Jingle Punks

Jingle Punks is a New York-based production music agency founded in 2008 by Jared Gutstadt and Dan Demole. Its catalog of over 400,000 tracks serves television networks, film studios, advertising agencies, and digital media platforms. In October 2024, Jingle Punks was acquired by Slipstream, positioning it within the largest global independent music licensing platform with a combined catalog of 650,000+ tracks.

How Jingle Punks Works

Jingle Punks provides three main services: catalog licensing, custom composition, and sonic branding.

1. Catalog licensing: Clients search the Jingle Player, a proprietary patented search interface, to find pre-cleared music from 400,000+ tracks. The Jingle Player allows searching by film reference, band reference, mood, or lyric content. No account is needed to preview music, but an account is required to download and license tracks.
2. Custom composition: For projects requiring original music, Jingle Punks produces custom scores, themes, and sound design through its creative services arm. The company has composed theme songs for shows including Pawn Stars and The Voice.
3. Sonic branding: Jingle Punks creates mnemonics, sonic logos, and brand identity soundscapes for advertising clients.

Licensing operates on two models:

• Pay-per-use (needledrop): Clients pay per track per use. Fees vary based on usage type (broadcast, digital, streaming, corporate, gaming, non-profit), project scope, and license duration.
• Blanket licensing: Clients pay for access to a range of tracks over a specified period, suitable for high-volume content producers.

There is no annual fee, subscription, or minimum spend associated with having an account. All downloaded tracks are broadcast-ready 48kHz WAVs or 128kbps MP3s, and stems are available for licensed tracks.

Real-World Example

A production company working on a reality TV series needs 30 music cues across a 10-episode season. They open a Jingle Punks account (free, no minimum spend) and search the Jingle Player by mood and tempo. They license 25 tracks from the existing catalog at needledrop rates and commission 5 custom cues through the creative services team.

For the catalog tracks, a typical needledrop fee for a TV placement ranges from $500 to $3,000 per use depending on the show's distribution and territory. The 25 catalog placements would cost approximately $12,500 to $75,000 total. The 5 custom cues would be priced separately based on composition scope and usage rights.

For artists in the Jingle Punks catalog, a single TV placement generates a 50/50 split of the sync fee. On a $2,000 placement, the artist receives $1,000 upfront plus the writer's share of performance royalties collected through their PRO. Jingle Punks collects the publisher's share.

Use our sync licensing fee calculator to estimate costs for different placement scenarios.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

Jingle Punks has historically been an accessible entry point for independent artists seeking sync placements. The company won ASCAP Film & TV Awards five years running (2010-2014) for scoring The Voice and composing the Pawn Stars theme. However, as of 2026, Jingle Punks is not accepting new artist submissions.

Key considerations for artists:

• Submission status: New artist submissions are currently closed. Existing roster artists can continue submitting new music. Monitor the Jingle Punks website for reopening announcements.
• Revenue split: Jingle Punks splits sync fees 50/50 with artists. The publisher's share of performance royalties goes to Jingle Punks; the writer's share goes to the artist. Register with a PRO to collect your writer's share.
• Slipstream ecosystem: The 2024 acquisition by Slipstream (founded by the same co-founders) means Jingle Punks tracks now sit within a 650,000+ track catalog. This could increase placement opportunities through Slipstream's broader client base.
• Catalog quality: Jingle Punks maintains editorial standards. Not all submitted music makes it into the catalog. Production quality, clear rights, and proper metadata are prerequisites.
• Stems and alternates: Having instrumental versions, stems, and alternate mixes ready increases placement chances. Music supervisors frequently request these.

For alternative sync licensing opportunities while Jingle Punks submissions are closed, read our guide on how to get your first sync license. You can also explore different licensing models in our article on sync licensing companies vs music libraries.

Ownership History and 2024 Acquisition

Jingle Punks has changed ownership several times since its 2008 founding:

• 2008: Founded by Jared Gutstadt and Dan Demole in New York City
• 2012: William Morris Endeavor acquired a majority stake
• 2015: Acquired by Ole Media Management (later renamed Anthem Entertainment)
• October 2024: Acquired by Slipstream, co-founded by the same Dan Demole

The Slipstream acquisition added Jingle Punks, 5 Alarm Music, and Cavendish Music to Slipstream's platform, creating the largest global independent music licensing platform with 650,000+ tracks. The deal was facilitated by Pollen Street Capital.

Jingle Punks maintains offices in New York, Toronto, Santa Monica, London, Sydney, and Melbourne.

Related Resources

• How to Get Your First Sync License - Step-by-step guide to landing sync placements
• Sync Licensing Companies vs Music Libraries - Comparing different licensing models
• Music Licensing Agreements: Types, Terms, and Red Flags - Understanding what rights you are granting
• Library Music and Production Music for Passive Income - Upfront payments vs royalty models
• Sync Licensing Fee Calculator - Estimate licensing costs for different placement types
• Jingle Punks Official Website - Browse the catalog and services