Medallion is redefining the artist-to-fan connection

Our mission to empower artists through direct relationships with fans

Artists are some of the most influential people on earth. They shape the culture and values we share, and define some of the most memorable experiences in our lives. Despite their power to touch the world, artists have struggled for decades with little control over their creative interactions with fans and their economic futures.

The root problem is a lack of direct connections with fans.

Most artists have direct relationships with only a small fraction of their fanbase. In the current digital and business ecosystems, interactions between artists and fans are largely mediated by third party platforms. This structure limits an artist’s ability to develop an understanding of the fans who love their art, and use that insight to build new creative experiences or meaningful economic opportunities.

We founded Medallion because our team has seen firsthand the many ways in which limited fan connections can plague artists across their core activities. What would the world look like if creatives were free to pursue the arts with financial sustainability, and could share their art freely and equitably with those who feel connected to it?

We are here to help artists and fans reach their creative and economic potential and are energized by the seemingly limitless possibilities in web3.

MISSION: Expand creative and economic freedom in the next era of the internet

Our vision to create a different world for artists and fans

Web3 has created a new system for artists and fans that is different from the internet we know today. Direct connections on the blockchain are not mediated by third parties, and content can be exchanged as a scarce good with tangible utility.

In this new frontier, artists can unlock digital goods as a new creative and economic outlet they own and control. When digital goods are exchanged, a lasting connection is formed with fans that is not mediated by anyone. These goods can hold real value and meaning that can generate shared economic potential.

These new connections can dramatically change the future of artist and fan relationships, and we are exploring this opportunity in a number of important areas:

• How can we create an equitable web3 experience that scales the power of direct relationships on the blockchain for artists and fans?
• How can we help artists gain clearer insights on fan identities and needs so that artists can tailor fan experiences and create shared value?
• How can we help artists and fans collaborate and express their values or interests across multiple communities?
• How can we create an ecosystem that anyone can build on to multiply the shared value of every investment we make for artists and fans?

The future of fan communities should feel like an artist’s sold-out show in their hometown. True, passionate fans are connected with artists they love around a level of energy, familiarity, and authenticity that is unimaginable today.

“The future of fan communities should feel like an artist’s sold-out show in their hometown.”

VISION: Build web3 technology that empowers artists to redefine fan connections

First steps toward our vision

Today we are announcing a $9M+ seed funding round led by The Chernin Group with support from additional leading investors across tech, crypto and music.

Over the next six months, Medallion is ushering some of the biggest names in music into a new digital era. We will be launching early versions of our product with select artists to stretch the boundaries of new and creative fan connections in web3.

Artists will be able to create owned and operated digital worlds that expand community participation, actionable insights, and economic potential. Fans can join communities that look and feel like an artist’s world through a seamless web3 onboarding that requires no technical set-up or payments. As community members, fans can access a suite of benefits and participate creatively through input or ownership around digital goods.

We are in the process of finalizing our early launch partners. If you are interested in learning more, you can request an invite at www.medallion.fm. Our team will be in touch with you as soon as we can.

We are also rapidly growing our product and engineering teams. Please visit our jobs page if you’re interested in joining us.

MEDALLION TEAM

• Adam Ray (EVP): Songkick, Canyon Capital, Credit Suisse
• Derek Davies (President): Neon Gold Records, Pussy Riot
• Connor Martin (Protocol Lead): Uniswap Labs, Zerion
• Jesse Bellin (VP, Operations): Songkick, Bleacher Report, Live Nation
• Joe Hassick (Principal Engineer): Hearst Magazines, Rodale Inc.
• Joe Pitts (Director of Partnerships): Working on Dying, HalfGenius
• Josephine Yu (VP of Strategy): Instagram, Change.org, Wall Street Journal
• Matt Jones (CEO): Songkick, CrowdSurge, SPC Live
• Mark McIntyre (Chief Technology Officer): Songkick, Yahoo
• Nick Sanchez (VP of Product): Hearst Magazines, Say Media
• Roz Farrell (Community Manager): HIFI, Best Before
• Stephen Vallimarescu (Chief Strategy Officer): All Things Go, Songkick
• Vanessa Magos (VP, Business Development): VÉRITÉ, Pussy Riot