Universal Music Group‘s MCA Music, Inc. has renewed its partnership with Smart Communications (Smart) to provide music for The Philippines’ digital music service, SPINNR.
The two parties first signing a partnership two years ago for the platform, which also offers streaming and downloadable music.
“Music is a big part of our ’Smart Life’ entertainment proposition, and we’re glad that MCA Music is continuing to partner with us to bring the best mobile music experience to millions of users nationwide through SPINNR,” said Ariel Fermin, EVP and Head of Consumer Business at Smart.
“As a pioneer in the digital music industry in the Philippines, SPINNR has helped change the behavior of music fans nationwide by giving them affordable and legitimate access to all the music that they love.”
“The MCA Music – Smart partnership is a big boost to the music industry, particularly in making music downloads more affordable and accessible to everyone thru SPINNR,” added Ricky Ilacad, CEO at MCA Music.
“We feel that music fans are the biggest winners in this partnership because of the ‘money-can’t-buy experiences’ that MCA Music and Smart have been giving them – VIP Concert tickets and Meet & Greet sessions with the biggest artists.”
“The MCA – smart partnership is a big boost to the music industry.”
Ricky ilacad, MCA Music
SPINNR was the first music streaming service to debut in the Philippines.
It allows users to pay for their song purchases or streaming subscriptions using prepaid cards or charge it on top their postpaid accounts – meaning they need not be credit card holders in order to gain access to the service.
“SPINNR is a big instrument in promoting legitimate music downloads as basically anyone can download their favorite music without the use of credit cards or any complicated payment schemes,” Ilacad added.
Since 2013, the partnership between Smart and MCA Music through SPINNR has brought the biggest names in international music to the Philippines, including the likes of Rihanna, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Madonna, Sam Smith, and Maroon 5, among many others.
SPINNR has also been instrumental in bringing fan-favorites such as 5 Seconds of Summer, 1975, The Vamps, Us The Duo, and Imagine Dragons closer to their multitude of Filipino fans.
“SPINNR has always been about the total music experience—not just being able to listen to music on your phones. With the renewal of our partnership with MCA Music, Filipino fans can expect more and even more unique experiences from their favorite artists with the help of SPINNR,” added Mellissa Limcaoco, Innovation and Product Development Group Head at Smart.
The SPINNR app won at the GSMA’s 20th Global Mobile Awards.
SPINNR is available as a free downloadable app on Android phones and iPhones, and can be accessed by tablet and via desktop.
[L-R: Ricky Ilacad (CEO, MCA Music [Universal Music Philippines]); Sandy Monteiro (President, Universal Music Southeast Asia); Ariel Fermin (Executive Vice President, Smart Communications); Mellissa Limcaoco (Head of Innovation and Product Development)]Music Business Worldwide
