USA Network and Yahoo! Music announced that they have entered into an agreement to discover and promote new music and emerging artists through a non-traditional marketing model. The collaboration, the first of its kind for television, seeks to move beyond the boundaries of traditional marketing by enhancing USA Network’s slate of innovative programming and promotional content through relevant and breakthrough music.

“We’re thrilled to be involved in this innovative partnership that has the potential to create a new model for the way musical artists are discovered and developed,” said Chris McCumber, USA’s senior vice president, marketing & brand strategy. “We look forward to combining the resources and creative synergy of USA, Yahoo! Music and media architect Spencer Proffer to carve a unique sonic brand for the network.”

Under terms of the venture, USA Network will then sign the mutually agreed-upon performing artists, integrating them into the network for an incubation period. Music industry innovator Spencer Proffer of Meteor 17 will oversee the development and promotion of the artists along with USA
Network and Yahoo! Music. USA will utilize the artists’ recordings for marketing and programming on the network and will benefit from a flexible source of new music for use on all platforms. Yahoo! Music will employ artists’ music for further exposure.

Originally posted on May 9, 2007 @ 5:56 pm