Imagine walking into a store where the background music and audio advertisements are not just random tunes and generic promotions but are tailored to real-time conditions like local pricing, inventory, and even the weather. This scenario is not far-fetched, thanks to Qsic, a martech company that began its journey as a music streaming service in 2012. Founded in Melbourne and currently headquartered in Dallas, Qsic is revolutionizing in-store audio advertising with cutting-edge AI technology. Recently, the company secured $25 million in Series B funding, led by Hedosophia, to enhance its product development, expand its sales team, and equip North American stores with 70,000 speakers over the coming year.
Qsic’s AI-powered platform has already made significant inroads into prominent retail locations like 7-Eleven, McDonald’s, and Coles Express, reaching around 100 million shoppers monthly. Their generative AI, named Lucy, creates custom audio advertisements that adjust dynamically based on various factors in real time. For instance, if the weather turns cold, Lucy might promote hot beverages or warm clothing. If inventory levels are high for certain products, those items might be featured in the audio ads. This ability to generate contextually relevant content not only enhances the customer experience but also drives advertising effectiveness by targeting the right messages at the right times.
In 2021, Qsic raised $4 million in a Series A round led by Carthona Capital, laying the groundwork for its current expansion. Notable milestones include a five-year partnership with Coles Express and the implementation of “Gulp Radio” in 12,000 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores across the U.S. by 2025. The recent influx of funds aims to further solidify these achievements, enabling Qsic to innovate even more and deliver measurable results for its global retail partners and brands.
According to CEO Matt Elsley, the demand for Qsic’s technology is robust, and there are ambitious plans to accelerate development. By expanding their network and enhancing technological capabilities, Qsic aims to remain at the forefront of merging technology with in-store customer engagement. The company’s recent funding round will facilitate this rapid growth, making it possible to deploy advanced audio solutions that not only captivate shoppers but also drive sales. As Qsic continues to expand its footprint, it stands poised to reshape the landscape of retail audio advertising, setting new standards for how businesses connect with their customers through sound.
