Client: Red Star Merchandise
Artist: Ben Folds
Product: NFC T-Shirt
What happened?
US artist Ben Folds and his team used ZATAP technology on an overstock T-shirt. They added the NFC tags post-production via heat transfer, created a simple fan experience (with the ZATAP Phygital Studio) that included a personal video from Ben, and re-released the NFC-enabled T-shirt.
Results
- T-shirt was sold for US$ 10 more than a regular T-shirt
- Part of the revenue went to charity for piano lessons to kids who don’t have access to music education or can’t afford it
- T-shirt became the best-selling merch item in Ben Folds’ shop
- Fans love the innovative product and shared it on socials (see comments)
Other Success Stories
Discover captivating narratives, innovative technologies, and the latest trends shaping the convergence of the
physical and digital realms.
Client: Universal Music Group Central Europe & CRO
Industry: Music & Entertainment
NFC Plush Drives Long-Term Engagement
CRO, one of the most successful German hip-hop artists of all time, used ZATAP’s technology for his "Crodies". These plush collectibles have a ZATAP NFC tag inside and come in six different colors. Each color represents a certain topic (i.e. red = "love", green = "hope", or purple = "joy") and each color gives buyers access to a unique experience.
Client: Sony Music Entertainment Germany & Clueso
Industry: Music & Entertainment
New Chart-Eligible Music Format – Mini NFC-Cassette
It looks like a small version of an old-school cassette and has a tiny NFC tag inside. When fans tap it with their smartphone, they instantly unlock a digital hub filled with content from the artist and the released album. This new music format has already been approved for the charts in Germany and the United Kingdom, US charts will follow soon.
Client: Warner Music France & Christopher Maé
Industry: Music & Entertainment
Why You Should Sell Cassettes in 2026
Fans received a bundle of a HOHNER harmonica and a physical cassette with an NFC tag embedded. But why are fans buying a cassette, assuming most of them don't own a cassette player anymore? Tapping the NFC tag with the smartphone unlocks exclusive studio videos and bonus tracks from the album Fête Foraine, turning this collectible into a living fan experience. The physical-digital connection transforms the act of owning music into an ongoing relationship between artist and fan.
