a free music downloads business model that record companies can buy into.

The 20-person start-up, SpiralFrog, has signed a deal with record label Universal Music Group to offer songs for free, aiming to make money by showing ads to users as they download the music.

SpiralFrog talking with Samsung, Creative, and others on a possible "iPod+iTunes Killer"

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 08:29:00 +0000

Digital Journal - SpiralFrog will probably take some of Apple's marketshare

SpiralFrog talking with Samsung, Creative, and others on a possible "iPod+iTunes Killer"

The rumour going around is saying that the delay of the free legal SpiralFrog music download application (link) is related to them moving away from traditional PlaysForSure DRM and talking with the record industry, MP3 manufactures and advertising agencies on creating their own closed market. Much like iPod-iTunes and Zune-Zune Marketplace. The only difference is that the service will be free.

BMI AND SPIRALFROG COMPLETE LICENSING AGREEMENT FOR STREAMING OF BMI REPERTOIRE

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 08:18:00 +0000

Spiral Frog: "BMI AND SPIRALFROG COMPLETE LICENSING AGREEMENT FOR STREAMING OF BMI REPERTOIRE
NEW YORK, December 11, 2006 Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) today announced that it has completed a licensing agreement with broadband entertainment network SpiralFrog, a downloadable music website based on an advertising revenue model that will launch in early 2007 in the United States. Through its licensing agreement with BMI, SpiralFrog is able to legally use the more than 6.5 million musical works represented by BMI."

Independent Label KOCH Records Signs On To SpiralFrog’s Advertising-Supported Legal Music Download Service

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 08:18:00 +0000

Spiral Frog: "Independent Label KOCH Records Signs On To SpiralFrog’s Advertising-Supported Legal Music Download Service
New York, September 20, 2006 KOCH Records, one of the top US independent record labels, has signed an agreement with SpiralFrog to make its extensive catalog available for legal downloading worldwide via SpiralFrog’s advertising-supported service.

With this agreement, SpiralFrog solidifies its commitment to independent as well as major-label music. It reinforces SpiralFrog’s belief that offering the broadest possible choice to its target audience people between the ages of 13 and 34 will benefit everyone, including music lovers, participating labels, advertisers, and SpiralFrog."

HELENE BLUE AND SPIRALFROG SIGNS LICENSE FOR DELIVERY OF AD SUPPORTED MUSIC

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 08:16:00 +0000

Spiral Frog: New York, - In its aggressive drive to license the underlying musical compositions before launch, SpiralFrog and Helene Blue today announce the execution of a licensing agreement that allows SpiralFrog’s use of their catalogue for legal downloading."

Whatever Happened To Spiral Frog? | Medialoper

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 04:02:00 +0000

Whatever Happened To Spiral Frog? | Medialoper: "Whatever Happened To Spiral Frog?
Back at the end of August, I did a piece on Spiral Frog, the self-proclaimed online music destination that was going give you, the music-loving public, FREE legal downloads from various major and indie labels. At the time, I didn’t think that — given the fact that the DRM’d, ad-supported music was free in price only — it was the type of devils bargain for which the music loving public was going to fall.
I still don’t. And on at the bottom of each press release in their Press Release section, I discovered this little gem which shows just how little they may know about their target audience:"

SpiralFrog Looking Like a Toad

noreply@blogger.com (EdO) — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 03:55:00 +0000

SpiralFrog Looking Like a Toad: "SpiralFrog was supposed to leap into 'free' music downloads this year, but it didn't happen. According to Forbes, the company now hopes to launch at the end of January.

SpiralFrog has yet to land the catalogs of Warner Music Group or Sony BMG, so if it launches early in 2007, it will be dominated by smaller labels, which drastically reduces the service's appeal. And as Forbes pointed out, two other alternative music revenue schemes -- Qtrax and Mashboxx -- haven't gotten out of the gate with services even after years of trying. "