Michael Matthews

Photo by @curtismatthewsphotography

Founder of DigitalRadioTracker (DRT)

Recently, we caught up with DigitalRadioTracker (DRT) founder Michael Matthews for The Orange Magazine exclusive.

Mr. Matthews gave us an in-depth look at how his company has paved the way as an alternative for artists and labels seeking a means to track their progression via internet radio. He also gives us a little insight into how DRT is beneficial to new and developing artists and labels, as well as some of the hurdles he has faced over the years creating this platform. Take a look below to find out more about the man behind the successful tracking platform known as DigitalRadioTracker.

First, briefly tell us about yourself and how you got started in digital media?

I started off in the music industry as an artist manager. I did professional artist management for 25 years. During that time, I built a lot of relationships and decided to launch a marketing company called Dominion Global Marketing. After retiring from artist management, I focused on radio promotion for a while. As I saw technology changing the music industry, I went on to create the internet radio campaign taking the same model from Commercial FM promotion. A couple years later I was led to form the music monitoring company, DigitalRadioTracker.com Inc.

What sets you apart from other companies offering similar services?

DigitalRadioTracker is the only company in the world to provide a FREE artist/song/broadcaster searchable database to our users which contains over 45 million song titles. This has been an invaluable resource tool for independent artists. Other monitoring companies charge to access their database. DigitalRadioTracker is also the only monitoring company in the world that does not require any special encoding or fingerprinting. By using its proprietary software, DRT can track songs from the very first time it is played! Other monitoring sources cannot monitor a song unless someone sends the song to them to be encoded first. This is especially important as spins are often missed on songs. This can affect promotional strategies and royalties on a project. DRT has simplified the process in getting a song tracked. Simply get your song played at least one-time on any of the 5000+ stations that DRT monitors and a DRT file will be created on that song. Register for a FREE DRT Account on our website and login to our web portal to generate a DRT Report at any time on your song. It is that easy!

Most tracking companies seem to offer only 1 report of their findings, but I saw that you offer more than that! What are the different types of reports you provide to clients? Explain what analytics they offer.

DRT offers 5 types of reports: A DRT Report provides information about a song that received airplay on a specific station. It displays the exact time of day/night a song is played and most importantly, the number of times its played. DRT also offers historical eight-week reports which list the history of airplay detections during the previous eightweeks on all our monitored stations. In addition, DRT provides comprehensive reports which outlines the exact time of day/night a song is played on each of our monitored stations as well as any remix versions. Since the conception of music monitoring, no other company has provided this type of specialty information. Other broadcast monitoring companies usually merge all the information into one report making it impossible to determine which version of the song was played. Broadcast Raw Data Summary Logs and Broadcaster Comprehensive Reports are also available for anyone wanting to know the playlist data for a specific radio station.

How can your product change the world?

What problem your service can solve and how is it essential to the music industry? I will say that DRT is revolutionizing the way broadcast monitoring is being done. With modern day technology, it has allowed us to provide the music industry with lucrative, innovative and creative marketing research initiatives throughout the world. DigitalRadioTracker. com Inc. understands the importance of knowing who, when, where and how often a song is being played. That is our mission and passion which creates the nucleus of who we are as a service provider. It does not matter if you are a multinational enterprise or a small start-up; we believe innovation is the key to success in both what is created and how one markets a product or service. DRT will continue to develop better solutions to assist artists, songwriters, publishers, producers and music related companies around the world achieve sustainable growth for their business and develop a clear mission to combat the ultra-competitive marketplace.

Photo by @curtismatthewsphotography

Is DRT geared to one style of music or is it open to all genres?

DRT specializes in monitoring radio airplay by broadcasters of the following genres: Contemporary Hit Radio/Pop (Top 40), Urban-Hip-Hop-Rap/R&B, Country/Americana, Rock/Alternative, Gospel/Christian/Inspirational, Adult Contemporary and some Blues/Jazz.

Who can benefit from using your services?

Our services are beneficial to any music industry professional or individuals interested in understanding more about airplay analytics and song trends in today’s music industry.

How are your company’s service beneficial to an up-and-coming artist or label?

DRT is utilized by artists, publicists, managers, promoters, radio station programmers, DJs, music industry executives and more! The global airplay data that DRT collects is especially useful to artists and record labels because they can use the information to book shows and tours, set-up interviews, sell merchandise or promote their songs to other radio stations to secure more airplay. Artists and record labels can also use the airplay information to assist in collecting royalties on their music and increase their fanbase. Or they can use the data to develop promotional strategies and learn which markets to further promote and market their music. Before now, there was no other monitoring source providing this level of analytics for new independent artists and record labels to be able to monetize their brand.

How did you get your idea or concept for the business?

It all started one day as I was talking to an associate. We started to notice that more and more of the songs that we were promoting were being played on digital radio. At the time, it was referred to as Internet Radio. As we began our research, we discovered that no one was really monitoring the activity of songs on digital streaming radio. As a record promoter, you always want to know what is going on with the songs you are promoting and be able to illustrate to your clients that you are working for them. In talking to some of the main monitoring companies, we found out that they were not interested in monitoring airplay on digital radio as well as some small-market FM stations. These stations are known to support new and developing artists and are much easier to garner airplay from. Being that this was a void in the music industry, we thought if no one wants to do it, maybe we should try and develop something. What started off as an internal software to show our clients that their song was being played at various levels of radio, has now turned into a global monitoring company – DigitalRadioTracker.

Tell us about the DRT Plaque program, what is the most exciting part of that for you?

Our DRT Certified Plaques are some of the highest quality in the music industry. They are made using 100% Italian solid wood frame, superior quality printing on plexiglass and 3D raised inserts. DRT is the only company in the music industry to use Augmented Reality technology in our plaques. This feature allows you to scan your plaque with your phone or tablet and it will play the artist’s music video! To qualify, an artist must have a single charted on any of the official DRT Charts for a minimum of one week. This can be at any chart position from 2014 to present. Since launching, we have heard artist say they will cherish it forever and for some it will have a special place in their heart because it was their first accolade. We are excited that artists get to display their success and enjoy a lifetime of memories with their DRT Certified Plaque!

Photo by @curtismatthewsphotography

What are your long-term goals for the company?

As technology continues to expand with devices such as Amazon Echo and Google Home, DRT plans on monitoring more digital streaming stations on these devices. Internet Radio are being installed in millions of cars today and DRT will focus on monitoring more of these streaming stations. DRT’s goal is to be the first broadcast monitoring company to track specialty shows such as DJ mix-shows, ministries, talk shows and more!

What would you say to an artist or record label that is still trying to pursue music as an independent?

The best advice I could give to anyone looking to pursue music is, stay true to your artistic craft. Focus on building your brand by any means necessary. Do not allow anyone to tell you that you will not be successful because you do not have this or that. And most importantly do not let the politics of this industry interfere with your success. An incredibly wise person once told me, “When you don’t know what to do, do what you know to do!”

Lastly, how can people contact DigitalRadioTracker?

The best point of contact is by email: digitalradiotracker@comcast.net or via social media on Instagram/Facebook @ DigitalRadioTracker and Twitter @DRTRadioTracker.

Photo by @curtismatthewsphotography