Thumbplay
Encyclopedia
Thumbplay is a U.S.-based subscription service
that allows users to download music, video and games to their cell phones. Users can manage, store and share their mobile content online and on their wireless devices. But recent complaints for "third party billing" to cell phone carriers, disguised on Verizon as "Premium Text Messaging," are certain to lead to legal headaches.
Headquartered in New York City
, Thumbplay was founded in September 2004 by Are Traasdahl and Evan Schwartz
. It is backed by Bain Capital Ventures
, SoftBank Capital
, i-Hatch Ventures, Redwood Partners, New Enterprise Associates
, Meritech, Brookside Capital Partners and Cross Creek Capital.
If was acquired by Clear Channel Radio in March 2011 but still has a "classic" site online.
Their download library contains audio, video and game downloads, including "premium content" licensed from most mainstream media and entertainment companies, as well as independent artists.
In August 2010, Thumbplay was named Finalist in Lead411's New York City
Hot 125.
In June 2010, Thumbplay is named among MEFFY 2010 Finalists.
In 2009, Thumbplay receives New York Ten Award as the Best Emerging CEO 2009.
In 2009, Thumbplay is listed among Webby
's “Official Honorees”.
In 2009, Thumbplay receives Stevie Award
for "Customer Service Leader of the Year".
In 2008, Thumbplay is named Best of the Web 2008 Music by BusinessWeek
.
In 2008, the company is named Deloitte's Rising Star 2008.
In 2008, Thumbplay is named to AlwaysOn Global 250 Top Private Companies 2008.
Thumbplay runs its customer care center out of Argentia, Newfoundland and Labrador, through a company called Tacamor Call Centers.
, Sony BMG, Warner Music Group
, and EMI
, plus distributors like RouteNote
and Tunecore
, as well as media and entertainment companies like Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
, Disney Interactive Media Group
, Glu Mobile, Hands-On Mobile, Konami Digital Entertainment, I-play, and Universal Pictures
.
On the distribution side, Thumbplay has marketing partners both online and on the mobile web. These include the Web and mobile portals of AOL
and MSN Mobile
, Web sites for Entertainment Tonight
, A&E Network
, The History Channel
and The Biography Channel
, as well as social music discovery services iLike
and Qloud. It is also partnered with Clear Channel Radio to operate mobile content stores across many of its stations’ websites throughout 2008.
Thumbplay is a member of the Mobile Marketing Association
, and adheres to the MMA's Consumer Best Practices Guidelines.
Subscription business model
The subscription business model is a business model where a customer must pay a subscription price to have access to the product/service. The model was pioneered by magazines and newspapers, but is now used by many businesses and websites....
that allows users to download music, video and games to their cell phones. Users can manage, store and share their mobile content online and on their wireless devices. But recent complaints for "third party billing" to cell phone carriers, disguised on Verizon as "Premium Text Messaging," are certain to lead to legal headaches.
Headquartered in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Thumbplay was founded in September 2004 by Are Traasdahl and Evan Schwartz
Evan Schwartz
Evan I. Schwartz is an American author who writes about innovation and imagination. He has written The Last Lone Inventor: A Tale of Genius, Deceit, and the Birth of Television, the story of inventor Philo Farnsworth and his epic battle with RCA tycoon David Sarnoff.His screenplay, Televisionaries,...
. It is backed by Bain Capital Ventures
Bain Capital Ventures
Bain Capital Ventures is the Boston-based venture capital affiliate of Bain Capital. Bain Capital Ventures' history dates back to 1984, with investments in over 110 early and growth stage companies such as Staples, DoubleClick, Aspect Development, Shopping.com, Taleo Corporation, SolarWinds,...
, SoftBank Capital
Softbank Capital
SoftBank Capital is a venture capital group in the United States, focusing on technology and telecom early stage businesses. The firm is established and led by four partners: Ron Fisher, Eric Hippeau, Steve Murray, and Michael Perlis...
, i-Hatch Ventures, Redwood Partners, New Enterprise Associates
New Enterprise Associates
New Enterprise Associates is a global investment firm focused on venture capital and growth equity investments. With approximately $11 billion in committed capital, NEA is among the largest venture firms. The firm invests in three broad industry sectors: information technology, healthcare, and...
, Meritech, Brookside Capital Partners and Cross Creek Capital.
If was acquired by Clear Channel Radio in March 2011 but still has a "classic" site online.
Services
Thumbplay's subscription service costs $9.99/month for access to 10 credits that can be redeemed for content in its online store. In addition, there is an advertising-supported community where consumers can upload mobile photos and videos and share these among other members.Their download library contains audio, video and game downloads, including "premium content" licensed from most mainstream media and entertainment companies, as well as independent artists.
Awards & Recognitions
In September 2010, Thumbplay is named Finalist in 2010 Music App Awards.In August 2010, Thumbplay was named Finalist in Lead411's New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
Hot 125.
