DisruptiveApps, the developer of the iJukebox interactive music platform for the hospitality and retail industries, announced today that it has signed two new distribution partnerships and has also closed on an additional round of capital funding. The distribution partnerships are with Ziosk, based in Dallas, Texas and PlayNetwork based in Redmond, Washington. Each of these strategic distribution arrangements will provide DisruptiveApps with access to a broader roster of premier national brands and retail venues and will facilitate the rapid deployment of the iJukebox service across the U.S. The new funding round, which was led by Panacea Capital Advisors of Bethesda, Maryland and in which most existing investors participated, will give DisruptiveApps additional capital to invest in the expansion of the features and functionality of the iJukebox platform to include data and marketing services.
With the iJukebox API, any third party technology provider can create its own innovative and profitable commercial music service while complying with music performance and licensing requirements. DisruptiveApps created its API because many technology companies are endeavoring to innovate the music experience in the restaurant and retail industry, but none of them provide such services to a mobile device or tablet in a compliant manner. iJukebox is the only fully licensed API platform for third parties to build their own interactive streaming music service.
Founder and CEO of DisruptiveApps
Ziosk, the industry leader in tabletop technology for casual dining, has partnered with DisruptiveApps to bring the streaming music service to their restaurant customers using its proprietary Ziosk tablet technology and media network. “We are excited to partner with Ziosk because of the opportunity they bring to the table for iJukebox expansion into well-known restaurant chains”, said Chip Selley, Founder and CEO of DisruptiveApps. The mutually beneficial partnership has brought their unique interactive music service into the casual dining space. Privately labeled as zJukeboxSM, Ziosk began rolling the new service out in October of last year and allows its customers to make music requests directly from the Ziosk tablet and add the request fee directly to their check for a seamless transaction. The request catalog is extensive too, with over 7,000 family-friendly music tracks available to choose from. “The zJukeboxSM service is very popular and we are excited to offer this music experience to our restaurant partners and their guests,” said Ziosk CEO Austen Mulinder. “Choosing your own music tracks right from the table is a great experience for our restaurant guests and we look forward to rolling out the service to more of our restaurant locations.”
DisruptiveApps is also announcing a partnership with ambient music provider, PlayNetwork, “Creators of Original Vibes”. PlayNetwork is a leader in the ambient music space with over 80,000 venues to which it supplies background music and other high-end media solutions. DisruptiveApps partnered with PlayNetwork because of its breadth of services across hundreds of premier brands, and its ability to attract top name retailers and restaurant chains. Currently the partnership team is working with one of the nation’s largest apparel retailers to bring smartphone interactive music into its venues as a marketing platform to attract more millennials and keep them shopping longer.
DisruptiveApps is the maker of the iJukebox interactive music service, a streaming service for restaurants and retailers that is interactive via smartphone or tabletop device. Founded in 2010, the company has raised a total of $2M in capital and is currently working to expand services throughout the US. The iJukebox platform is the only commercial streaming service that is licensed by both Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group for interactive play. For more information, please visit www.myijukebox.com.
Based in Dallas, Texas, the Ziosk tablet is the first entertainment, ordering and pay-at-the-table touchscreen for the casual dining restaurant market. The technology, featuring a 7-inch Android OS touchscreen and credit card reader, resides on each table and enables the guests to see menu items, play games, view news, order food and beverages, request music, play games and ‘pay on demand’; all which gives guests control over their dining experience. With its interactive capabilities, the Ziosk tablet and its footprint have created the Ziosk Media Network, a digital media platform for partners to create engaging experiences at the point of purchase. The Ziosk tablet and the Ziosk Media Network are revolutionizing the experience and economics of casual dining. For more information, please visit www.ziosk.com.
PlayNetwork creates entertainment and digital media experiences that build lasting impressions with
customers worldwide. Their efforts help brands deepen their relationships with customers through Comfort + Discovery, developing emotional bonds that drive lifetime value. Their clients engage them for custom music and media supervision, A/V systems engineering and installation, branded entertainment campaigns, technology and innovation development, global music and content licensing, original video and motion graphics, social media activation, advertising networks, and more. PlayNetwork partners with over 300 brands across 80,000 locations in 90 countries, their work touching more than 100 million people every day. For more information, please visit www.playnetwork.com.
Panacea Capital Advisors, Inc., headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, provides venture capital to startup and early stage companies operating in the U.S. Panacea Capital also provides strategic advisory services and serves as a trusted partner and co-investor with owners and management of U.S. middle market businesses. From an industry perspective, Panacea Capital generally focuses on foodservices, technology-enabled business services (including food tech and music tech), content and information services, outdoor media, distribution and supply chain, publishing, broadcast, telecommunication towers, and consumer retail. For more information, please visit www.panaceacap.com.
