SellaBand (www.sellaband.com), the leading platform for fan funded music, today announces its expansion into the US market. The move reflects SellaBand’s rapid growth and success in Europe, since its inception in 2006, and is the next phase in its long term global business development strategy. The Netherlands-based company has contracted BTN Eastlink, a multi-platform entertainment and digital media company, to run its North American operation, to be based in New York City, as well as appointing BTN Eastlink Principal, music icon and Public Enemy co-founder and frontman Chuck D as Ambassador for the company.
“SellaBand’s business model takes music to a whole new level by linking fans directly to musicians and leveraging those relationships for the creation of new music,” said Chuck D. “It's an 'everyone wins' solution and is the new, new frontier and will completely redefine the way the music business operates.” In his role as Ambassador, Chuck D will serve as an advisor to SellaBand in their continued development of their revolutionary business model and will help position the SellaBand brand in the North American marketplace.
BTN Eastlink will serve as the first point of contact for all SellaBand business in North America, handling day to day support for the stateside operations, serving as the exclusive agent in developing strategic partnerships and sponsorship opportunities, consulting on SellaBand’s partnership in the upcoming ArenaFest summer tour as well as other tours and festivals, and coordinating strategic marketing and promotion for SellaBand.
Dan Lugo, Principal, BTN Eastlink, said: “BTN Eastlink is extremely excited to partner with SellaBand, and is uniquely equipped to launch the company and concept in North America. Once again, Chuck D is at the forefront of a new digital music movement, and BTN Eastlink’s multi-platform structure can fulfil every service that SellaBand needs. We've been the first over the fence at every paradigm shift in the music business over the past 15 years – from MP3s to online digital distribution to peer-to-peer. Now with SellaBand, we could not be more excited about the opportunity to work with Johan Vosmeijer and the entire SellaBand team to promote the next music industry breakthrough. SellaBand has started a revolution and we're honoured to help lead it.”
“SellaBand is at an exciting crossroads in its growth,” said Johan Vosmeijer, CEO SellaBand. “By working with BTN Eastlink and Chuck D we believe their insight will help take SellaBand to the ‘next level’ and prove invaluable. An integral part of expanding into the US market is building a world class team and together, this is what we are doing.”
SellaBand offers a revolutionary way for fans, referred to as “Believers,” to directly fund the recording of a professional album by investing in their favourite artists via the SellaBand website, which is also a social network for music fans. SellaBand’s corporate partners include AOL Europe, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.de, and is the exclusive independent music partner for ArenaFest. Two SellaBand artists will perform at each of ArenaWorks’ ArenaFest concerts this summer, including venues such as American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, and the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
