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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Important 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.
Company Type and Business Model
Jingle Punks is a production music agency and custom music studio. It is not a royalty-free marketplace or subscription platform. The company operates as a full-service music licensing and production agency, combining a pre-cleared catalog with custom composition and sonic branding services.
The company provides three main services:
- Catalog licensing: Clients search the Jingle Player (a proprietary, patented search interface) to find pre-cleared music from 400,000+ tracks. Search by film reference, band reference, mood, or lyric content.
- Custom composition: Original scores, themes, and sound design for TV, film, advertising, and gaming. The company composed theme songs for Pawn Stars and The Voice.
- Sonic branding: Mnemonics, sonic logos, and brand identity soundscapes for advertising clients.
Licensing Model: Pay-Per-Use and Blanket
Jingle Punks uses two licensing models:
| Model | Description | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Pay-per-use (needledrop) | Fee per track per use, based on usage type and territory | Single placements in TV episodes, ads, or digital content |
| Blanket licensing | Fee for access to a range of tracks over a specified period | High-volume content producers (TV networks, production companies) |
| Custom composition | Project-based pricing | Original themes, scores, and sonic branding |
There is no annual fee, subscription, or minimum spend for account holders. All downloaded tracks are broadcast-ready 48kHz WAVs or 128kbps MP3s. Stems are available for licensed tracks.
Catalog Size and Genre Coverage
Jingle Punks' catalog contains over 400,000 tracks. Following the October 2024 acquisition by Slipstream, the combined platform offers 650,000+ tracks. Genres include pop, rock, hip-hop, orchestral, electronic, and indie. The catalog is continuously updated with new albums.
Who Buys from Jingle Punks
Jingle Punks' clients are professional media producers and networks:
- TV networks: Viacom, Bravo TV, NBC (The Voice), BET
- TV production companies: Shows including Pawn Stars, Top Gear USA, Real Housewives of Atlanta, American Pickers
- Advertising agencies worldwide: Brands including BMW, Fandango, Smirnoff, Vaseline, Red Bull
- Digital media platforms: YouTube Originals (Step Up: High Water), Netflix (Spy Kids: Mission Critical)
- Sports organizations: Miami Marlins (theme song by DJ Khaled)
- Gaming studios: Custom composition and sound design
How Jingle Punks Pays Artists
Jingle Punks splits sync fees 50/50 with artists. Here is the payment structure:
| Payment Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Sync fee split | 50% to artist, 50% to Jingle Punks |
| Writer's share of performance royalties | Goes to the artist (via their PRO registration) |
| Publisher's share of performance royalties | Goes to Jingle Punks (as publisher) |
| Upfront fees | None for catalog inclusion. Custom composition fees are project-based. |
| Buyout arrangements | Not standard. Artists retain writer's share. |
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. All music in the system is automatically registered with worldwide PROs.
Jingle Punks vs. Competitors
| Feature | Jingle Punks | Extreme Music | Music Dealers | Marmoset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Agency + catalog | Premium library | Agency + catalog | Curated library |
| Catalog size | 400,000+ (650,000+ via Slipstream) | 150,000+ | 100,000+ | 25,000+ |
| Custom composition | Yes | Yes (Bleeding Fingers) | Yes | Limited |
| Sonic branding | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Artist sync split | 50/50 | Negotiated | 50/50 | 50/50 |
| Open submissions | Closed (as of 2026) | No | No | Selective |
| Parent company | Slipstream | Sony Music Publishing | Independent | Independent |
| Typical TV placement | $500 to $3,000 | $1,500 to $5,000 | $300 to $1,500 | $500 to $2,500 |
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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
Similar Sync Licensing Companies
- Slipstream - Parent company since October 2024, with combined 650,000+ track catalog
- Extreme Music - Premium production music library under Sony Music Publishing
- APM Music - Large US production music library with similar TV and advertising client base
- Music Dealers - Another agency-model licensing company with custom composition services
- Marmoset - Curated library with artist-friendly splits
- Riptide Music Group - Agency combining catalog licensing with custom music services
