Live from the IMS Conference in sunny Ibiza we’ve just officially announced the launch of a cutting edge creative community platform – Burn Studios.

Supported by leading producers and brought to fruition by Burn energy drink Burn Studios will be a global destination where professionals and raw talent can come together to share musical brilliance, have access to authentic state-of-the-art music making tools, link into support of tailored mentoring sessions by some of the biggest names in electronic music and connect creatively with peers through a cloud-based digital platform.

International producers Richie Hawtin -and  Cassius  have agreed to become Ambassadors for the platform, making Burn Studios the hottest property available to anyone with a desire in up-front music making.

Cassius is also creating the IMS Ibiza 2010 anthem which will then be remixed by Arthur Baker. When finished anyone can download the parts to create their own remix. The winning remixer will have their track released on Cassius’ label.

So far it looks like the concept is going down well. 85.7% of the audience here at the IMS said they would be up to join the mentoring part of the programme and 68.9% agreed that cloud technology will have a significant impact on music. As such we would really appreciate your thoughts and feedback. Come and speak to us or contact us through Twitter@pokerpr or leave a comment and tell us what you think.

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Poker PR has re branded and we would like to introduce our brand spanking new Scribble: site.  A brief introduction from us is in order as you’re probably wondering, who is Scribble:?  Well we are a digital media agency based in Brighton.  We provide communication services to clients across the world within the music and entertainment industry. We specialise in mobile applications, digital media, social media as well as website design & development.

We are very happy to announce the launch of our brand new, exciting and innovative iPhone application, Scribble: App.  It has been in the pipeline for a while now but after a lot of effort and hard work it is ready and set to revolutionise the music industry.

The first app version is an interactive communication tool for music artists, DJs and bands.  With their very own branded Scribble: App artists, DJs and bands have the power to create a unique user experience and stronger connection with fans and followers. Through the app they can promote their music, videos, photos and events as well syndicate their social media activity ultimately increasing their exposure.

With over 3 billion Apps downloaded to 14 million iPhones, and 4.5 billion mobiles used worldwide, we believe that mobile technology will soon be the dominant delivery mechanism for content and entertainment.

We are very proud of Scribble: App and we hope you think it’s as exciting as we do.  For a full list of features follow the link.  http://www.scribbleuk.com/apps

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Get ready to change your privacy settings on Facebook again. Possibly in answer to the popularity of location based networks such as the rapidly growing Foursquare, Facebook has made some changes to the language in its privacy policy from “add a location to something you post” to “place” meaning you can refer to a page such as a local bar or restaurant.

Another change that is causing a lot of negative sentiment towards the site is the sharing of information with “carefully selected” partner sites, Facebook say that this will make these sites “offer a more personalized experience”, this will work using the Facebook Connect function, the partner site will then hold the information about you, this will include your photo, name, friend list and any other information you have not made private within your privacy settings.

It is the new policy on the sharing of information that has resulted in 678 mostly negative comments on Michael Richter’s, who is Facebook’s deputy general counsel, recent blog on the changes. The reason behind most of the negative comments is the fact that this service when launched will be an opt out service, people believe they should be opting into this service that basically gives the “carefully selected” partner sites access to you public information. If you do not opt out and then decide you do not want a site to have your info then, at present, it is down to you to contact the site and ask them to remove your details from its servers.

What do you think, do you want your details being shared by default or would you prefer to opt into this service? Let us know here.

By Justin Pywell

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We at Poker PR have been impressed this week by two Facebook campaigns, coming for Kellogg’s and Absolut, both use the Facebook Connect function in a very clever way.

First up we have Kellogg’s and its new cereal ‘Krave’, the campaign involves users bidding for prizes using ‘Chunks’ on an external site, the prizes are pretty damn good – current item up for bids ‘4 tickets to Benicassim’, the Spanish music festival.

How do you earn your chunks? When you sign up using the Facebook Connect function you are given chunks you then earn chunks by inviting Facebook friends and you are given even more if they also sign up. The current bid for the Benicassim tickets is 208540 chunks, meaning there is a lot of sharing going on.

The second social media campaign that caught our eye this week is in the form of a short film from Spike Jonze, this very subtly sponsored by Absolut vodka. Facebook Connect comes into play when you enter the box office to get your pass to watch the film, you can invite ten people to watch the film with you, your status is updated before during and after the film telling people about the film, and finally the pass you pick up features your profile picture, a simple yet pleasant touch.

We at Poker PR thoroughly enjoyed the film, which has limited daily seats, and would recommend you take a look at Jonze’s story of robot love, (not as bad as that sounds) ‘I’m Here‘.

Do you have an idea for a social media campaign for your company and need someone to run it for you or are you looking for that creative spark to get your brand in front of the ever expanding social audience? If so Poker PR is here to help… Get in touch here

By Justin Pywell

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The US launch of the iPad is rapidly approaching. But we’re going to have to wait a bit longer in the UK, as I’m sure we’re all used to this with Apple by now. Apple are accepting apps for the iPad store as I type this and the store will be launched the same day as the US launch, 3^rd April.

Poker PR is wondering how many app developers will see the iPad for the great interface it could be for DJs (and VJs). Admittedly, DJ’s will not be able to run programs like Ableton or Traktor on the iPad as they are both processor heavy applications. We have seen some great OSC (Open Sound Control) interfaces on the iPhone such as TouchOSC although most of these interfaces are very hard to operate on the small iPhone screen.

