Spotify partners with BandPage to further align with merchandising

Spotify has broadened its reach into e-commerce through a partnership with music technology company BandPage.

BandPage, a free app that allows musicians to sell tickets and products and share information, has today been integrated into Spotify to reach its audience of more than 40 million active users.

BandPage is already integrated with other streaming services like Rdio, Soundcloud and VEVO while Spotify has been working the merchandise market since late 2013. It partnered with D2C retail and marketing firm Topspin in January this year to use its ArtistLink tool to offer all artists the option to distribute merch through Spotify, without taking a profit.

It’s unclear whether Spotify will maintain its relationship with Topspin given the fact Beats Music acquired the company in March.

The partnership between BandPage and Spotify has launched with ambassadors Miranda Lambert, Ariana Grande, Porter Robinson, Tea Leaf Green and Stone Foxes among others. The artists are now offering their Spotify fans special packages, experiences and products through BandPage. Lambert is offering a one-of-a-kind beer cooler and t-shirt bundle, Grande a pre-sale and exclusive online concert, Robinson a meet-and-greet and prop from his Lionhearted video, members of Tea Leaf Green are offering a song collaboration and Stone Foxes a pre-show soundcheck party.

Rene Chambers, Spotify’s Senior Label & Artist Relations Manager AU/NZ told TMN: “We’ve made significant inroads over the last year making Spotify more artist-friendly than ever before and creating new, direct-to-consumer revenue opportunities on our platform. We’ve launched an Artist Dashboard (giving artists and managers real time access to Spotify streaming data relating to their music), the Spotify Artists website, and the ability to sell merchandise and gig tickets. Our partnership with BandPage is an exciting further step forward.”

29-year-old CEO of BandPage J Sider said: “For so long, musicians haven’t effectively been able to reach their fans with the right merch and VIP experiences across major streaming services. This partnership opens up a new revenue stream that enables musicians to sell directly to 40 million fans at the moment they are most engaged and listening to a musician’s song.”

Mark Williamson, Director of Artist Services for Spotify added: “This partnership represents an exciting step forward in the kinds of offers musicians can present to their fans on Spotify. We’re pleased to be working with Bandpage to help artists engage with their fan base and create new revenue opportunities.”