PluggedIn, a Web site focused on music videos and other music
offerings, is expected to launch Wednesday in public beta with
partnerships with Sony BMG, Universal Music Group and EMI and an
investment from Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment.
PluggedIn.com will launch
with more than 10,000 music videos in a player with high-definition
capabilities and more than 1 million artist profiles. It also will
allow users to create their own profiles and create playlists.
PluggedIn and "strategic partner" Overbrook, of which producer
James Lassiter ("I Am Legend") and former CAA agent Ken Stovitz
also are principals, already have committed a combined $2 million.
PluggedIn CEO Jeff Somers said the company will be "actively
raising a bigger (financing) round shortly after launch."
The company has licensing and advertising revenue-sharing
agreements with all the major labels except Warner Music Group.
Somers said his company is in discussions with WMG about a
partnership and he is "very hopeful that they'll come on
board."
A WMG spokesman declined comment, but a source close to the company
confirmed the talks.
