Tuned Global expands Social Radio with real-time tipping
Tuned Global has unveiled a major upgrade to its Social Radio platform with the introduction of real-time tipping, enabling fans to financially support artists, DJs, and creators during live streams. This new monetisation feature adds to Social Radio's interactive capabilities, allowing DSPs (digital streaming platforms) to integrate dynamic fan experiences while saving extensive development time and costs. Drawing inspiration from platforms like Twitch and TikTok, Tuned Global's latest innovation responds to growing industry demand for more immersive and participatory music streaming.
The Social Radio platform transforms traditional audio streams into live, fan-driven broadcasts. Listeners can join virtual rooms where hosts curate music, interact with fans, and now receive direct tips. With tipping rolling out in Q3 2025, fans will be able to reward their favourite streamers in real time, further strengthening the artist-fan connection. The SDK also supports features like live voice overlays, AI-assisted transitions via AutomixIQ, and instant audience interaction.
This update arrives at a time when DSPs are under increasing pressure to deliver social-first experiences that move beyond static listening. As Spotify's CEO recently highlighted, fostering meaningful artist-fan connections is becoming essential for platforms looking to stay competitive. Tuned Global's Social Radio offers a turnkey solution to meet this demand, blending monetisation, emotional engagement, and nuanced fan data into one powerful tool.
Con Raso, Tuned Global's Managing Director, explained: 'Social Radio turns static streams into the interactive experiences listeners now expect. Fans don't just want to listen; they want to participate, support, and belong. Social Radio turns a traditional streaming experience into something social, expressive, and monetisable. The platforms that move first will define the standard for what streaming looks like in the fan-driven era.'
At the core of Social Radio's evolution is Tuned Global's 2023 acquisition of AI music tech company Pacemaker. Its patented technologies, including the Recipe format and advanced backend infrastructure, now power the interactive features of Social Radio.
Jonas Norberg, Tuned Global's Head of AI and founder of Pacemaker, added: 'Pacemaker's patented Recipe format, proprietary backend, and advanced AI-driven mobile creation tool—with over 20 man-years of dedicated development—offer a market-proven solution that will save DSPs years of development time, significantly accelerating their entry into interactive audio experiences.'
Social Radio's unique data capabilities also offer streaming platforms a fresh way to understand user behaviour. Beyond measuring what was played, the platform captures emotional reactions, social sharing, and real-time engagement—insights that can enhance recommendation engines and help platforms foster deeper loyalty.
With strong global interest already emerging, particularly from regions where fan culture is deeply ingrained like Asia, Tuned Global is positioning Social Radio as the essential social layer for DSPs aiming to turn casual listeners into committed superfans. Upcoming updates include show replays, creator tools, and user follow options, further expanding the toolkit for platforms ready to embrace the next generation of music streaming.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
What's On
10 hours ago
- What's On
8 outrageous things inspired by Dubai Chocolate
It's inspired everything from beauty products to fashion statements that are as wild and unforgettable as the city itself. Dubai's own FIX Dessert Chocolatier the genius duo Sarah Hamouda and Yezen Alani behind the world-famous 'Original Dubai Chocolate' asked their followers one cheeky question 'What's the weirdest Dubai Chocolate-themed thing you've ever seen?' The answers? A wild ride of chocolatey, pistachio-dusted madness that you just have to see to believe. Welcome to the strange and sweet world of Dubai Chocolate-inspired creations. A chocolate kunafa hand wash It smells just like your favourite dessert but feels totally bizarre on your hands. 68% of people gave it a hard no and one fan even said, 'My hands said no thank you!' Clearly not everyone's favourite idea. A candle you'll want to eat These candles look like creamy whipped ganache in a jar that's so tempting, you might forget they're not food. Pro tip: Don't try to spoon it out. Image: Noon website The now-infamous Dubai Chocolate nails Glossy, gooey, and topped with real pistachios. This manicure is equal parts glamorous and nuts. Perfect for anyone craving a little extra sweetness on their fingertips. Image: TikTok The dress that broke the internet It's a bodycon covered in a grid pattern of baklava slices, a look that had everyone saying, 'Oh no, oh.' Definitely a dessert-inspired fashion statement like no other. Image: Etsy website A Dubai Chocolate burger Available in England, Egypt, and now Dubai. This bizarre burger combines