IRIS Distribution
IRIS Distribution is a digital music distribution company based in San Francisco, CA. Co-founded by Mark Laszuk and Bryn Boughton in 2003, IRIS works with independent labels.
IRIS stands for Independent Recording Industry Services[1].
IRIS focuses on providing legal, technical, and marketing assistance for independent labels, distributing digitalized music, ringtones, and video to various music retailers, and promoting label catalogs through various outlets, including social networking sites, newsletters, and label profiles. The company offers its services to a wide range of independent artists and labels such as Chemikal Underground, Jake Records[2], and Ninja Tune.
History
In 2003, IRIS Distribution emerged as a company that would support independent labels who wanted digital services. In 2004, Grooves named IRIS as a new company offering to "facilitate negotiations between the retail services and the independent labels."[3] IRIS Distribution's first digital distribution deal was with Force Inc. and Megaforce Records. Among these primary deals was Burnside Records, also signed by IRIS in 2003[4].
Later, IRIS incorporated ringtones into its distribution model. Quoted in Gentleman's Quarterly, Matt Laszuk says, "Initially, the labels were skeptical [...] but they're already seeing revenues."[5]
In 2007, IRIS Distribution expanded its company’s outreach in the digital distribution sphere with a branch called BlinkerActive. This department of the company concentrates on brand building for clients. BlinkerActive puts an emphasis on promoting the companies and artists themselves, and have worked with Toyota Scion in supporting artists in the online marketplace, amongst others.
Most recently, IRIS Distribution placed twice in The National Association of Record Industry Professionals' poll, Best In The Biz (2009)[6]. (IRIS Distribution placed second in the 'Best Digital Distribution Company' category, and Bryn Boughton tied for first as 'Top New Media Representative.')
References
- ^ Morris, Chris. "Burnside Dials Up Online Solution For Its Labels." Billboard Magazine. December, 2003
- ^ Burger, Ryan. "Jake Records Joins IRIS Distribution's Elite Roster of Top Independent Labels." Mobile Beat Magazine. August 21, 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-17.
- ^ Geary, Rob. "Download This: Your blips, cuts, and clicks are now available online--for a price." Grooves. April, 2004.
- ^ Morris, Chris. "Burnside Dials Up Online Solution For Its Labels." Billboard Magazine. December, 2003.
- ^ Rapkin, Mickey. "Whose Nokia Is Playing Yo La Tengo?" Gentleman's Quarterly. November, 2005.
- ^ NARIP's 2009 Best In The Biz Winners. Retrieved 2009-08-17.