Hooks Unlimited

What Hooks Unlimited does

Hooks Unlimited is a privately-held, US-based provider of broadcast music research hooks and perceptual research montages for radio stations and broadcast research firms worldwide. Founded in 1987 in Columbia, Missouri and relocated to Atlanta, Georgia in 2003 under the leadership of President Michael Pelaia, the company operates as a virtual micro-organization (1-10 employees) with a mailing address in Atlanta. Its core offering centers on producing standardized ~8-second music hooks drawn from a proprietary library of over 200,000 titles, sourced exclusively from CD Audio or high-quality digital files rather than mp3 or pirated sources, enabling consistent cross-project trending for music research.

The company's technical platform is anchored by HookSelect, a cloud-based software application that allows customers to browse, sort, filter, optimize, and submit hook lists without local software installation. The platform supports PC, Mac, tablet, and smartphone clients and integrates via API with downstream research and scheduling tools (Mediascore's ListenerSurvey, Integr8 Research, MusicMaster, and Selector). Production services span music test hooks, perceptual montages, callout hooks for new music research, custom audio/video production, and international projects with voice announcements in 18 different languages.

Revenue is generated through two streams: (1) professional services for custom hook and montage production, priced via quote-based engagement handled directly by Michael Pelaia, and (2) subscription-based access to the HookSelect software and hook catalog. The go-to-market is hybrid: enterprise research firms (Coleman Insights, Edison Research, Strategic Solutions Research, among others) and radio stations are served via direct B2B sales, while smaller and consultant users can self-register and self-serve on HookSelect. Customer acquisition is driven heavily by referral dynamics through the broadcast research ecosystem and presence at industry events such as Radio Days Europe and the Worldwide Radio Summit.

Name

Hooks Unlimited

Legal name

Hooks Unlimited Corp

Website

https://hooks.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hooks Unlimited provides standardized broadcast music research hooks, perceptual montages, and cloud-based HookSelect software to radio stations and broadcast research firms globally, drawing from a proprietary 200,000+ title lossless audio catalog.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Broadcast Music Research Services

NAICS

Sound Recording Industries (5122), Sound Recording Studios (51224), Software Publishers (513210)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Sample Libraries, Loops & Sound Content Platforms (MPAIAIAF)

Keywords

• Music research hooks
• Broadcast audio production
• Perceptual research services
• Radio market research
• Music test montages

Headquarters

HQ city

Decatur

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Music Hook Production Services: Custom production of music test hooks, perceptual montages, callout hooks, and custom audio/video production for radio stations and research firms. Services delivered in various formats including web links, digital files, CD, and cassette
2. HookSelect Software Subscription: Cloud-based HookSelect software for building and managing hook lists. Provides access to 200,000+ titles, list optimization tools, and integration with research workflows

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hooks Unlimited produces broadcast-quality music research hooks (short audio clips averaging 8 seconds) and perceptual montages for radio stations and broadcast research firms worldwide. The company curates a proprietary library of over 200,000 titles and delivers hooks in multiple formats (web links, digital audio files, CDs, cassettes) for music testing, callout research, format evaluation, and international perceptual studies. Its HookSelect cloud platform and API services enable customers to build, optimize, and stream hook lists independently.

Product overview

Hooks Unlimited provides a portfolio of music research services for the broadcast market. The core offering centers on Music Test Hooks and Perceptual Montages (audio segments for radio format research), supplemented by New Music Research (callout), Custom Production (audio/video), and International services. HookSelect serves as the primary software platform for hook selection and list management, while Web Integration (API Services) enables technical connectivity for customers building custom integrations. The company operates from a library of over 200,000 titles delivered across multiple formats (web links, digital files, CD, cassette).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HookSelect: Cloud-based hook selection software program that provides access to over 200,000 titles for building music test lists. Features include sorting by artist/title, filtering by format and era, list optimization, duplicate removal, and integration with research systems.

