Amsterdam-based fan messaging platform I AM POP has secured funding worth €2 million.
The company says that the investment will be used to integrate its chat editor into other messaging apps, alongside increasing the company’s fifteen strong workforce.
I AM POP was founded in 2016 by FUGA co-founder Tim Heineke (pictured).
The first key hire for this new phase of I AM POP is Max van den Ingh, who joins as Head of Growth.
Van den Ingh previously worked for Dutch leasing company MisterGreen.
He will be responsible for the commercial growth of I AM POP’s ‘software-as-a-service offering’, and building the marketing and business development teams across the London and Amsterdam offices.
In addition to the latest investment round, I Am Pop has recently welcomed new clients in the form of MAMA Festivals, Mad Decent, The Orchard, Elrow and Ministry of Sound.
I AM POP also counts the likes of Sony, Warner, AWAL and [PIAS] as clients.
“messaging services are the most popular apps in the world, however, many artists don’t yet have a presence. Our goal is to provide a simple platform that anyone can use and this funding will enable us to continue developing it.”
Tim Heineke, I AM POP
I AM POP founder Tim Heineke said: “We are entering an era of post-social. Private messaging is the new social network. Users are increasingly flocking to DM, private chat, groups and stories, fuelled by privacy concerns.
“Meanwhile, messaging apps are turning into full platforms. With 2 billion users and 100 billion messages shared daily, messaging services are the most popular apps in the world, however, many artists don’t yet have a presence. Our goal is to provide a simple platform that anyone can use and this funding will enable us to continue developing it.”
“I’m looking forward to utilising my experience in the tech industry to streamline growth efforts within the company.”
max Van den Ingh, I Am Pop
Van den Ingh added: “I AM POP is championing the shift from newsfeed sharing to direct messaging in the music industry. I’m looking forward to utilising my experience in the tech industry to streamline growth efforts within the company.”
Aaron Bogucki, VP Digital Marketing, AWAL Recordings said: “In the age of newsfeed algorithms and the public’s wider understanding of online privacy issues, fans are relying on closed group communications via direct messaging at an increasing rate.
“AWAL’s approach to identifying, engaging and converting our artist’s fans using I AM POP’s platform has helped us develop a valuable direct marketing channel for a number of our artists.”
Alex Thomson Director of I AM Pop client Greenhouse Group, said: “I AM POP has been the most effective way for us to integrate Messenger into all of our campaigns.
“I can imagine it will only become more powerful over time as Messenger incorporates more e-commerce opportunities. The functionality it offers, and ease of using the app, for the huge pay off in response from our audiences… is just incredible.”Music Business Worldwide
