Deezer is first of all the story of a music “re-inventing” website, set up by its two young founders Daniel Marhely and Jonathan Benassaya.
Having launched a first music playing website called Blogmusik, voluntarily closed due to a music market in turmoil, they decided to implement their business model by negotiating with the major music rights owners. For the first time, in a move that made perfect sense, they signed an agreement with French royalty collecting agencies SACEM and SESAM on 22 August 2007. On the same date, the first French unlimited access, free and legal music playing website was launched.
Deezer.com was born. The concept is simple: To offer, free of charge and legally, all kinds of music, from rock to hip-hop, jazz, electro and world music… While at the same time, artists and rights owners receive a share of advertising revenue. Deezer has been highly successful due to its innovative offering and philosophy, which was widely hailed by the press. Less than two months after its launch, Deezer announced the acquisition of the catalogues of leading major and independent record companies: Sony BMG, Because Music, Believe… On 14 May 2008, the website announced the signing of an international agreement with the giant Universal Music.
The adventure continues, as the number of Deezer users increases with every passing day. In order to develop the offering more rapidly and implement its development strategy, the website decided to launch its own community network and expand its universe.
- Choose the music you want to listen to, with just one click and in real time from among 2.5 million songs.
- Access theme radios: Hip Hop, Rock, Electro, Jazz, Live, French music, Disco…
- Browse smart radios
- Keep updated on artists, albums, songs
- Share your play lists, tastes and musical moods with your friends through the Deezer users’ community
- Listen to all new releases with unlimited access
- Create your own musical world and sound atmosphere
- Help discover new talent…
- Download and store your own MP3
Such is Deezer’s offer, and it’s only the beginning...
It is therefore no surprise that Deezer was voted the most innovative website of 2007 by 01Net readers, ahead of Facebook and Dailymotion. Deezer was also awarded a 2008 Red Herring, which lists the 100 most innovative European start ups. Deezer owes its existence to its loyal Deezer users, more than 2 million to date and 5.5 million unique visitors a month worldwide. Meeting all their needs in real time is the Deezer team’s priority, due to the changing nature of musical habits. Deezer is also your space, we wish to develop it with your help and, thanks to you, write the rest of the story…
DANIEL MARHELY, FOUNDER and CTO
Daniel Marhely, a 23 year old self-made man and proud of it, left school at 16 years of age to focus on his passion for the online world.
In 2000, he headed the web section of the Agrafe communication agency.
In 2002, he decided to exclusively focus on web development.
Two years later, he co-founded the dating website Lovelee.com.
In 2006, he co-founded the company Alyza Medias. At the same time, he was exchanging music with his friends, a lot of music with a lot of friends… the desire to share his musical passions, tastes and moods arose. He started the Blogmusik.net project, a music playing website, in partnership with Jonathan Benassaya, whom he had met at the same time. At that time, the website did not meet with Sacem’s approval, due to the market crisis. Our two kamikazes decided to close Blogmusik and to negotiate with rights owners. On 22 August 2007, a first ground breaking agreement was signed with royalty collecting agencies. Blogmusik was reborn under the name of Deezer.com. The first French free and legal on demand music listening website was set up.
His motto is: « Never without my wifi even when I am in the bath! »
His favourite Deezer album is : Daft Punk Alive 2007
JONATHAN BENASSAYA, CO FOUNDER CHAIMAN CEO
A 27 year old, corporate finance graduate from Essec and a graduate from ESAM,
Jonathan Benassaya started his career in business in an investment bank. Weary of mergers and acquisitions, he founded Connect’in Advertising in 2005, an online video game advertising agency, which became Magic Party in 2006.
To this end, he left France for Beijing and Shanghai to develop his business, which he eventually decided to sell.
On his return, he meet his future associate Daniel Marhely. Together they developed the online music website Blogmusik.net. At that time, the music market was in deep crisis, unsettled by illegal downloading and falling record sales. In April 2007, the two young entrepreneurs thus decided to put Blogmusik on hold to legalise their project and negotiate with Sacem and Sesam, before relaunching the site under the name of Deezer.com.
Jonathan was voted one of the top ten personalities of 2007 by Musique Info Hebdo. It is therefore no coincidence that this ambitious, enthusiastic young man was named Marketing Man of 2008 by Marketing Magazine.
His motto is: « My only limit is that which I set for myself »
His favourite Deezer album is : The space between us by Craig Armstrong