Roqbot for Business App Turns Customers Into DJs

Businesses put a lot of thought into the consumer experience: where a store is located, what color the menus are. But few seem to acknowledge that music can make or break a customer's time spent shopping or eating.

Many grow tired of hearing the same old songs at the bar every Friday night or cringe entering the retail chain that plays one holiday album on repeat throughout December. Now, with Roqbot for Business, consumers can play DJ, and voice opinions about what music businesses choose to play.

Roqbot, backed by Google Ventures, launched in 2010 and has raised $1.2 million in seed funding so far. The mobile business app, available for Android and iOS, puts choice in the consumer?s hands -- but it wants to be more than just another streaming music service.

"We?re the best parts of streaming music and jukebox and all-in-one service for businesses," Roqbot cofounder Garrett Dodge says. "There's been a ton of innovation around digital music but none that addresses business owners."

Many small businesses rely on iPods, Spotify or XM radio to supply music, but don't have the necessary licensing to play music in a commercial setting. Business owners can subscribe to Roqbot for a monthly fee, and can use the app as a remote for an existing web player or purchase Roqbot's specialized hardware.

Roqbot holds licenses to 7 million songs, and business owners can customize genres or playlists for consumers to choose from. Dodge says Muzak is the startup's largest competitor, but he's confident in the social aspects of Roqbot.

Roqbot requires consumers to purchase credits via Amazon or credit card after a certain number of song selections, which could be a potential drawback for shoppers with little time or who aren't invested in the music experience. Larger chains can sponsor the credits, as the Gap in San Francisco does. However, local bars and others may want to play up the ?jukebox? mentality to encourage customers to continue to pay for credits.

Dodge wouldn?t share how many companies currently use Roqbot, but he said the app isn't limited to bars or retail stores. ?We?ve had orthodontists and race tracks in Orlando approach us, and we?re excited to be able to bring great music and engage customers at all different social, out-of-home experiences,? he says.

Image courtesy of Flickr, ddaarryynn.

Source: http://mashable.com/2012/12/04/roqbot/

ufc145 chimpanzee chimpanzee the lucky one pittsburgh pirates mariners mets