chocolate and burger vibes in a way no one really asked for. We're still trying to figure out why. Dubai Chocolate hair dye Because why just eat chocolate when you can wear it? Imagine your hair smelling like a freshly baked patisserie. The good news is, it's definitely a conversation starter. The bad news? You'll need extra shampoo. Cocoa butter and kunafa shampoo Fancy rocking hair that smells like toasted kunafa? Surprisingly, 37% of people are into this bold and slightly wild scent that's equal parts delicious and daring. Dubai Chocolate perfume Yes, it's a thing, a sweet-smelling fragrance that'll make you smell like the entire dessert aisle, and guess what? 63% fans say they'd happily spritz this unique scent all day long. > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Campaign ME
3 days ago
- Campaign ME
IKEA showcases its ‘Everything Kitchen' with Memac Ogilvy, Bigfoot Films
To showcase its kitchen range, IKEA has partnered with Memac Ogilvy and Bigfoot Films to launch its latest campaign: An Everything Kitchen. Rolling out in the UAE, Oman and Qatar, the campaign aims to raise awareness of IKEA's kitchen solutions through gently encouraging consumers towards a kitchen revamp by recognising the significance of the room in every household. 'Our 'An Everything Kitchen' campaign celebrates the profound role the kitchen plays in our lives,' said Carla Klumpenaar, GM Marketing and Communications, IKEA UAE, Qatar, Egypt and Oman. Therefore, the creative brief mandated a campaign that tugged on the emotional heartstrings of consumers in the region, tapping into the insight that in every home, the kitchen holds more life than we give it credit for. 'Kitchen revamps are a key pillar of IKEA's business. However, redoing your entire kitchen is a decision never taken lightly,' said Moemen Metwally, Creative Director, Memac Ogilvy. 'The kitchen is a space that witnesses life's everyday moments, and reminds people of its emotional role in the home aimed to make the decision to renovate feel more meaningful,' Metwally said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by IKEA UAE (@ikeauae) More than 40 shots make up the campaign's minute-long film, each one capturing something your kitchen quietly witnesses. This includes the usual cooking and cleaning, but also equally usual: experimenting, debating, and sneaking around for midnight snacks. 'From the start, the tone was all about warmth – emotional, visual, and everything in between. A cozy voice-over pulled viewers in, while a DOP with a knack for heartfelt storytelling added layers of visual depth,' said Rania Salamé, Producer, Bigfoot Films. 'We made sure this one felt like home – literally,' she added. 'The kitchen was brought to life as a warm, everyday space that felt straight out of an IKEA catalog and someone's real life.' Salamé also attributed the campaign's final look to it's casting. 'Casting actors with genuine chemistry was key, so the story had that natural, 'yep, I've been there' kind of vibe. It was all about blending brand and heart without missing a beat,' she said. 'It's where life truly happens, in all its raw, beautiful glory. We hope this reminds people that an IKEA kitchen is designed to be a foundation for all those real, everyday moments that make a house a home,' Klumpenaar said. The campaign film is fast and energetic, with a touch of ASMR. 'It's designed to sit seamlessly within the social landscape, where most people look for ideas and make decisions,' Metwally explained. 'The pace, visuals, and sound all work together to feel native to platforms like Instagram and TikTok, making the content feel less like an ad and more like a moodboard.' 'An Everything Kitchen' aims to encapsulate all that a kitchen is, while appeasing the senses. Sometimes raw, sometimes beautiful, but always, always real. Credits: Brand: IKEA UAE GM Marketing: Carla Klumpenaar Regional Marketing Manager: Dina Sahhar Regional Communication Manager: Salama Ahmed Interior Design Manager: Binita Roychowdhury Regional Interior Design Leader: Luiza Jodziewicz Regional Interior Design Leader: Luiza Jodziewicz Regional Digital Marketing Leader: Jay Qudras Regional Marketing Specialist: Houda Sfar Regional Marketing Specialist: Mohamed Maihoob Advertising Agency: Memac Ogilvy, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Chief Creative Officer: Gautam Wadher Creative Director: Moemen El Siwi Senior Copywriter: Carl Khoury Senior Art Director: Alicia McBride Senior Art Director: Leomerish Leyco Head of Arabic: Shadi Kharmacho Content Manager: Ahmed Elbeshbishy Animator: Antonio Geagea Head of Social: Karl Hitti Social Director: Ahmed Nour Senior Social Account Manager: Yara Maalouf Senior Social Account Executive: Layan Abdo Managing Partner: Kevin Kurian Account Director: Ashleigh Morgan Senior Account Manager: Georges Enkiri Chief Strategy Officer: Mario Morby Senior Strategy Manager: Yasmina Raydan Production House: Bigfoot Films
Campaign ME
3 days ago
- Campaign ME
How MENA restaurants drive real engagement and decisions online?
