For the last half-year or so, we’ve heard stories having to do with high-profile music acts - among which Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails have received the most attention - and how the promotion of free downloads has driven many consumers to purchase associated content - whether it be in the form of physical media or yet more music downloads. Today, Last.fm, the Web-based social music network owned by CBS, added its own share of data to the growing record of proof that the distribution of free content, marketed effectively, can in fact boost sales of CDs and downloads.
Since the service’s “free on-demand” music delivery system launched, company says that sales numbers amassed through its partnership with Amazon.com “have experienced a 119% increase.” Martin Stiksel, a co-founder of the popular music service, attests to the fact that “this demonstrates that giving users free access to streaming songs encourages music purchasing.” Last.fm purports to offer “over five-million tracks for full-length streaming.”