Radio has become just one part of an ever-growing mix of multi-platform options competing for attention and revenue. MyMelo is offering an e-commerce solution that makes connections between listeners, artists, labels, local businesses, advertisers, and radio stations. “Radio provides the format distinction and audience engagement, but it has been doing the sales pitch for all things entertainment for over a century and doesn’t get to participate in the retail benefits of that sales effort, so we built something that would let them do that too,” said Chris Cox, President, Co-founder & CTO of the Burlingame, CA, company.
Designed to seamlessly integrate into a station’s online, digital footprint, users will be able to navigate between multiple digital resources, including music streaming, music sales, local independent artist uploads, and ticket sales. “Adding the retail aspects for music and events allows for the stations to participate in commerce with their audience directly in a way no one in broadcasting has done yet,” said Cox. “We want to bring the human and local factors more forward in the digital side than anyone has even tried to so far.”
The value-added allure for stations using MyMelo is not lost on Cox. “We want to bring them revenue, content, and engagement they can’t otherwise get without significant time and capital investment. Broadcasters should spend their digital budget doing things that truly differentiate them in the marketplace, instead of trying to rebuild commodity elements — that’s why we are here.” He added, “We want to help radio maintain the top spot for music discovery and local engagement. If you take care of them, they will take care of you.”
