Spinlet

Spinlet Ltd

Headquarters	Lagos, Nigeria; Cape Town, South Africa; and Finland
CEO	Nkiru Balonwu
Industry	Music, Media, Entertainment
Services	Music Streaming and Download, YouTube Partner Services
Slogan(s)	Think Music
Website	spinlet.com

Spinlet is a digital media company, focusing on Afro-Centric content. Spinlet’s primary service is music streaming and downloads available globally via browser at spinlet.com, and the Spinlet app on iOS and Android. Spinlet's technology allows the consumer to purchase, listen, share and discover new music while offering integration and storage of the user's music library on their mobile device. As at October 2015, the Spinlet app had been downloaded nearly 2 million times.^[1][2]

Spinlet has been appointed by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) as Nigeria’s first ever manager for ISRCs – the International Standard Recording Code, an essential digital monitoring and revenue tracking tool.^[3][4]

Spinlet also recently re-launched its website in August 2015, adding a variety of new features.

History

Spinlet was originally a music streaming mobile app developed in 2006 by two Finnish brothers, Sami Leino and Ville Leino. In 2011, the app was acquired by a group of Nigerian investors represented by Verod Capital Management ^[5] led by Eric Idiahi, who became the first CEO of Spinlet. Idiahi was succeeded by Neil Schwartzman ^[6] who was in office from January 2013 to February 2014. The company's current Chief Executive is Nkiru Balonwu ^[7] who was previously General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer.

Launch

Spinlet launched in beta in Nigeria May 2011. It was formally launched as an official product in 2013 and since has been increasing its availability across the world.

In August 2015, the site was re-launched with a variety of new features with the aim of providing a richer user experience. The redesign was done keeping in mind that Africa has shown itself to be a mobile-first territory, and as such, the new website is fully optimised for mobile and delivers a near-app experience. Spinlet also plans to launch an inspirational platform soon.

Spinlet So Far

• Spinlet has acquired an Nigerian Communications Commission license that will allow it to sell content as callback tones in collaboration with Telcos.
• Spinlet was recently appointed by the IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) as Nigeria’s first ever manager for ISRCs - the International Standard Recording Code, an essential digital monitoring and revenue tracking tool.
• Spinlet is also developing an application program interface (API) for businesses to enable them integrate the Spinlet service with their own online service delivery platforms.

Global reach

One of Spinlet’s core strengths is its ability to leverage relationships with local artists to acquire, market, promote and monetize their digital content globally (120+ countries). This unique strategy has enabled Spinlet to expand its catalogue of local content effectively and efficiently in Anglophone African countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. This has been extended to Francophone and Lusophone African countries. Revenue generated from Spinlet sales is shared between the rights owner (independent artist or record label) and Spinlet.

To create its expansive music library, Spinlet partners with major and indie labels and allows independent artists to upload their music anytime for free, putting Spinlet on the cutting edge of the international music scene.

Spinlet helps artists capture revenue streams often lost to pirate markets, and affords affiliated musicians valuable assets such as real time sales info with regular payouts, social networking metrics, publicity and promotional opportunities.

Availability

The product is available globally wherever there is fixed or mobile internet connection.

Catalogue

Spinlet offers music lovers access to an expansive music library of thousands of local and international songs on any mobile platform. Spinlet is at the forefront of promoting original, up-and-coming artists, and allowing the musicians to interact with their growing fan base. As the artists grow their profiles, Spinlet receives increased exposure.

Platform: App, Website function

The Spinlet application is available for free download on Apple (iOS) and Android phones. The service is also available via Web ^[8] fully optimised for mobile. This means that any phone with a browser can deliver a user experience that is very comparable to the apps’. The site homepage can also be customized based on geo-location.

Spinlet gives users complete connectivity through all social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ accounts.

Technical Information

Spinlet’s software is proprietary software and provides audio content in the audio files formats where the audio is in 44.1 kHz sample rate, 16-bit per sample, stereo recording are:

• AIFF PCM or WAV PCM
• Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC)

Business model

Spinlet operates under the freemium, model basic services are free, while additional features are offered via paid subscriptions). It makes its revenues by selling streaming subscriptions to premium users and advertising placements to third parties.

Subscriptions

The subscription plans are flexible and service options include either a monthly/weekly subscription service or one-off downloads, which can be managed online or on a mobile device. Payments options are available which include payments via bank cards and vouchers for easy customer transactions. Spinlet encourages people to pay for music with subscriptions; this is the main form of revenue.

The Spinlet service includes a free ad-supported streaming only option.

Downloads

There are no restrictions on songs downloaded on Spinlet it can be shared to any platform. Spinlet offers complete personal library integration, media content management for online and offline downloads, playlist creation and sharing, and mobile music playback with real-time social network updates. Content on the Spinlet platform has been streamed and downloaded a total of 15 millions times.

Original Content

Alongside being a curator of audio content, Spinlet has recently begun generating original video content (I Go Blow, Lyrically Speaking and The Spin Deck Show), which they currently host on their YouTube channel^[9][10]

Events

Afropolitan Vibes: Spinlet is also a proud partner of the largest live music event in Lagos - Afropolitan Vibes - which Spinlet has supported since its inception ^[11]

Spinlet Karaoke: Spinlet also hosts a karaoke night on the last Wednesday of every month, and each one features a guest artist that fans can interact with.

References