Helsinki based start-up Playmysong is on a mission to turn every mobile phone in the world into a remote control for music played in bars, cafes and stores. Today the company accounced that Overlook NYC bar near Grand Central terminal in New York has become the first venue in the United States to start using Playmysong.
“Playmysong started with the simple thought that when I’m in a bar and hear random backround music, why can’t I use my mobile phone to select my favorite song and play it? At home I get to choose what I listen to so why cannot I do it in bars?”, explains Timo Kari, the company’s co-founder.
The company’s solution is called Plamysong Remote, a mobile website in which visitors of Playmysong powered venues can browse through the venue’s music collection, choose their favorite song and press play. The service differs from SMS jukebox services by being completely free and having social media integration with Facebook and Twitter.
“From day one we realized that this is something bigger than just a mobile jukebox. With Playmysong you can see in real time who is playing what music in which bar aound you. You can also see what music bars have available and go to a place that has the music you like the most”, says co-founder Rami Korhonen.
“The big question is of course, how do bars offer Playmysong for their customers? Our answer is Playmysong Stereo, a free iPhone app which turns any iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad into a social music player. Android will also be added in a couple of months”, Timo explains.
Playmysong is tapping into the massive success of Apple’s mobile devices. To date over 160 million iPhones, iPod Touches and iPads have been sold. The free Playmysong app can be used in bars, stores, cafés and private events to offer the social music service for the people present. The prerequisite for using Playmysong is the venue’s own music collection in iTunes and wireless internet connection.
The company’s business model is based on a free basic service and optional premium packages aimed at public venues. For 399 USD per year a venue can get improved visibility and the possibility to create prescheduled playlists to accommodate different musical athmospheres in different times.
Playmysong was first piloted in Painobaari, a bar in Finland’s capital Helsinki. In first two months more than 800 songs were played by bar visitors, 45% of users played more than five songs and 75% more than one song. “The pilot showed us that people really get hooked with our service. One guy actually played 73 songs in the first few weeks!”, says Rami.
In March the Playmysong founders will do a roadshow in the USA, including SXSW conference in Austin. “North American market is key to our success. Our service is made for the Foursquare generation and what better place to launch than in New York, which is one of the nightlife capitals of the planet”, Timo explains. The company will also be pitching at the SXSW AppCircus event on Monday March 14th.
Playmysong founders have set their goals high. Rami sums up their vision: “iPods, Spotify and Pandora changed the way hear music in private occasions. We are here to change the way we hear music in public locations.”
For further information, please contact:
Rami Korhonen
Partner & Co-Founder
rami@playmysong.com
Mobile: +358407307813
More info also from these sites:
Playmysong: www.playmysong.com
Overlook: www.overlooknyc.com
AppCircus@SXSW: http://appcircus.com
Circus Mashimus: www.circusmashimus.com
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