MusicHype is a Wellington based start-up using it's technology platform to support big & small musicians across NZ, and the world.

MusicHype is a Wellington based start-up using it's technology platform to support big & small musicians across NZ, and the world.

Since January 2010 MusicHype has been working with NZ artists, like the Mint Chicks & Crowded House, to help them connect & reward their fans online. Using it's savvy platform, the Appreciation Engine, bands of any size can connect, track and reward their fans without any hassle. Even the open source community have noticed the platforms power and nominated MusicHype as a finalist in the NZ Open Source Awards 2010.

"Really, we just wanted to make it easy for any band to reward their fans for getting involved," says Annabel Youens, Digital Strategist at MusicHype. "Everytime a fan tweets, chats about them on Facebook or favourites a video we can automatically track it and let the band know. None of us really have time to do manual tracking anymore, so we just pulled it all together." 

A couple of the latest bands to take advantage of the MusicHype platform are Alex The Kid and Katchafire.

Alex The Kid

Electro-pop Auckland band, Alex The Kid, came to MusicHype with the idea to self-fund their steampunk themed music video. After a couple coffees and a few beers the two teams developed a full campaign that taps into the MusicHype Apprecation Engine.

On musichype.com fans can contribute towards the bands video, get a free track download and find out what their steampunk persona is, with a quirky online quiz. Plus contributors also get a bonus track, a mailed postcard with a downloadable remix, as well as an entry into a steampunk mega prize draw.

Frontman Dave Thomson's loved working with the team. “The music industry is changing and the approach to releasing songs needs to be rethought,” says Dave. “With MusicHype, we are pioneering a way for an audience to connect with a band financially and culturally, sharing the ownership and intimacy of the creative output."

Katchafire

Katchafire and EMI NZ came to MusicHype to help them reward their fans for getting involved in their current NZ tour "On The Road Again."

After looking at the tour locations and seeing how the band wanted to be involved the "Best Kept Hometown Secrets" campaign was born.

Katchafire fans can share their hometown secrets and win the chance to hang out with band. It's pretty much a fans dream prize! Plus anyone who's involved gets a free mp3 of "On The Road Again".

And for MusicHype it's all about making everyone happy - fans & bands. "We know we're doing a good job because the artists we work with are pleased! We're saving them time, coming up with inventive campaigns and making everything faster and easier. What could be better," says Annabel.

If you're a musician with online needs visit http://services.musichype.com for more information.