MADISON, Wis., May 24 /PRNewswire/ — Musicnotes, Inc. announced today it has engaged the newly formed online advertising firm Rebel Digital to manage ad sales for the world’s first free and licensed guitar, bass and drum tablature web site, MXTabs.net.
Rebel Digital will present MXTabs.net as a premiere destination for advertisers looking to connect with a fervently dedicated audience of musicians online. These advertising dollars will generate a new revenue stream for publishers and songwriters licensing their music for display on MXTabs.
In addition to managing network based ads, similar to those offered by advertising networks recently purchased by Google (Doubleclick) and Microsoft (aQuantive), Rebel Digital will develop custom programs for advertisers seeking to build brand relationships with musicians on the MXTabs web site.
Rebel Digital was recently created by Robin Kent, former Chairman and CEO of Universal McCann, and Lance Ford, former Executive Vice President of Dennis Publishing (Maxim Magazine) and Conde Nast Publications.
“What’s particularly exciting about this music site is the users’ engagement with the most iconic instrument in rock and roll,” said Lance Ford. “The ability to play a guitar riff is at the very heart of American music and the American dream.”
“This is a great opportunity for advertisers to participate in something which is so important and personal to the music fan,” added Robin Kent.
Through agreements with music publishers, participating songwriters and copyright holders will share in advertising revenue generated through views of tablature on the web site MXTabs.net, while still retaining control over their song catalog in a robust online community.
MXTabs.net is expected to launch its new web site in summer 2007. For information on how to participate, publishers, administrators and advertisers are encouraged to visit http://www.mxtabs.net/.
About Robin Kent: Co-Founder; Former CEO SpiralFrog; Former Chairman & CEO Universal McCann. Robin has managed over $16 billion in media planning and placement across 124 countries for many of the world’s biggest companies; Coca-Cola, General Motors, Microsoft, Sony, Nestle, L’Oreal, Intel, MasterCard, Motorola, Adidas etc. Robin was voted Ad Man of the year by Advertising Week and Advertising Age in 2002.
About Lance Ford: Co-Founder; Former CMO SpiralFrog; EVP Dennis Publishing (Maxim Magazine) & Conde Nast Publications. Lance was responsible for launching Maxim Magazine in the US, which became the largest men’s lifestyle magazine in the world generating over $400 million in advertising revenue in its first 5 years. Lance also launched the number two men’s magazine, Stuff, as well as Blender, the music magazine which is second only to Rolling Stone and all of their companion web sites. Under lance’s leadership Maxim was voted Magazine of the Year by Advertising Age in 2000 and No.1 on the AdWeek Hot List in 2003.
About MXTabs.net: MXTabs.net is the first legitimately licensed web site designed to provide musicians with access to free guitar, bass and drum tablature, while also compensating music publishers and songwriters. Originally launched in 1999, MXTabs was one of the first, largest and most popular destinations for freely available online tabs. In 2006 the site voluntarily closed its doors due to issues of copyright, and the assets have since been acquired by Musicnotes, Inc.
