# IRIS Distribution > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/IRIS_Distribution > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/IRIS_Distribution.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRIS_Distribution > Source revision: 1345869330 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) **IRIS Distribution** ( for **Independent Recording Industry Services**) was a digital music distribution and marketing firm based in [San Francisco](/source/San_Francisco). Co-founded by Matt Laszuk (CEO), Bryn Boughton (CMO) and Eric Ferraro (General Counsel) in 2003, IRIS distributed [digital music](/source/Digital_audio), [ringtones](/source/Ringtone), and [video](/source/Video) to over 450 digital retailers in over 85 countries. It also promoted label catalogs through various outlets, including social networking sites, [newsletters](/source/Newsletter), and label profiles. The company offered technical, [marketing](/source/Marketing), and legal services to independent artists and labels from all genres. Artists distributed by IRIS included [She Wants Revenge](/source/She_Wants_Revenge), [Le Tigre](/source/Le_Tigre), [Lou Reed](/source/Lou_Reed), and [Mogwai](/source/Mogwai). IRIS Distribution was acquired by [The Orchard](/source/The_Orchard_(company)), a division of Sony in 2012.[1] ## History In 2003, after the launch of [Apple](/source/Apple_Inc.)'s [iTunes](/source/ITunes) digital music store, IRIS Distribution was founded to support independent labels entering the digital marketplace. IRIS began as a co-op for independent artists, but soon became a distribution company specializing in facilitating [negotiations](/source/Negotiation) between retail services and independent labels. IRIS Distribution's first [digital distribution](/source/Digital_distribution) deals were with Force Inc. and Megaforce Records.[2] It added more labels in 2005.[3] IRIS launched a [podcast](/source/Podcast) with [Live365](/source/Live365) in 2005.[4] In 2007, IRIS launched BlinkerActive, a dedicated marketing arm devoted to music promotion and branded entertainment. Some of BlinkerActive's clients included Scion/Toyota, Ninja Tune, Chemikal Underground, Surfdog Records, BYO Records, and Mack Avenue Records. IRIS reported strong growth and profitability in 2008.[5] IRIS Distribution placed twice in The National Association of Record Industry Professionals’ poll, Best In The Biz (2009);[6] IRIS placed second in the ‘Best Digital Distribution Company’ category, and Bryn Boughton as ‘Top New Media Representative.’ In May 2012 [New York City](/source/New_York_City)-based digital distributor [The Orchard](/source/The_Orchard_(company)) acquired IRIS Distribution. This consolidation came only two months after The Orchard had merged with IODA Distribution.[1] ## Labels distributed by IRIS This is not a complete list. - +1 Music - AGF Producktion - Affluent Records - [Ant Zen](/source/Ant_Zen) / Salt - [Beta-lactam Ring Records](/source/Beta-lactam_Ring_Records) - [Big Dada](/source/Big_Dada) - [Chemikal Underground](/source/Chemikal_Underground) - Coco Machete Records - [Duck Down Records](/source/Duck_Down_Records) - Gemini Sun Records - [Hefty Records](/source/Hefty_Records) - [Hymen Records](/source/Hymen_Records) - Konfort Records - [Kranky](/source/Kranky_(record_label)) - [K Records](/source/K_Records) - [Megaforce Records](/source/Megaforce_Records) - [Minus Records](/source/Minus_Records) - [Mutek](/source/Mutek) - [Monolake](/source/Monolake) Records - [Moodgadget](/source/Moodgadget) Records - [Ninja Tune Records](/source/Ninja_Tune_Records) - [Palmetto Records](/source/Palmetto_Records) - [Projekt Records](/source/Projekt_Records) - [Seed Records](/source/Seed_Records) - Static Discos Records - Wednesday Records - YouRelease Distribution ## References 1. Peoples, Glenn (9 May 2012). ["Exclusive: The Orchard Acquires IRIS Distribution"](http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/indies/1096900/exclusive-the-orchard-acquires-iris-distribution). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved 31 October 2024. 1. Morris, Chris. "Burnside Dials Up Online Solution For Its Labels." [Billboard Magazine](/source/Billboard_magazine). December, 2003. 1. ["Leading Independent Record Labels Select IRIS Distribution for Music Distribution to Digital Retailers"](http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leading-independent-record-labels-select-iris-distribution-for-music-distribution-to-digital-retailers-75123127.html). IRIS Distribution. [PR Newswire](/source/PR_Newswire). 23 June 2004. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233723/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leading-independent-record-labels-select-iris-distribution-for-music-distribution-to-digital-retailers-75123127.html) 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 31 October 2024. 1. ["IRIS Distribution Teams Up With Live365 for Inaugural SPOTcast"](http://www.irisdistribution.com/press/Live365Podcast.pdf). IRIS Distribution. 11 July 2005. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20060519005814/http://www.irisdistribution.com/press/Live365Podcast.pdf) 19 May 2006 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 31 October 2024. 1. [IRIS Distribution Sees Strong Growth and Profitability In 2008; Outlook Bright For 2009](http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2009/1/prweb1868534.php)[dead link] 1. [NARIP's 2009 Best In The Biz Winners.](http://www.narip.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=614&Itemid=1) Retrieved 2009-08-17. ## External links - [IRIS Distribution](http://www.irisdistribution.com/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090913011750/http://www.irisdistribution.com/) 2009-09-13 at the Wayback Machine - [BlinkerActive](http://www.blinkeractive.com/) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [IRIS Distribution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRIS_Distribution) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRIS_Distribution?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.