Music technology company Audoo has partnered with ESMAA, an Abu Dhabi-based music rights organization, to enhance the management and distribution of public performance royalties in the Middle East.
As part of the partnership, Audoo’s Audoo Audio Meter and its insights platform will be integrated into ESMAA’s operational framework. This technology rollout, also taking place in the UK, Europe, Australasia, and Africa, aims to enhance the accuracy and transparency of data collection and payment distribution for public performance royalties.
By combining Audoo’s technology with ESMAA’s licensee network and multi-rights regional repertoire database, the collaboration seeks to deliver “smart” reporting of music usage across various platforms. This initiative aims to optimize payments to artists and rights holders.
“ESMAA is at the forefront of building a modern rights company and through implementing the best technology from Audoo, we bridge the path of identifiable potential income with a system that optimizes the use of music recognition in public performance spaces,” said Spek, Founder and CEO of ESMAA.
“Collaborating with Audoo represents a significant step towards modernizing the music rights landscape in our region. Their innovative technology complements our efforts in safeguarding the rights of creators and ensuring a fairer music ecosystem.”
“ESMAA is at the forefront of building a modern rights company and through implementing the best technology from Audoo, we bridge the path of identifiable potential income with a system that optimizes the use of music recognition in public performance spaces.”
Spek, ESMAA
Ryan Edwards, Founder & CEO of Audoo added: “This partnership with ESMAA aligns with Audoo’s mission to ensure artists are fairly compensated.
“Our technology promises to bring a new level of precision to royalty distribution across the Middle East, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on the music community.”
The Audoo team and board include senior experts from renowned entities such as APRA AMCOS, BMG, Bowers and Wilkins, PRS For Music, Sony Music Publishing and more.
Established in 2018, Audoo joined Abbey Road’s tech start-up incubator Abbey Road Red in 2019.
The company then introduced the Audoo Audio Meter, a device designed for the collection of data pertaining to public music performances. This technology is aimed at enhancing real-time accuracy, transparency, and reporting, all while minimizing any substantial impact on licensees, performance rights organizations, and collective management organizations.
“Our technology promises to bring a new level of precision to royalty distribution across the Middle East, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on the music community.”
Ryan Edwards, Audoo
When deployed in business establishments like cafes, bars, salons, restaurants, gyms, and retail locations, the Audoo Audio Meter operates by identifying the playing music, aligning it with song data, and subsequently transmitting this usage information back to PROs and CMOs.
In 2020, Audoo secured GBP £5.2 million (approximately USD $6.6 million) in its series A funding round, followed by an additional £7.2 million in its pre-series B funding round in 2021. Notable backers of the company include MPL Ventures, Tileyard London, Steve Sidwell, and Björn Ulvaeus (ABBA/CISAC).
Audoo last month raised another $5 million in funding from a group of investors including legendary British musician Sir Elton John and his husband and manager, David Furnish.
In August, Audoo partnered with UK-based music rights management organizations PRS for Music and PPL to enhance the distribution of music royalties to more than 300,000 artists, composers, writers, music publishers, and recording rightsholders.
The deal saw the integration of Audoo Audio Meters in establishments across Great Britain.
The latest partnership with ESMAA follows the appointment of Melanie Johnson as Chief Commercial Officer, reporting directly to CEO Ryan Edwards. Johnson has been tasked with overseeing the global expansion and adoption of the Audoo Audio Meter.
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