Social media has become the first place to look before booking a table or placing an order. A Cropink study indicates that 72 per cent of people use social media to research restaurants, and 68 per cent check a restaurant's social media before visiting. Yes, TikTok and Reels recommendations work well here, and not only with Gen Zs. But why? Social media engagement is all about the relationships and trust that digital platforms can build, not simply about food photos. There are several benefits for restaurants that actively reply to reviews, answer enquiries, and facilitate online ordering. According to a recent study, 71 per cent of customers are more inclined to suggest a restaurant that provides easy ordering and prompt service. And here are other factors that drive real engagement in the MENA's F&B sector. The power of influencer recommendations One thing is clear: influencer marketing directly impacts people's dining decisions. For instance, 69 per cent of consumers claim that trusted online personas have an impact on their dining choices. In the Gulf, 80 per cent of GCC users visit restaurants after interacting with TikTok food content, according to the company's 'Anatomy of Appetite' promotion in Saudi Arabia. RiyadhGrub, a TikTok account devoted to Saudi Arabia's culinary sector, is one notable example of social media success. RiyadhGrub relies on cultural authenticity rather than the highly stylised 'influencer aesthetic'. It uses tight edits, sharp commentary, and a personable tone that appeals to Saudi youth between the ages of 18 and 34. The account has established itself as a reliable cultural translator through cuisine by showing neighbourhood restaurants, sharing their stories, and encapsulating the distinct spirit of Riyadh's streets. Effective content strategies for engagement But not all content on social media is made equal. Understanding which formats work best for MENA restaurants can create or break customer engagement. Variety is essential here. The research indicates that videos (26 per cent) and written articles (27 per cent) are two of the most engaging content formats. Instagram and TikTok dominate the visual landscape, so producing short-form videos and taking Pinterest-like photos are key. From chef interviews and brief dish demonstrations to behind-the-scenes kitchen scenes, visually storytelling encourages clicks, comments, and, above all, table reservations. Work local Working with local influencers is another strategy F&B venues could use, not only for exposure but also for credibility. For instance, restaurants can reach devoted fan audiences that already trust these voices by working with well-known food bloggers in Dubai or Jeddah. Venues can also reach extremely segmented audiences through targeted social media advertising. Serving the appropriate ad to the right customer at the right time is where MENA restaurants see a higher ROI, whether they are advertising a new brunch menu to millennials or promoting a seafood night to residents of coastal cities. Short, genuine content, particularly that which showcases employees' personalities, regional ingredients, or special offers, performs noticeably better than postings that are too polished or generic. A nicely planned food shot doesn't pique the interest of many places as much as sharing uncut kitchen footage from prep time. What's next for restaurants in MENA? AI is already changing how restaurants interact with their audience. The next big step for MENA restaurants is to integrate AI further into their operations and marketing strategies. For example, restaurants may adjust their menus, posting schedules, and promotional efforts by using predictive algorithms, which can forecast consumer behaviour. The most booming eateries in the MENA are those that view social media as an integral component of their brand experience. They invest in tools that make people's dining experience, tell stories, and modify their content formats according to what makes people click. And this goes beyond a clickbait hook or a title. By Alexander Ponomarev, CEO of Syrve MENA, Dubai-based all-in-one POS andrestaurant management solutions provider.
