We7 gets set for hyper-growth following significant series "A" funding

Jan 21, 2008

We7, the ad supported download initiative, today announces a significant Series A round of funding of $6 million. With funding secured, We7 will accelerate its growth plan in 2008, building on its successful advertising trials to date.

The round was led by musician and digital music pioneer Peter Gabriel and Spark Ventures, with continued support from founder investors John Taysom and Steve Purdham, who started and built UK based global technology company, SurfControl plc.

We7 has pioneered the award-winning web 2.0 technology, which allows adverts to be dynamically "grafted" onto the front of music tracks based on a consumer's personal demographics, "whispering" intimately into their ears.

This allows advertisers to target their consumer more precisely and remain with them when transferred onto their Mp3 player with audio and brand imaging, wherever they may be.

Independent research carried out by Frukt showed that the short, relevant, We7 advertising messages were preferred by music fans to other models of funding music from advertising. Early effectiveness research is clearly showing a significant brand awareness impact of the We7 model compared to that of other sites, especially other music based sites.

We7 has already successfully completed innovative advertising trials with Microsoft, for Xbox 360, and campaigns for Sony Ericsson, Café Direct and Sicko, the latest film release from renowned director, Michael Moore.

Steve Purdham, CEO of We7 states "In a short time since our initial launch we already have a registered user base of almost 100,000 consumers who have downloaded over 1 million music tracks and are willingly prepared to listen to relevant and quality Brand messages for access to the music they want. We7 provides a unique level of intimacy for brands allowing them to extend their digital campaigns beyond the boundaries of the internet."