Winamp releases advanced version of Creator platform to empower artists to build and manage revenue beyond streaming

29 November 2024 - Press release

Featuring distribution, copyright, licensing, collectibles, fan engagement, collaboration and marketing - no other platform covers everything an artist needs

Winamp, the innovative music platform, is today releasing an advanced version of Winamp for Creators, making it the first all-in-one suite of tools for artists, covering everything from distribution, copyright and licensing, to collectibles, fan engagement, collaboration and marketing.

Winamp is focusing its attention on empowering independent artists and labels, at a time when streaming is not serving the majority of artists who are unable to make a living out of it. The need to diversify revenue streams beyond streaming has never been greater.  

Winamp for Creators now aggregates gold-standard music management tools into an all-in-one platform, empowering music creators to manage their music and revenue in a single place - for the very first time. 

 

Winamp for Creators allows artists to become businesses 
Winamp for Creators represents a new model for the music industry, where artists can in effect become their own merchant, providing the opportunity for direct fan engagement through personalised artist-to-fan relationships, and also manage their copyrights, license their music, sell digital collectibles and even hire collaborators.

This evolution reflects a broader change in the way that artistic creation is valued, with artists at the center of the system, not on its periphery. With Winamp for Creators, artists can reclaim control over the relationship with their audience, allowing fans to gain access to exclusive content or personalised memorabilia.

 

The suite of tools
The suite of tools includes distribution, the capability for independent artists to be on all major streaming platforms entirely for free; copyright, helping artists to receive and manage author and composer royalties; and licensing, allowing artists to sell their tracks for use in ads, YouTube videos, and more.

Winamp for Creators also provides YouTube Content ID to copyright owners, to easily identify and manage their copyright-protected content on YouTube. Winamp then collects the revenue generated and distributes it to the copyright owners/creators.

There is a collectibles service, allowing artists to create NFTs of tracks with a unique value and perpetual revenue source; and a Fanzone, allowing artists to create their own social feeds, with content that can be locked for premium subscribers.

Coming soon in Q1 2025, there are marketing tools, providing artists with the ability to create direct revenue streams while enhancing revenue management, managing websites, creating ad campaigns, and handling social networks.

Lack of resources is often what blocks the artist’s journey but now they - or their managers - can build a team of collaborators and remunerate them with Winamp for Creators. It provides the opportunity for artists to have the flexibility to create teams that can be scaled up or scaled down to support them, including managers, marketing and social media experts. Winamp for Creators even has a job board to allow people to post a job or apply for one.

 

Alexandre Saboundjian, CEO, Winamp, said:
“Streaming has run out of steam and the music industry needs a new model. Winamp can be part of the solution. At the current level of streaming revenues, it should only account for 30% to 40% of a musician’s total income, while artists create other monetisation avenues. The challenge for independent artists and small labels is to identify new revenue sources and establish a more direct connection with fans. 

“Winamp for Creators makes the business of being an artist seamless, providing an all-in-one suite of tools that give artists full control of their music and revenue. It is the swiss army knife of music management tools, one that every artist needs in their back pocket.”