Getting the Messages Out Online

0
Getting the Messages Out Online
Audioo CEO Ryan Born at firm’s office in Sherman Oaks.

Ever receive an angry voice mail from an ex? Or a semicoherent recorded message from a friend who’s had a few too many drinks?

Music licensing company AudioMicro has purchased a voicemail-sharing website with the goal of turning such questionable calls into entertainment.

The Sherman Oaks company, which licenses commercial-use music and sound effects for advertising, film and TV, acquired Audioo.com from founder Ben Padnos. Ryan Born, AudioMicro’s chief executive, announced the acquisition of the site May 24 at a tech conference in New York.

Padnos, who has moved into an advisory role, calls Audioo the voicemail version of TextsFromLastNight.com, a site that’s grown popular for displaying weird and wild text messages uploaded by contributors. “We added the sound,” he said.

Revenue comes from ad sales, but Born said he was more interested in adding content to AudioMicro’s library.

Contributors can upload a voicemail directly from a phone to Audioo, and the site will display a message by category or area code. Voice transcription software also produces a text version.

Currently, site contributors have uploaded more than 1,000 voice messages. If Audioo is successful, Born said he will consider expanding it to include other types of voice recordings, such as phone conversations or speeches.

Born said the site is meant to be humorous and not spiteful. And he doesn’t think anyone will be able to sue.

“If you receive the voicemail, you own the sound recording,” he said. “You do have the right to publish it for editorial purposes, which is what we’re in the business of.”

No posts to display