Napster Expands Partner Ecosystem to Power Long-Term Growth

SEATTLE, Nov. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Following its first quarter operating under the streamlined global Napster brand, Napster today announced a number of new mobile carrier, hardware, retail, and airline industry integrations to further expand its global partner ecosystem and bring more music to fans around the world. The company also detailed its involvement in key music industry initiatives to evolve the future of music consumption and promote artist awareness.

"At Napster, we want to make it easier for everyone to get to the music that moves you," Mike Davis, CEO, Napster said. "Our global partnerships not only expand all the ways people can access and listen to music around the world, but also set the foundation for Napster's long-term growth and a sustainable music industry."

Expanded Partner Ecosystem
With a rich history of partnering with brands across the world like Movistar, Vodafone Greece and Vodafone Netherlands, Napster finalized several new integrations to expand its partner ecosystem and deliver the best streaming experience for members wherever they are.

• Napster is integrating with Sprint to bring Napster's Listener Network and library of more than 40 million songs to wireless customers on Sprint's highly reliable network. Sprint customers on iOS or Android will receive one month of Napster free, then can simply add Napster to their Sprint bill for $9.99/month. Sprint prepaid brands Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile have also added Napster to their lineup of data free music streaming providers. Customers using Napster are able to stream unlimited music without using their high speed data included in a plan.
• Innovative headphone maker EVEN selected Napster to create a customized audio experience for music fans. Included in an update available soon for iOS users, Napster subscribers will be able to dynamically adjust their audio experience based on their own hearing to create a personalized "EVEN EarPrint" for use on any headphones.
• In Germany, airline technology company Lufthansa Systems and Napster aim to bring music and audiobooks to passengers; Napster content is currently featured on more than 70 Eurowings aircrafts.
• German retailer ALDI, MEDION and Napster celebrate the first anniversary of their joint service, ALDI life Musik powered by Napster and look back on a successful first year of business. ALDI is partnering for a broad marketing campaign with the up-and-coming Hip Hop artist Fargo.

As a result of Napster's growing partner ecosystem and product innovations like The Listener Network, Napster members are listening to more music than ever before. The average member session per week has increased ten percent over the last six months to an in-app duration daily average of nearly two hours and an industry leading weekly duration of almost five hours (almost a full 25 percent more than the next closest service).

Napster Advocates for Artist Compensation
Napster also announced its participation in the Open Music Initiative (OMI) a cross-industry initiative launched in June 2016 by Berklee College of Music's Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship. As a member, Napster will continue to champion a sustainable music economy that ensures music creators and rights owners are identified and compensated for their work.

"After pioneering the streaming music category, Napster has advocated for building a healthy ecosystem for nearly 15 years," said Panos Panay, co-founder of the Open Music Initiative and founding managing director of Berklee's Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship. "We're excited to leverage Napster's deep understanding of the complexities of the digital music economy to advance technology, advocacy, and education."

Supporting Our Musicians and Labels
Additionally, to further promote music artists and labels, Napster recently partnered with several top music labels as part of its new Label Initiative on the Napster platform. With the initiative, music labels including Warner Nashville, Naxos, Sub Pop and more, have the opportunity to create their own user profiles and playlists within the Napster app and publish them for member listening.

"We are excited to be among the first labels working with Napster on this new initiative," Jeff Van Driel, CEO of Naxos of America said. "It is great to have the opportunity to bring classical music to new audiences around the world through the new Naxos and unCLASSIFIED profiles and curated playlists on Napster."

Labels can also share as a branded asset to host on their websites, social and other channels, raising brand relevance and affinity. Currently, more than 40 label profiles and 250+ label-generated playlists are available exclusively on Napster with additional content planned in the coming months.

About Napster
Napster is one of the world's leading premium subscription streaming music services. Available in 34 countries, Napster gives members unlimited ad-free access to the music they love anywhere, anytime and on any device - online or off. Whether on their phone, at home, at work, or in the car, Napster subscribers can download playlists and tracks from a catalog of 40 million songs, and tap into the power of a global Listener Network, to connect with like-minded music fans and discover new music every day. Owned and operated by U.S.-based Rhapsody International Inc., Napster combines the iconic history of one of the most recognizable music brands in the world with the vast experience and technological platform of Rhapsody International Inc. Napster is headquartered in Seattle, with offices across the U.S. and Europe, and its respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Rhapsody International Inc. Learn more at www.napster.com.

SOURCE Napster

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