The CEO and founder of 24-7 Entertainment, Frank Taubert, is stepping down from the top of the company after 15 years.
Today, 24-7 stands as a respected B2B music streaming technology provider, with offices in Germany, the UK and Scandinavia. But under Taubert’s management, it’s enjoyed a long history of pioneering in the digital music space.
Taubert struck one of the world’s first digital music subscription deals with a mobile telco when 24-7 teamed with Denmark’s TDC Play. Other notable achievements during his time at 24-7 included the launch of JUKE – the first streaming service to be directly targeted at the mainstream market rather than the so-called music ‘aficionado’.
During his tenure, 24-7 has been responsible for delivering more than one-and-a-half billion tracks to music fans across the world. The company also assisted corporate clients likes Tesco and 3 Hutchinson, as well as artists including Phil Collins, Madonna and Red Hot Chili Peppers, to set up their own digital music sales operations.
Taubert told friends and colleagues in a note yesterday: “It is with a mixture of sadness, pride and excitement that I am writing to let you know that after 15 years, I have stood down as CEO of 24-7 Entertainment, the company I co-founded 15 years ago in order to pursue some new opportunities in the digital media business.
“There is sadness, because it always a bittersweet moment when you have to let your ‘babies’ go, but there is also pride at the huge amount we achieved together at 24-7.
“Above all I am excited at being able to pursue full-time my interests both in angel investing and consulting a portfolio of digital media companies, although I am delighted to confirm that 24-7 Entertainment’s parent company Media-Saturn Holding have asked me to remain in an advisory capacity. It is exciting to be able to assist in the company’s future development.
“When I first told MSH of my decision to move on some months ago, it was an emotional moment, but when I look back over the past 15 years, my overwhelming emotion is one of pride. I have enjoyed an amazing journey at 24-7 and certainly when we began operations all those years ago, we would not have dreamt that we could accomplish so much.”
Prior to launching 24-7 Entertainment, Taubert worked for Magix Entertainment Products in Berlin as International Product Manager and before that, he spent many years working for BMG Entertainment in marketing, sales and multimedia in both the Munich and New York offices.
Erik Dibbern, formerly 24-7 CTO, will now step up to become the company’s CEO.
Added Taubert: “I am moving on at a time when 24-7 is on a high. We have now had three consecutive years of strong growth and in our fiscal year 2014, we achieved the highest revenue in our history. Our parent company is impressed with these developments.”
“Before I sign off, I would like to honour my dear friend Lars Mogensen on whose couch I wrote the business plan for 24-7 fifteen years ago. Lars significantly contributed to the initial funding of the company, he introduced me to Carl to co-found the business and then in 2001, passed away tragically in an airplane crash. Without him there would be no 24-7 Entertainment.
Thank you all again & farewell.”Music Business Worldwide
