Tech Start-Up Talenthouse Attracts Talent

TALENT IN THE HOUSE: Music tech start-up Talenthouse, the creative crowdsourcing site that looks to connect well-known artists with up-and-coming collaborators, has raised $4.2 million in another round of financing from high-profile investors, including Brett Ratner, Jean Piggozzi and Eric Schmidt’s Innovation Endeavors. That adds to the $15.1 million it raised in two earlier rounds. Founded by Amos Pizzey and Roman Scharf, the site is described as “the first platform for peer-to-peer engagement.” After launching in 2009, the company attracted attention when it was used in promotions by artists like Stan Lee and Soundgarden, attracting 1.5 million members. Marketers can reach out to this community, which includes creative personnel of all types, to launch customized interactive campaigns and contests providing a link between web influencers and content creators with brands. Microsoft’s Bing recently collaborated with Warner Bros. artist Theophilus London to invite Talenthouse members to remix one of the artists’ tracks. Nikon used the platform to call for bands to perform at SXSW this year, generating over half a million conversations, reaching an estimated 19 million people and 18 million peer-to-peer impressions. (5/4p)