When independent heavy metal label “Itchy Metal Entertainment” launched in late 2010, the company intended to leverage technology to the fullest. From inception, the strategy was to enable a fully mobile staff through the social media platform.
Initially using a combination of Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Blogger, IME quickly extended the company brand and global footprint. The combined SM providers allowed the label to instantly create and share real-time content from geographically dispersed sources and maintain the critical ability to capture and interact with an ever-increasing fan base.
In addition, IME utilizes cloud services for document and content management needs across its own employees and the artist roster. E-mail is still leveraged, but those communications are increasingly being supplemented and even replaced through FB chats, wall posts, shorter direct messages, text and chat messaging.
Digital distribution is handled through iTunes; Twitter managed through RSS bots and video content is published via YouTube and Vimeo which are simultaneously interlinked with IME’s Social Media accounts. IME also utilizes several analytics and web-charting tools to keep track of site traffic, online buzz and monitor brand growth for both company and artists.To further promote web presence and strengthen search engine results, IME is migrating to WordPress as the web-platform of choice for the company’s official website due to its strong SEO and SM integration.
As the label executives, employees and individual artists are constantly on the move, IME’s mobility vendor had to be reliable, affordable, super-efficient and allow for business-level integration across familiar software applications.
After evaluating competing platforms such as the Apple iPhone and Google’s Android offerings, Itchy Metal came to the conclusion that Windows Phone 7 was a natural choice for the following reasons:
- The staff’s familiarity with MS Office applications and the need for integrated cloud services
- Faster access to information updates without having to launch applications: via Windows Tiles
- A globally supported development platform for exploring future business-specific applications
- Hardware that supports mobile image, audio and video content creation in HD Formats
“We’re moving at the speed of light while at the same time, having to remain budget conscious within the current economic climate. WP7 isn’t only a more affordable solution but also an immediate productivity enhancer. It’s become our primary device for almost all business functions that previously required a laptop,” states Ed Fassio, CEO of Itchy Metal.
ITCHY METAL ENTERTAINMENT - COMPANY QUICK FACTS:
- Launched November 2010
- Grew 1000% in 7 weeks
- Went international in 10 weeks
- 100% Mobile Workforce
- Utilizes Social Media for promo, distro, company communications
- Manages 7 geographically dispersed business partners
- Creates, owns and maintains 1000+ web profiles across 24 separate brands
- Total Staff 12. Daily Operations Staff 3.
- Uses Google Docs, Windows Live & MobileMe Cloud Services for doc and content management
- Preferred mobile device: Microsoft Windows Phone 7
