Syntax Creative has partnered with Russian streaming service Zvooq to bring its independent music catalog to listeners across Russia and several neighboring countries.
The agreement gives Syntax-distributed labels access to a service with more than 5 million registered users. At the time of the deal, Zvooq offered a catalog of about 15 million songs from 500,000 artists.
Listeners can use the service through computers, smartphones and tablets. In addition, Zvooq supports both online listening and offline playback through preloaded music.
Beyond Russia, the service operates in Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Syntax Creative Returns to Russia Through Zvooq
The partnership extends a goal Syntax Creative CEO Timothy J. Trudeau began pursuing after visiting Russia for a music festival in St. Petersburg in 2009.
Trudeau said the audience’s willingness to travel through difficult weather and remain engaged throughout the festival left a lasting impression.
“After that trip, I knew that I needed to find a way to get our music into Russia,” Trudeau said. “It wasn’t until my dialogue with Zvooq that I thought I had finally found the right partner.”
For Syntax, the agreement turns that personal connection into a direct path for its labels to reach listeners across the region.
Zvooq Builds a Legal Alternative to Piracy
Zvooq has positioned itself as a legal alternative in a market where widespread piracy has made it difficult for artists and rights holders to generate revenue.
The service offers free, on-demand music supported by advertising while also providing paid features. Meanwhile, it works with labels and distributors to license the music available through its platform.
Zvooq raised $20 million in 2014 as it expanded its catalog, apps and partnerships.
“We try to cater to all music tastes, and building new content partnerships is our top priority,” Zvooq head of content Tanya Mulkidzhanova said. “Bringing new artists and titles to Zvooq via Syntax Creative is something we look forward to.”
Zvooq co-founder Victor Frumkin said the company wants to bring more order to Russia’s digital music market.
“By delivering the best end-user listening experience and an easy-to-integrate service for our partners, we create an enjoyable, legal music market that brings revenue and awareness to artists,” Frumkin said.
A Distribution Deal With a Personal History
Syntax Creative already works with digital music services around the world. However, Trudeau said the history behind the Zvooq agreement makes this partnership different.
“We have deals all over the world, but this one is especially exciting because I made that personal connection with people who expressed a deep interest in our music, which was tough to access in a legal manner,” he said.
The deal gives Syntax labels another international outlet while giving Zvooq additional independent music for listeners across Russia and its surrounding markets.
See Syntax Creative’s announcement about the Zvooq partnership.