Rdio Australia enters partnership with Harvey Norman

Rdio Australia has announced that it will partner with Harvey Norman for an exclusive integrated promotion, to meet demand for streaming services and connected-home audio systems.

As part of the promotion, customers who purchase any compatible connected-home audio system from Harvey Norman will receive three months free access to Rdio’s Unlimited tier.

Staff across 186 Harvey Norman stores will be trained as official Rdio ambassadors, who will use the streaming service to demonstrate the wireless audio systems. Customers will have access to the retailer’s official Rdio profile housing playlists and stations, curated exclusively for Harvey Norman.

Colin Blake, Rdio Australia and New Zealand General Manager, told TMN that the partnership would benefit both companies in different ways.

“For Rdio, it’s a unique opportunity to have hands on product demonstrations to new customers via Harvey Norman’s staff showcasing our platform exclusively. For Harvey Norman, there isgreat opportunity to lead in this category of new home audio technology – and Rdio is the perfect partner!”

The talks for a partnership had begun a year prior, with Harvey Norman approaching Rdio for ideas.

“Harvey Norman was being proactive recognising that connected- home audio devices were just beginning to gain momentum and interest from their customers,” said Blake.

“They investigated the music streaming services available in Australia and approached Rdio based on their experience with our technology and product.”

Although Rdio doesn’t share its number of paid subscribers because it is a privately owned company, it is one of the world’s leading streaming services operating in 85 countries worldwide.