Post by David Chaitt
As a result of my Music Industry Survey, an acquaintance who participated in the survey told me about music video startup he’s been helping out called Cull.TV.
At first glance, it was extremely overwhelming especially with the autoplay videos (perfect for people with ADD), but I poked my head around the site and saw what they had to offer. I agreed to have an interview with Katherine de León who is the site’s co-founder. Here’s what she said:
1a. Do you see Cull.TV as filling a void in the industry? Why?
Yes. Music discovery online is disjointed. You can browse YouTube, but the chance that you’ll find your next favorite artist that way is minimal. Most music discovery services utilize a single approach to help artists find new audiences. It’s usually a critic on a blog or top 10 charts. Our method is unique. We look at what’s trending on social networks, what’s happening in your friend graph, draw from machine learning algorithms and top it off with editorial programming to deliver the most relevant music videos from emerging artists.
b. On that note, do you see it as competing with Vevo? Why or why not?
No, we don’t see ourselves competing with Vevo. Vevo is the go-to website if you want to watch the latest music videos from Top 40 artists but there’s so much more out there to discover! The sheer amount of great new music coming out is staggering. I’d say Vevo’s focus is a lot narrower than ours.
2. How do you plan on monetizing the site?
Most consumer websites monetize through some kind of advertising or subscription model. We have tons of opportunities to monetize, but for now we’re focused on building our audience and providing a killer music experience. Our approach to monetization will be thoughtful and deliver value to our audience. In other words, we’re not going to rush it.
3. What are some plans or goals for 2012?
Become the go-to resource for new music discovery! We also plan to roll out a mobile version in 2012. Look for Cull TV on tablets and phones soon.
Please be sure to check out Cull.TV. You might discover your next favorite band that you didn’t even know existed.
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