Cisco and Warner Music in social entertainment deal

13 Aug 2009

Internet systems giant Cisco has struck a key deal to power the artist websites of major label Warner Music using software-as-a-service cloud computing architecture.

The move will allow Warner to deploy an unlimited number of sites for their portfolio artists and labels and drive its direct-to-consumer initiatives.

“Today’s dynamic music industry environment requires us to radically transform the role we play in the music ecosystem and, at WMG, one of the most important ways we have been doing that is by developing powerful new approaches to enriching relationships between artists and fans,” said Edgar Bronfman, Jr., chairman and CEO of Warner Music.

“Cisco has developed an excellent platform that we believe could become a key component of our digital consumer strategy,” Bronfman added.

Cisco Eos is a hosted white-label “software as a service” platform that enables media and entertainment companies to create, manage and monetise social entertainment experiences built around their branded content.

Warner has deployed Eos for four new sites: Grammy-nominated rock band Paramore; R&B singer Trey Songz; rock band Halestorm; and a redesigned Eos site for reggae singer Sean Paul.

Warner also announced that it intends to use the Eos platform to create approximately a dozen additional sites by the end of the year, including a brand new site for singer/songwriter and American Idol alum, Jason Castro, as well as for R&B songstress Estelle, and hip-hop phenomenon Lupe Fiasco.

“Cisco is committed to helping the media and entertainment industry produce its next big hit − new, personalised and interactive experiences that add value in the relationship between fans and the entertainment content they love,” said Cisco CEO John Chambers.

“The entertainment industry is in a market transition, and the network is the platform upon which this industry can redefine itself,” Chambers added.

By John Kennedy

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com