Crunch Digital and Pathfinder Royalties Announce Strategic Collaboration to Power Next-Generation Music Technology Solutions
Los Angeles, CA (November 12, 2025)
Crunch Digital and Pathfinder Royalties today announced a strategic collaboration that unites two of the industry’s most respected music-technology companies. Together, they bring decades of collective experience in music clearance, reporting, licensing, and analytics to develop next-generation solutions that meet the evolving needs of the global music marketplace.
This partnership allows both companies to continue focusing on their core strengths while seamlessly integrating complementary technologies to better serve their clients. Through this alliance, clients of either company will gain access to a broader range of services—from real-time rights clearance to robust royalty data reporting—delivered with the precision, scale, and reliability both organizations are known for.
“Mike and I bumped into each other at a music conference earlier this year and started talking about what each of our companies was doing,” said Keith Bernstein, Founder of Crunch Digital. “I realized quickly that while there are some areas where we could be competitive, there were far more where we could collaborate to deliver stronger, more comprehensive solutions for the marketplace. Between our two teams, we have unparalleled experience in rights data, reporting, and technology—and a shared commitment to solving real problems.”
Mike Shanley, Founder of Pathfinder Royalties, added: “When I first spoke with Keith, I saw the same thing—there’s overlap, yes, but also incredible synergy. Both companies are working on independent initiatives that, when combined, create real value for clients. Our collaboration lets us leverage each other’s strengths and technology while still allowing clients to work through a single point of contact.”
As part of this collaboration, both companies will jointly develop products and integrate select technologies to deliver top-tier, market-ready solutions. Each company will remain independent but will work together behind the scenes whenever collaboration enhances a client’s results.
The first Pathfinder-led initiative is the release of a comprehensive DDEX reporting solution, now market-ready and designed to address the industry’s growing need for accuracy and transparency in digital exchange reporting.
The first Crunch Digital-led initiative is a new version of its Tempo platform, designed to provide real-time access to ownership, clearance, and composition data for millions of sound recordings.
The new Tempo platform enables integration directly into client dashboards, giving companies the ability to embed verified rights data and publisher ownership details into their own products and workflows.
Additional joint product initiatives are already in development, with the first round of co-developed solutions planned for rollout in 2026. Both companies have expressed confidence that their combined expertise will address key challenges where others have struggled to deliver.
“I’ve always admired what Keith and his team have accomplished with Crunch Digital,” Shanley said. “I’m excited about this collaboration—it’s practical, it’s powerful, and it’s exactly what this industry needs right now.”
Bernstein added: “Mike has been a driving force behind data and reporting innovations for years. He’s a remarkable talent and a great partner. I’m thrilled about what we’re building together and how it will elevate the way music data and royalties are managed across the industry.”
About Crunch Digital
Crunch Digital is a leading music technology company specializing in music rights clearance, reporting, and royalty data management. Its platforms and services enable efficient and compliant worldwide reporting and rights clearance across digital, social, and in-flight entertainment environments, helping labels, publishers, and tech platforms streamline their music rights operations.
About Pathfinder Royalties
Pathfinder Royalties builds advanced data and workflow systems for global music rights management. Leveraging deep expertise in DDEX standards, metadata normalization, and large-scale claims processing, Pathfinder powers accurate royalty reporting between rights holders, publishers, and digital music services. Its technology and consulting services help clients modernize their royalty infrastructure, reduce errors, and unlock faster, more reliable settlements worldwide.