MUZAK

"Founders of piped music and the science of how music affects the behavior of customers."
(Former motto): "Specialists in the physiological and psychological applications of music."

Founded by major general George O. Squier (1865-1934) as 'Wired Radio' in 1922, renamed 'Muzak' in 1934 (in reference to 'Kodak') and redeemed by Mood:Media™ (Canada) in 2011. Waddill Catchings succeeds to George O. Squier in 1934. In 1938, Muzak is briefly redeemed by Warner Brothers and in 1939 by William Benton. During the seventies, only seven of the largest U.S. companies do not subscribe to Muzak. In 2006, Muzak estimated its daily audience at 100 million people in over a dozen countries and had a database (called The Well) of over one and a half million titles.

[u]MUZAK is more than music...[/u]
Far more than a name, MUZAK has spearheaded the unique usage of music called [i]functional music[/i]. Since 1934, Muzak has pioneered and developed this sound method of humanizing man-made environments. More than eighty years of continuous research, testing and development have wrought Stimulus Progression, a practical, inexpensive system for the advancement of areas where people work, shop and recreate.

[u]MUSAK is different from entertainment music...[/u]
Using music as raw material, MUZAK specializes in psychological and physiological applications of music for non-entertainment functions. By its very nature, entertainment music requires active listening and intelligent involvement. Muzak is different; being specifically designed to function on a secondary level, it is [i]heard[/i] but not listened to.

[u]Arranging & Recording[/u]
MUZAK selects, arranges, and records its own music - specifically and exclusively for functional use. The distracting or irritating musical devices of ordinary entertainment music are avoided. MUZAK tapes new music continuously using top-name arrangers.

[u]Taping[/u]
Programs are recorded on 8-hour reels of tape in elaborate MUZAK studios. Rigid standards are maintained to insure crucial timing and crystal-clear sound. Over 600 quality control checks are made on each MUZAK tape.

[u]Transmission[/u]
MUZAK programs are transmitted from central studios via leased telephone lines or special FM facilities. Precise timing is assured by automated patented MUZAK tape reproducing units, accurate to within two seconds during any 8-hour period. In standard MUZAK operations, central studios play 3285 professional 8-hour tapes, per subscriber, over a three year period. That's 26,289 hours of fresh program every day.