Qtrax, Inc. today announced that it would begin its global roll out of its free and legal (ad supported) music download service in the Asia Pacific region on Thursday October 28th, 2009.
Initially Qtrax will operate in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand.
Before the end of the year it will launch in the US & Canada and the UK. Within the first half of next year it will roll out to the rest of the world.
“Asia and of course in particular China is a very compelling place for a global internet & music company to initiate its rollout. There are a myriad of stats that could be quoted but here are a few key ones: China had 298 million Internet users in 2008 and the number is growing at an annual rate of 41.9%. In Asia, Internet users grew by 474.9% between 2000 and 2008, as opposed to 280.7% for the rest of the world. More than any other online activity, China clobbers the US & the rest of the world in terms of music downloading- 83.7% download music in China Vs less than 40% in the US,” said Allan Klepfisz, President & CEO.
“Entering the Asia-Pacific region with marketing relationships that not only deliver audience but advertisers & consequently revenue, holds a lot of promise as far as we’re concerned,” added Klepfisz. “And these are areas where music has not be adequately monetized. Illegal sites have dominated but even the local incarnations of legal sites have not produced adequate results. Principally, this has been because of a half-hearted effort to do the work on the ground to ensure revenue,” continued Klepfisz.
“In my decades of dealing with the advertising industry, I have never been confronted with an unfolding opportunity of these dimensions,” observed Lance Ford, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer & co-President Rebel Digital.
“Blue chip global brands, with whom I have done business throughout my career, will, I believe embrace the opportunity of reaching the 13-35 demographic via Qtrax,” commented Robin Kent, Chief Strategy Officer & co-President Rebel Digital.
“After years of intense licensing efforts, resulting in a completely unique set of licenses, it is truly exciting to have our global roll out begin imminently,” added Rick Riccobono, EVP Global Rights Licensing.
“We have developed some substantial funding & strategic support in Asia- Pacific & I am very pleased to see Qtrax come to fruition in the region,” commented Chai Ong, Executive Director.
Qtrax, Inc.
Qtrax is the world’s first free and legal global download music service and showcases an innovative ad-supported downloading model that easily directs revenue back to artists and rights holders. Qtrax has successfully signed licensing deals with major labels, music publishers and leading indies. Qtrax will soon provide fans with access to a colorful and diverse catalog with millions of high-quality, high-fidelity digital music files. Based in New York City, Qtrax’s is a subsidiary of Brilliant Technologies Corporation (OTC: BLLN.PK), a publicly traded technology holding company.