In June 2010, Thumbplay is named among MEFFY 2010 Finalists.
In 2009, Thumbplay receives New York Ten Award as the Best Emerging CEO 2009.
In 2009, Thumbplay is listed among Webby
Webby Awards
A Webby Award is an international award presented annually by The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences for excellence on the Internet with categories in websites, interactive advertising, online film and video, and mobile....
's “Official Honorees”.
In 2009, Thumbplay receives Stevie Award
Stevie Awards
The Stevie Awards were created in 2002 to honor and generate public recognition of the efforts, accomplishments, and positive contributions of companies and business people worldwide...
for "Customer Service Leader of the Year".
In 2008, Thumbplay is named Best of the Web 2008 Music by BusinessWeek
BusinessWeek
Bloomberg Businessweek, commonly and formerly known as BusinessWeek, is a weekly business magazine published by Bloomberg L.P. It is currently headquartered in New York City.- History :...
.
In 2008, the company is named Deloitte's Rising Star 2008.
In 2008, Thumbplay is named to AlwaysOn Global 250 Top Private Companies 2008.
Thumbplay runs its customer care center out of Argentia, Newfoundland and Labrador, through a company called Tacamor Call Centers.
Content & Distribution Partnerships
Thumbplay has signed licensing deals with some of the world’s largest media and entertainment companies during the last two years. This includes deals with all four major record labels: Universal Music GroupUniversal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
, Sony BMG, Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
, and EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
, plus distributors like RouteNote
RouteNote
RouteNote is a digital music distribution service founded in 2008. Designed and built to take advantage of the shift towards independent and self-publication through online and mobile music outlets...
and Tunecore
TuneCore
TuneCore is an online distribution service for music founded in 2005. TuneCore principally offers musicians and other rights-holders the opportunity to place their music into online retailers such as iTunes, AmazonMP3, Zune Marketplace, Rhapsody, eMusic, and others for sale.-History and...
, as well as media and entertainment companies like Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the home video distribution arm of Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation. It was established in November 1979 as Columbia Pictures Home Entertainment, releasing 20 titles: The Anderson Tapes, Bell, Book and Candle, Born Free, Breakout,...
, Disney Interactive Media Group
Disney Interactive Media Group
The Disney Interactive Media Group , formerly known as the Walt Disney Internet Group and Disney Interactive Studios, oversees various websites and interactive media owned by The Walt Disney Company and its subsidiaries....
, Glu Mobile, Hands-On Mobile, Konami Digital Entertainment, I-play, and Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
.
On the distribution side, Thumbplay has marketing partners both online and on the mobile web. These include the Web and mobile portals of AOL
AOL
AOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
and MSN Mobile
MSN Mobile
MSN Mobile includes mobile information and communications services for mobile devices from Microsoft as part of their MSN and Windows Live range of services. Many MSN sites can be directly accessed from mobile devices....
, Web sites for Entertainment Tonight
Entertainment Tonight
Entertainment Tonight is a daily tabloid television entertainment television news show that is syndicated by CBS Television Distribution throughout the United States, Canada and in many countries around the world. Linda Bell Blue is currently the program's executive producer...
, A&E Network
A&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
, The History Channel
The History Channel
History, formerly known as The History Channel, is an American-based international satellite and cable TV channel that broadcasts a variety of reality shows and documentary programs including those of fictional and non-fictional historical content, together with speculation about the future.-...
and The Biography Channel
The Biography Channel
The Biography Channel is an American digital cable television channel owned by A&E and based on the television series of the same name. A version of the channel also airs on ONO and Telefónica in Spain and on Sky Digital and cable television in the United Kingdom, a version of the channel also...
, as well as social music discovery services iLike
ILike
iLike is an online service that allows users to download and share music. The website makes use of a sidebar that is used with Apple's iTunes or Microsoft's Windows Media Player. The program and sidebar are not required in order to use the site but allow for ease in discovering new artists....
and Qloud. It is also partnered with Clear Channel Radio to operate mobile content stores across many of its stations’ websites throughout 2008.
Thumbplay is a member of the Mobile Marketing Association
Mobile marketing association
The Mobile Marketing Association is a global non-profit trade association established to foster growth of mobile marketing. The MMA's stated goals are to clear obstacles to market development, establish mobile media [guidelines and best practices] for sustainable growth, and evangelize the use of...
, and adheres to the MMA's Consumer Best Practices Guidelines.
Acquisition by Clear Channel Radio
Thumbplay's partner Clear Channel Radio acquired it in March 2011.Consumer concerns
Thumbplay has been the target of numerous complaints that it does not immediately honour stop requests but instead continues to bill customers monthly fees after they request a cancellation, even if the customer does not continue to request any ringtones or wallpapers.External links
- Thumbplay website (front page is parked)
- "Classic" front page still online as of early March 2011.