PlayNetwork

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PlayNetwork, Inc. is a provider of in-store entertainment for retail, restaurant, and hospitality environments.

In 1996, PlayNetwork was founded in Seattle and quickly introduced custom music programming. PlayNetwork is backed by private investors Chartwell Capital, Edgewater Private Equity Fund, Talon Opportunity Fund, Velocity Capital, and WHP Partners.

PlayNetwork Timeline

• 1996 - PlayNetwork founded in Seattle, WA as a digital music provider for businesses [1].
• 1998 – PlayNetwork releases its first generation of digital music players. PlayNetwork begins partnership with Starbucks to provide digital music systems and service in over 1,800 retail locations in North America [2].
• 1999 – PlayNetwork begins providing music services for Cosi locations. PlayNetwork moves its headquarters to Redmond, WA.
• 2000 – dELIA*S, TGI Friday’s and The Finish Line sign commercial audio partnerships with PlayNetworks.
• 2001 – PlayNetwork raises $5 million of private financing. Second generation of digital music players released and self-serve subscription service launches on PlayNetworkonline.com.
• 2002 – PlayNetwork raises $4.4 million in venture capital [3]. Puget Sound Business Journal names PlayNetwork 9th Fastest Growing Private Company in Washington State.
• 2003 – PlayNetwork named to Inc. 500 and Deloitte Technology Fast 500 lists. 300 Series music players launched. Eddie Bauer, Brinker International, Chico’s FAS, Johnny Carino’s and Hooters sign on as clients [4].
• 2004 – PlayNetwork named to Inc. 500 and Deloitte Technology Fast 500 lists. 400 Series music players launched. Starbucks and TGI Friday’s renew partnership agreements.
• 2005 – Audio-video systems integration provider Crows Nest Entertainment merges with PlayNetwork. Hollister, Jockey, CompUSA, Petco, Harley Davidson, HMS Host, and McCormick & Schmicks enter partnerships with PlayNetwork. Deloitte names PlayNetwork to Washington State Technology Fast 50 [5].
• 2006 – PlayNetwork adds video media to service offering.
• 2007 – PlayNetwork and XM Radio partner to provide "XM for Business" service [6].

XM for Business

PlayNetwork manages XM for Business in partnership with XM Satellite Radio [7].

Under this arrangement, PlayNetwork manages commercial business sales and service for XM Satellite Radio. PlayNetwork will also pay all commercial licensing and royalty obligations to the artists, songwriters, publishers and recording labels. The channels available via SIRIUS Music for Business are identical to the channels available to consumer subscribers but are licensed for business audio use. [8]

See also

• Ambient music
• Elevator music
• Sound masking
• Digital Signage
• Podcasting

Competitors

• Prescriptive Music link title
• Applied Media Technologies Corporation / SIRIUS Satellite Radio
• In-Store Broadcasting Network
• Muzak Holdings LLC / DMX
• Trusonic

External links

• Playnetwork Corporate Profile
• PlayNetwork Corporate Milestones

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