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AirSpun, Inc. Goes Live with Strong Support from Partners, Radio Stations and Artists

AirSpun, Inc. today announced that its web-automated 60-second "Artist Showcase" spots have run on radio stations in six markets nationwide. Bands and artists visiting the airspun.com website are able to browse available 60-second airtime usually reserved for business ads and use it to showcase clips of their music to genre-targeted radio audiences. The company sites strong media and promotional relationships as the reason for their recent success.

San Mateo, CA (Billboard Publicity Wire) December 5, 2006 -- AirSpun, Inc. launched the e-commerce Web site www.airspun.com two months ago and today announced a recent burst of user activity on their a patent-pending online airtime booking system that offers affordable commercial radio exposure to independent recording artists as a legal, fair alternative to payola. The company sites strong media and promotional relationships as the reason for their recent success.

Major radio networks Clear Channel and Entercom have shown support of AirSpun's new concept by allowing them to offer reasonably-priced 60-second spots for AirSpun's Artist Showcases on their radio stations representing all major music formats on "test market" stations nationwide. Each spot features a brief announcement of the song and band/artist name, followed by 45 seconds of the showcased song, and a required AirSpun end-tag inviting listeners to visit the airspun.com site to find a featured artist's profile and be directed to their official fan and music download sites.

AirSpun's current goal is to build cross-promotional relationships with companies targeting those independent artists, managers and record labels who are seeking control of their own marketing and creative futures. The first such relationship was formed and recently launched with Broadjam, Inc. (www.broadjam.com), host to one of the world's largest web communities for musicians and fans as well as a massive online database of searchable independent music. AirSpun is currently evaluating other promotional partnerships, including those that offer the opportunity to aggregate content and expand its proprietary online airtime booking concept to other kinds of content creators such as podcasters and authors.

"We set out to create an affordable way to allow every recording artist the opportunity to be heard on commercial radio," states AirSpun CEO and Founder Heidi Elgaard. "The level of interest we've seen from artists, their managers and labels, and our affiliated radio stations in our first two months has clearly validated this new model and shows the strength of our promotional partnerships."

Bands and artists visiting the airspun.com website are able to browse available 60-second airtime slots on radio stations by genre and city. After booking their slot (at prices ranging from $20 to $200, depending on location), they will be able to download 60-second audio templates and upload completed Artist Showcase slots that will be previewed and downloaded by the radio stations for broadcast airplay. Artists that use the AirSpun booking system will also get a free online referral page linking to wherever their music is sold online.

Recent payola investigations highlight the FCC's efforts to crack down on undisclosed pay-to-play practices by major labels and broadcasters. By announcing each 60-second spot as a paid Artist Showcase, AirSpun turns a traditionally illegal, unfair practice into a legal and strategic advantage for emerging bands or artists who don't have a record deal and are willing to invest in their career in exchange for keeping more royalties down the road.

About AirSpun, Inc.
AirSpun, Inc., a Silicon Valley start-up, offers a revolutionary online vehicle for independent music and digital media artists. The company's unique web services give independent recording artists, podcasters, and audiobook publishers equal access to commercial radio time and a chance to be heard by a global fanbase. AirSpun's mission is to democratize the hitmaking process worldwide. For more information, visit www.airspun.com.

Contact: Press Relations (press @ airspun.com)

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