The iPad offers a much larger screen and has multi touch capabilities; this means it would make a great addition to a laptop based DJ setup with the right app running. Will we see manufacturers like Native Instruments, Serato or Ableton rise to the challenge and be the first to produce an app to control one of their popular DJ software packages. Or will we see more generic controller apps produced by the likes of Hexler, who produce the brilliant TouchOSC.

Poker PR will be sitting and watching this closely. As with the iPhone it will take a while for the best apps to be developed. There is already an iPad DJ app out there and we have seen it – let’s just say it would be best to wait for some other solutions to become available.

By Justin Pywell

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We recently blogged on the launch of the new We7 iPhone app and since, there is now a new addition to the streaming music apps family – the Muziic app, which was launched on Friday and is a little different from the others.

For those of you not familiar with Muziic, it is the brainchild of a 16 year old called David Nelson. The streaming service was originally launched as a desktop program this time last year, and there is now a web based version, a Facebook app, as well as the newly launched iPhone app. Muziic works in a bit of a controversial manner as it uses YouTube API to stream videos and music. You can also listen to albums, create playlists, listen to a massive selection of internet radio stations, and share your choices across social media.

Unlike other streaming services such as Spotify, We7 etc., the Muziic service is free across all platforms and does not require a premium subscription for advert free music. One of the selling points of the Spotify and We7 apps is the ability to cache your music allowing you to play it when you have no internet connection. This function is missing from the Muziic app and would probably be a step too far for YouTube who are a little upset at this use of their API already.

Poker PR have been a fan of streaming services for some time but think this could be a step to far as it does not create a revenue to be reinvested into the music industry. What do you think of this free service? Let us know here.

By Justin Pywell

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Universal Music are to drop the price of CDs and other major labels will more than likely follow their lead. The hope is that this price drop will bolster CD sales, which have dropped year on year for the past five years.

The news of the price drops came within 24 hours after a report commissioned by GetJar – the second largest app store to Apple – was published. The report looks at the expanding app market and the key finding is that the app market will be worth a potential $17.5 billion by 2012. This would mean that the value of apps sold would be greater than the value of CDs sold in 2012, at a predicted $13.83bn.

We at Poker PR are always waxing lyrical about the potential of the ‘album app’ and can see that when the big record companies take this on board, they will finally realise that, as a format, the CD is dead. The possibilities of the album app are endless, allowing interaction with your fans on lots of different levels, connection to social media, offering exclusive (paid) content, and allowing user generated content (remix competitions etc.) to name only a few. A CD simply does not allow these capabilities.

If you are looking to produce an app and get on board with this rapidly expanding market we at Poker PR are here to help, contact us here.

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YouTube have used SXSW to announce that they’re expanding their partner program to include independent musicians. Everyone is invited to submit videos although not all of them will be featured.

Independent musicians who are accepted by YouTube’s “Musicians Wanted” section will be able to make some money from the partner program if their music videos and live musical performances draw enough views. The artists will receive ‘a majority’ of the advertising revenue from the overlay, pre-roll, and text advertising.

The group of you YouTube employees who will select the artists that get accepted will be on the lookout for indie bands. Once the artists are accepted, they will be able to add links to buy their music, list their tour dates, and they will also have more control over the look of their YouTube channel. Artists will also make money when the videos are embedded into their own sites, blogs or social media pages.

Poker PR likes the idea of YouTube gathering all these artists into a browsable and searchable area that will feature only independent artists, meaning ultimately more money will be making its way to the artists.

There is one restriction in the new program – albeit a positive one – you must submit a video. What this means is you are not able to submit a MP3 over a selection of static images. This will be great news for all the up and coming videographers and animators out there, and we at Poker PR are look forward to seeing the results of this excellent program.

By Justin Pywell

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Festival organiser Michael Eavis, revealed on Glastonbury FM that there will be a new late night area at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.

Mr Eavis said in the interview, “We’re (investing) down in the old Lost Vagueness Fields, now called Shangri-La. We’ve now got Shangri-La, we’ve got Trash City, Arcadia, and we’ve got Section 9 which is a new area. So, we’re investing heavily into that area down there for entertainment, because that’s where people want to be. We’re increasing investment into that area by about £200,000.”

Details about the new Section 9 area are few and far between, but with this sort of investment being put into the late night area Poker PR is looking forward to seeing the outcome.

During the interview Michael also revealed that Stevie Wonder is still yet to be confirmed for the Sunday headline slot, the farmer did reveal that Mumford & Sons will be play the Park Stage this year.

The festival organisers have announced that the re-sale of cancelled tickets for this year’s Festival will take place at 9am on Sunday, 11th April 2010. To be with a chance of getting your hands of some of these extremely limited tickets you have register at glastonburyregistration.co.uk before the 31^st March. Tickets will be sold online at www.seetickets.com/g2010 and via the Seetickets booking line 0844 412 4635.

By Justin Pywell

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Ibiza Rocks will return to the island this year and will be celebrating its 5^th year with some massive line ups. The brand will also be launching the Mallorca Rocks hotel; all the Mallorca Rocks events will be held at the hotel meaning you can book rooms with a stage view.

To celebrate its 5^th birthday year, Ibiza Rocks have lined up some sensational acts including Calvin Harris, Dizzee Rascal, Florence And The Machine and The Kooks to name only a few. July 20^th see’s The Prodigy headline at what will be the mother of all 5^th birthday parties.

Events this year start on the 22^nd June and run until September, the afterparties in Ibiza will be held at Es Paradis and will be free for Ibiza Rocks ticket holders (before 1.30am).

Full details on all the events, and to make your bookings for both the hotels visit ibizarocks.com.

You can also be kept up to date on via social media on both Twitter and Facebook.

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