Tech Shout!

Imeem, a social networking site has announced its partnership with Universal Music Group (UMG) that will offer users to stream Universal’s digital music and video catalog. imeem claims to be the first website to give a full-length streaming access to the entire music and video catalogs of all four major music companies including Warner Music Group (Charts), Sony (Charts) BMG, and EMI on an advertising-supported basis.

This agreement has enabled imeem users to express themselves with music and video from UMG’s digital catalog. This catalog includes world’s top-selling artists such as Kanye West, Amy Winehouse, 50 Cent, Black Eyed Peas, The Pussycat Dolls, Gwen Stefani, The Killers, Nelly and many more.

Imeem members can now stream millions of songs and videos from all four major music companies and thousands of independent labels. Also users can upload their favorite music, video and photos. Even members can use the search option in order to stream full-length audio and videos on-demand. imeem members can also share their favorite music with friends and fans.

“Universal Music Group is committed to exploring new ways for consumers to discover and enjoy our artists’ music online. imeem has developed an innovative way to make our artists’ music a central part of the social networking experience. More importantly, they’ve done so the right way — by working with UMG to provide an exciting musical experience for consumers, while ensuring that our artists are fairly compensated for the use of their works,” stated Doug Morris, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of UMG.

While Dalton Caldwell, founder and CEO of imeem commented, “This is a significant step forward for imeem and a defining moment for social networking and ad-supported music. imeem has pioneered a way to bring fans, bands and brands together in a way that’s good for everyone. Our agreement with UMG will make imeem’s media-centric experience even more compelling and firmly establishes our position as the leading social media network,”

Imeem’s step of making music available is considered to be a landmark as it will enable artists, labels, studios, and media companies to reach the masses easily. Moreover, the social-networking site’s ad-supported model is a new useful way of advertising for brands and businesses. Big companies like Apple, Nike, Microsoft, AT&T Wireless, Toyota Scion, T-Mobile and Puma are currently taking advantage of imeem’s ad-supported model.