Very Interesting - Coupled with my last post and the LiquidAudio PR today... their a bit behind, but I bet still on track.
RedDotNet is a subsidiary of Alliance Entertainment Corp., Inc.
RedDotNet is a leader in the digital revolution, providing state-of-the-art proprietary technology and services that enable brick-and-mortar retailers to harness the limitless potential of digital retailing. RedDotNet is founded on a smart, digital distribution network that provides music previews, album cover art, and editorial information via in-store media stations in retail locations.
In December 1999 RedDotNet received a $70 million dollar cash infusion from the Yucaipa Companies. Other investors in RedDotNet include George Soros' Quantum Industrial Partners. In November of 2000, Yucaipa announced an additional $25 million dollar investment in RedDotNet.
Today RedDotNet delivers music through in-store media stations. In the future, RedDotNet will deliver audio books, DVD's, video games... any form of home entertainment product that can be digitized.
The company's RedDot systems' Multimedia Dot and Audio Dot take in-store music previews to a new level of simplicity and ease. The RedDot's are approximately nine inches in diameter and four inches deep. The systems can be installed as a stand alone fixture, mounted in the bins, placed on an endcap, or on a wall.
The Red Dots enable customers to preview specific albums that can be selected by browsing through the bins or via the Dot’s touch screen and dial technology. Upon selection of an album, the physical CD can be scanned using the UPC code. The device then delivers sound samples, cover art, and editorial content (provided the information in the company's database). This content is provided by a sister company, the All Media Guide. www.allmusic.com
An in-store RedDot content server delivers information to the Dots. A proprietary high-speed network enables the RedDot Network to manage the content, database, and in-store equipment. This external system consists of a satellite-based wireless network with two way talk back via the company's Network Operating Center.
Beyond AMG’s rich database of sound samples of 200,000+ albums, cover art, and reviews, RedDot's planned product extensions include: Search capability in Q1, 2001, remote fulfillment orders in Q2, 2001, in-store CD manufacturing in Q3 2001, in-store digital downloading to compliant devices in Q4, 2001, and rich media advertising and data mining in Q4, 2001.
The RedDot system also includes an innovative in-store listening post. This Audio Dot consists of a bar code scanner and headphones. The Audio Dot is compact, easy to install, and can be placed every four to eight feet in a store’s CD bins.
The RedDot system was first implemented in May 1998 with The Walt Disney Company in retail locations within Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The system provides on-demand, in-store custom compilation CD manufacturing.
The RedDot Network is deployed with systems in the stores of major chain and mass merchant retailers including, Barnes & Noble, Kmart, TransWorld Entertainment Corporation, Wherehouse Entertainment, Inc., Virgin Entertainment Group, Inc., and Best Buy-Musicland Stores Corporation.
Key Dates for RedDotNet
Founded in December 1997 as Digital Digital On-Demand
Acquired by Alliance Entertainment Corp., Inc. December 1999
Established as the foundation of Alliance's new Media & Internet Services Group, February 2000
