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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.

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.[1]

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.[2]

Their download library is comprised of audio, video and game downloads, including "premium content" licensed from most mainstream media and entertainment companies, as well as independent artists.[3]

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 Group[4], Sony BMG[5], Warner Music Group[6], and EMI[7], as well as media and entertainment companies like Sony Pictures Home Entertainment[8], Disney Interactive Media Group[9], Electronic Arts (EA), Glu Mobile, Hands-On Mobile[10], Konami Digital Entertainment, I-play, and Universal Pictures.[11]

On the distribution side, Thumbplay has marketing partners both online and on the mobile web. These include the Web and mobile portals of AOL[12] and MSN Mobile[13], Web sites for Entertainment Tonight, A&E Network, The History Channel and The Biography Channel[14], as well as social music discovery services iLike[15] and Qloud.[16] It is also partnered with Clear Channel Radio to operate mobile content stores across many of its stations’ websites throughout 2008.[17]

Thumbplay is a member of the Mobile Marketing Association, and adheres to the MMA's Consumer Best Practices Guidelines.[18]

Awards

Thumbplay has won the following awards:

  • 2006 New York Ten Awards: Best New Product or Service[19]
  • 2007 New York Ten Awards: Best Emerging CEO[20]
  • 2007 Momentum 15 Company at the 2007 Momentum Growth Conference (recognizing rapid growth companies)[23]
  • 2008 OnMedia 100 (a list of the top digital media, marketing, and advertising companies, based on a set of five criteria: innovation, market potential, commercialization, stakeholder value, and media buzz)[24]
  • 2008 OnMedia Northeast Top 100 Companies List (a list of the top 100 emerging companies from the Northeastern United States that are creating new business opportunities in high-growth markets)[25]
  • Silicon Alley 25: The World’s Most Valuable Digital Startups[26]
  • 2008 Meffys Award for "Off Deck Services" (for offering mobile consumers added value for money and easy access to a wide choice of mobile entertainment)[27]
  • 2008 OnHollywood Top 100 (a list of the top 100 private digital entertainment and media companies)[28]

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.[29]

Articles

References

  1. ^ "Tech Confidential, Thumbplay grasps growing chunk of mobile entertainment content sector, March 17, 2008".
  2. ^ Converging Media, Mobile content firm sees long-term future in long-form video, April 11, 2008
  3. ^ Converging Media, Mobile content firm sees long-term future in long-form video, April 11, 2008
  4. ^ "Gadgetell, 4/25/06, Universal music artists on your phone".
  5. ^ "LA-Story, 2/21/08, Tech Talk: Thumbplays & Sony Team Up for Killer Song Collections!".
  6. ^ "mocoNews.net, 7/10/08, Thumbplay Partners With Warner Music To Mark Its Fourth Music Label Deal".
  7. ^ "RCR Wireless News, 1/31/07, Thumbplay inks EMI deal".
  8. ^ "DigitalMediaWire, 10/11/06, Mobile Downloads Store Thumbplay to Sell Sony Pictures Content".
  9. ^ "DigitalMediaWire, 9/15/06, Mobile Content Retailer Thumbplay to Sell Disney Content".
  10. ^ "DigitalMediaWire, 6/22/06, Thumbplay to Distribute Mobile Game Titles from Hands-On Mobile".
  11. ^ "The Online Reporter, 11/9/07, Thumbplay Partners with Universal Pictures, I-play".
  12. ^ "Reuters, 11/22/07, Thumbplay to provide mobile content to AOL".
  13. ^ "Mobile Marketer, 12/11/07, Microsoft inks Thumbplay content deal for MSN Mobile".
  14. ^ "FierceMobileContent, 2/5/08, Thumbplay debuts DIY mobile content sales toolkit".
  15. ^ "Mashable, 12/13/07, Ringtones on iLike, Powered by Thumbplay".
  16. ^ "FierceMobileContent, 12/20/07, Thumbplay and Qloud team for ringtone service".
  17. ^ "Billboard, 3/24/08, Clear Channel To Add Thumbplay Store To Web Sites".
  18. ^ "Current Mobile Marketing Association Members". Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  19. ^ "Executive Council of New York" (PDF).
  20. ^ "Executive Council of New York".
  21. ^ "Webby Awards Nominees & Winners".
  22. ^ "Webby Awards Nominees & Winners".
  23. ^ "Dealmaker Media".
  24. ^ "AlwaysOn".
  25. ^ "AlwaysOn".
  26. ^ "Silicon Alley Insider".
  27. ^ "Mobile Entertainment Forum".
  28. ^ "AlwaysOn".
  29. ^ "Thumbplay Inc.: Cell Phone Bill Complaints". Retrieved 2008-04-25.
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