Sonopress and its partner companies ZATAP from Winterthur, Switzerland, and Informa Music & Media from Gütersloh are working together to make the “Smart Media Album” available to more artists, labels and music fans. As the Bertelsmann Marketing Services company and manufacturer of physical music products announced, the format combines a physical music product with an exclusive digital experience, giving fans new ways to immerse themselves in an artist’s world.
Videos, bonus tracks, artwork and personal messages
The “Smart Media Album” contains an NFC chip. By tapping the chip with their smartphone, fans can access an exclusive digital experience. Depending on the release, this may include music as well as exclusive videos, bonus tracks, artwork, personal messages and other content. Artists and labels also gain a direct, measurable connection with fans who have purchased a physical product, and can see how they engage with the exclusive content. In addition, the “Smart Media Album” is chart-eligible in Germany, the UK and, as of October 2026, the US.
The three companies bring together complementary expertise: Sonopress’ experience in media manufacturing, ZATAP’s NFC technology for digital experiences, and Informa Music & Media’s expertise in the production and packaging of physical music products.
“A direct, measurable connection with their fans”
“The ‘Smart Media Album’ combines the distinctive appeal of a physical music product with digital content that brings fans closer to an artist’s world. Together with ZATAP and Informa Music & Media, we want to work towards making this format available to more artists and labels across Europe and the US,” says Sven Deutschmann, Managing Director of Sonopress.
David Geisser, Co-Founder and CEO of ZATAP, adds: “For fans, a physical album is a way of showing their commitment to the artists they love. With the ‘Smart Media Album’, this collectible becomes a direct gateway to the artist’s world with a single tap. It also gives labels a direct, measurable connection with their fans. In Sonopress and Informa Music & Media, we have found partners who manufacture physical music products to the highest quality standards and at scale.”
