Benji Rogers is returning to PledgeMusic as a “volunteer strategic advisor and observer to the board” as the music crowdfunding platform continues to struggle to pay artists monies pledge to by their fans. In keeping with the sincerity and openness that has made him a popular figure in music tech, Rogers has penned an open to PledgeMusic artists and fans.
Full text of Rogers’ new open letter:
To the PledgeMusic Artists and Fans.
I would like to pick up from where I left off in my previous post. I have agreed, on a short-term basis, to return to PledgeMusic as a volunteer strategic advisor and observer to the board. I will remain as full time CSO to Dot Blockchain Media and I am grateful to my amazing DotBC team for their understanding and patience.
I have been in discussions with the management team and board of Pledge over the last few days and I am convinced that they are committed to fixing the artists payments situation as their first priority. I have seen first hand how tirelessly the team, management and board have been working to right the ship and that is why I have agreed to help where I can.
The first priority for the company is to sort the back payments issue as every penny that is owed to artists needs to get to them in the fastest possible time. A more detailed plan will be shared with the community shortly.
Secondly all funds coming into the company from now on will be managed by an independent third party (to be named soon) so as to ensure that all campaigns that launch going forward, will be paid upon their campaign milestones being reached. The specifics of this will be detailed in the aforementioned forthcoming announcement.
Thirdly I will work with the team to ensure that there is a go forward plan that includes and listens to the incredible community of artists and fans that we created. Once we are through our first two priorities we will work on the third.
The PledgeMusic community of fans and artists have always been its lifeblood and are also therefore its future. As such my focus will be on the go forward plan, as this will be the best way to ensure that every penny gets to those who have been affected.
I will do all in my power to help the team bring this to a successful conclusion for the artists and fans as quickly as is possible. I am deeply sorry to those of you who have been affected by this.
Thanks
Benj
MORE: PledgeMusic Co-Founder Benji Rogers Returns As Advisor, Promises 3rd Party Financial Oversight