IODA Announces New Partnership with InstantEncore.com, Philadelphia Orchestra Deal
IODA, a global leader in digital distribution, marketing, and technology solutions for the independent music industry, announced new content and marketing partnerships for its classical music catalog, which represents 4.5% of the United States classical digital market. The Philadelphia Orchestra joins IODA’s roster of leading classical labels that make IODA the largest independent distributor of classical music in the world. In addition, a new partnership with InstantEncore.com gives IODA labels access to valuable tools including a digital asset management system to easily customize and publish music, video, event listings, and buzz to websites, iPhone applications, Facebook, Twitter, and fan email alerts.
The Philadelphia Orchestra joins IODA’s catalog, which includes Avie, Harmonia Mundi, Hyperion Records, London Symphony Orchestra, Mariinsky, New York Philharmonic, Nimbus, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, The Sixteen Productions Ltd., Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and Winter & Winter. Since 2003, IODA has cultivated a growing roster of high quality recordings from some of the most talented classical recording artists in the world.
“While digital has been the best way for non-aficionados to discover classical music for a number of years, we’ve also seen a significant warming among dedicated classical fans to digital over the past 18 months and expect that trend to continue,” said Chaz Jenkins, head of the London Symphony Orchestra’s LSO Live label. “It’s great to work with people who share our passion for reaching listeners who are new to classical music whilst also understanding how to cater to the demands of more expert audiences. IODA does both.”
IODA’s new partnership with InstantEncore.com, a leading innovator in the classical world, enables its labels to access a wide variety of time- and cost-efficient widgets, mobile applications, and marketing tools to connect presenters and artists with classical music fans worldwide.
“In this rapidly changing digital world, we are thrilled to be partnering with IODA – a company that shows such innovative leadership in the classical genre,” said Margo Drakos, chief operating officer at InstantEncore.com, “We look forward to providing their incredible classical artists with the web and mobile fan-building tools for the 21st Century.”
IODA also publishes a monthly podcast dedicated to the classical music genre called Maestro Classical, which can be accessed at www.maestroclassical.com. The Maestro Classical Web site includes links to digital retailers such as iTunes where fans can buy the music, as well as more information about the music featured in the podcast.
In collaboration with IODA, the New York Philharmonic launched the first-ever classical music iTunes Pass in December 2009 with live concert recordings from the 2009-10 season with Music Director Alan Gilbert. iTunes Pass buyers can now receive digital liner notes for each release, and bonus content such as Alan Gilbert’s commentary from the stage, as well as lectures and talks by scholars and performers.
“Classical music is one of the top selling genres within the IODA catalog, a fact we attribute to the quality of our labels and the dedication of their audience. We are fortunate enough to work with some of the finest labels and orchestras in classical music and applaud the way they’ve worked with us to embrace the digital marketplace and take advantage of new opportunities,” said Erik Gilbert, VP of Content, IODA. “We are dedicated to continuing to help the rich genre of classical music, from timeless recordings to cross genre and avant-garde releases, become even more accessible to an increasing listenership around the world. The combination of a stellar catalog and innovative marketing partners enables us to do that.”