In collaboration with PlayNetwork Inc., which specializes in tailored and channel-centric music for business use, Apple Music for Business pilots a version of its service to join competitors Pandora for Business, SiriusXM for Business, and Spotify-backed Soundtrack Your Business in the background music market. 

In a joint announcement, Apple Music and PlayNetwork Inc. said, “Each brand has an identity, a voice, and a story they want to tell – and now they can, with music.” 

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They also added, “Apple Music for Business centers on human curation that requires attention and skill to make it a seamless part of the experience. With this understanding, we’ve taken the expertise of both Apple Music curators and PlayNetwork music supervisors and injected it into this service to ensure you have the sound right in every location.” 

The system will work with PlayNetwork’s content delivery platform CURIOPlayer Z8, an internet-connected stereo controlled via the CURIOPlayer UI app. 

Per an official Apple Music for Business release, “When a customer starts an Apple Music trial from one of your branded links, you’ll receive a referral fee with no cap on earnings.” Although the pricing hasn’t been released yet, Apple Music aims to increase customer engagement through the app’s introduction. 

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In comparison, SiriusXM for Business from PlayNetwork claims that their Internet music service for business costs $24.95 per month; Pandora for Business music system powered by MOOD is priced at $26.95 a month; and Spotify-backed Soundtrack Your Brand charges a monthly fee of nearly $26.99. As special business contracts must be made to use certain pieces of music in retail areas due to high-priced licensing fees, PlayNetwork approaches such issue for clients like Starbucks and Estée Lauder.

There is also an integrated marketing program that connects brands to customers through existing channels like websites and social media. Apple says, “All partners receive an Apple Music marketing toolkit containing creative assets, digital tools, and brand guidance to help you clearly communicate what music is playing and where to find it.”

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After six months of operation focused on retail chains with 100 stores or more, Apple has already garnered 25 clients, which are estimated to deliver music to more than 10,000 store locations. As a startup, Apple Music still falls behind Spotify’s 113 million Premium subscribers with its 60 million paid subscribers as of June 2019. 

A testimony from Harrods’ director of partnerships Guy Cheston reads, “We were captivated by their proposition that we could have our brand reflected in our own curated playlist.”

Apple now displays on the Apple Music for Business landing page, “This revolutionary service combines world-class music curation, proprietary technology, and easy-to-use tools to let customers listen to, share, and enjoy the music your brand plays – no matter where they go.”