SANTA MONICA, CA (Musicane) -
Music producer/recording artist/creative entrepreneur Will.i.am, of internationally acclaimed hip hop/pop group The
Black Eyed Peas, has joined the executive team as Head of Marketing for Musicane (www.musicane.com), an online service that provides content creators and producers with the capability to market, virally distribute and sell digital content directly from their own Web sites, blogs and online social networks. Through Will.i.am's influential reach and industry expertise, he will advance the growth of the company, promote the adoption of the technology as well as shape future product offerings. Will.i.am's entrepreneurial skills and knowledge of the music, technology, community, mobile and entertainment industries brings hands-on value to artist-friendly Musicane which targets not only creative artists but anyone with a creative penchant.
Will.i.am is a successful producer, entertainer, record label owner and all around creative powerhouse who recently launched his own record label, i.am, through Interscope Records. His initial roster includes Macy Gray, Fergie of The Black Eyed Peas, and Sergio Mendes. As a musician and artist, Will.i.am has recorded with Sergio Mendes, Carlos Santana, Erykah Badu, Justin Timberlake, the Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Diddy, Mary J. Blige, the Pussycat Dolls, and Busta Rhymes in addition to his celebrated work with The Black Eyed Peas. His producing credits include much of The Black Eyed Peas recordings, the theme song for the animated series "Samurai Jack," and tracks for artists such as Rhymes, Nas, the Game, Sierra and Snoop. Will.i.am's first major label solo album will be released in 2007. His "My Humps" ringtone is the best selling ringtone on record to date. He has scored a film with Hillary Swank.
From one of Apple iPod's first commercials ("Hey Mama") to the "digi-sode" series of short movies by Snickers featuring the Black Eyed Peas, incorporating innovative visual effects which appeared in theatrical trailers, television commercials and distributed through the web, Will.i.am has proven that he is a creative force in marketing on all levels. He has created an online community on the Black Eyed Peas website where fans can upload and share their content and have their own personal spaces, interact with other 'pea bodies' as well as interact online with the band.
"Will is a stellar example of someone who is an innovator and tastemaker both from a creative standpoint and in the manner he has embraced new technologies to further his success," said Sudhin Shahani, Chief Executive Officer of Musicane. "He is positioned at the confluence of media and technology and we're enthusiastic about working together to empower all media creators to use technology to further their careers and expand their reach."
"I'm excited about waking up with Musicane and working to define what music and entertainment means and how it's distributed today and tomorrow," said Will.i.am.
"We're pleased to have a visionary like Will on board. He is an active, contemporary force in a number of industries directly related to our offerings," stated Musicane's President and Managing Partner Vik Jain.