Products and services

• Music Test Hooks Broadcast quality music research hooks delivered in multiple formats including web links to cloud-based hooks, digital audio files, full digital productions, music hooks on CD, and cassettes. Hooks average 8 seconds in length and are produced from CD Audio or high quality digital files for radio stations and research firms conducting music testing.
• Perceptual Montages Expertly crafted research montages that create tight, cohesive representations of radio formats using proprietary tools. Designed to meet exact requirements of research firms and delivered in required audio formats for perceptual research studies.
• New Music Research (Callout) Callout song hooks for new music research supporting traditional telephone-based, web/mobile enabled, or station website poll formats. Integrated with ListenerSurvey and Integr8 Research services for streamlined survey setup.
• Custom Production Custom audio and video production services including custom introductions, special instructions for music productions, focus group and 1-on-1 audio or video editing, and PowerPoint presentations.
• International International music services featuring the largest library of music hooks in global formats with voice announcements available in 18 different languages. Supports custom language and dialect requirements for international music research.
• HookSelect Cloud-based hook selection software that provides access to over 200,000 music titles. Allows users to build, optimize, and manage song lists for music research with features including filtering by format and year, import/export capabilities, duplicate removal, sort by artist/title, statistics on song frequency, and integrated hook streaming with play buttons.
• Web Integration (API Services) HookSelect Connectivity Services API enabling direct integration with customers' existing systems, allowing streaming of hooks on their own websites for song research purposes. Custom solutions developed with enterprise customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hooks tested from project-to-project are consistent to allow for easy trending
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Mediascore ListenerSurveycoreTechnology or IntegrationDirect integration with Mediascore's ListenerSurvey service providing easy-to-set-up built-in hook access for launching surveys with just a few clicks. This partnership enables seamless music research workflows for radio stations using the ListenerSurvey platform.
• Integr8 ResearchcoreTechnology or IntegrationConnected to Integr8 Research's service for music hook integration. Hooks are connected to Integr8's service enabling streamlined music research for stations using this platform.
• MusicMastercoreTechnology or IntegrationMusicMaster has built a specific export function into their music scheduling software allowing customers to easily import song categories into HookSelect with a few clicks. This integration streamlines list building for MusicMaster users.
• Coleman InsightsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading broadcast research firm and key customer. David Baird, VP of Research Operations, has worked with Hooks Unlimited for nearly 15 years. Hooks Unlimited supplies thousands of music montages for their Plan Developers and millions of hooks for FACTSM Strategic Music Tests. Also partnered for streaming MP3 hooks for FACT360SM online music tests.
• Edison ResearchflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor research firm and key customer. Melissa DeCesare, VP, has praised Hooks Unlimited's top-notch customer service, timeliness, and attention to detail.
• Strategic Solutions ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term customer partnership. Hal Rood, Partner, has used Hooks Unlimited for research as long as he can remember, citing no mistakes, attention to specific requirements, and always on time delivery.
• Mark Ramsey MediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRadio consulting firm led by Mark Ramsey. References Hooks Unlimited's service as getting jobs done well, right, and fast. Listed in industry links as partner.
• Berkowitz Broadcast ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBroadcast consulting firm led by Gary Berkowitz. Calls Hooks Unlimited his #1 choice for hook production, citing 25+ years of easy, stress-free experiences with great-sounding hooks.
• Mega Hits (Portugal)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Portuguese radio station. Ana Margarida Rosa, Coordenadora Musical, credits Hooks Unlimited with solving concerns about hook timing, perfect sound, and smooth flow for music tests. Super attentive team always available for help with tight schedules.
• Grupo R/Com (Portugal)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortuguese media group. Joao Porto, Marketing Estratégico, reports very positive experience and notes continuous improvement and innovation in customer service year after year.
• Advantage Music ResearchcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed in Industry Links as a research firm partner. Works with radio stations on music research projects.
• Harker ResearchcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed in Industry Links as a research firm partner serving radio stations.
• P1 Media GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed in Industry Links as a research firm partner serving radio stations.
• Paragon Media StrategiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed in Industry Links as a research firm partner serving radio stations.
• Signal Hill InsightscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed in Industry Links as a research firm partner serving radio stations.
• Radio Days EuropeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor European radio industry conference. Listed as a conference supporter/partner.
• Worldwide Radio SummitminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal radio industry summit. Listed as a conference supporter/partner.
• Jacobs MediacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed in Industry Links as a consultant partner serving radio stations.
• McVay/Cook AssociatescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed in Industry Links as a consultant partner serving radio stations.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Audacy (formerly Entercom/CBS Radio): Major US radio broadcaster and likely end customer for broadcast music research services. Comparable as a buyer of hook-based research in the same downstream market Hooks Unlimited serves.
• Triton Digital: Digital audio and podcast measurement/analytics provider serving broadcasters and audio publishers. Comparable as a broader audio research and analytics incumbent whose audience measurement workflows overlap with Hooks Unlimited's broadcast research end market.
• RCS (Radio Computing Services): Long-established broadcast software vendor providing music scheduling, traffic, and on-air solutions to radio stations worldwide. Comparable as a broader B2B software provider to the same radio station buyer that Hooks Unlimited serves, with overlapping workflow integration potential.
• Nielsen Audio (formerly Arbitron): Dominant US radio audience measurement and ratings provider and former employer of Hooks Unlimited's president. While not a direct hook producer, Nielsen Audio sets the broader research workflow and tooling standard that Hooks Unlimited's customers (and Hooks Unlimited itself) operate within.

Direct peers

• Coleman Insights: Strategic music research firm serving radio broadcasters with perceptual studies, music tests, and FACT360 online research. Direct customer of Hooks Unlimited for ~15 years and operates in the same radio broadcast research workflow where Hooks Unlimited's hooks are a production input.
• MusicMaster: Music scheduling software widely used by US radio stations and a formal integration partner of Hooks Unlimited. Comparable as a radio-focused SaaS vendor whose customers consume Hooks Unlimited's hooks as part of music research.
• Strategic Solutions Research: Radio-focused market research firm that has used Hooks Unlimited "as long as I can remember." Operates in the same radio broadcast research segment and consumes hooks as core production input.
• Mediascore / ListenerSurvey: Provides online music and listener research tools (ListenerSurvey) with a built-in hook integration to Hooks Unlimited. Comparable as a technology provider in the same radio research workflow and direct API integration partner.
• Integr8 Research: Online music research platform connected to Hooks Unlimited's hooks for survey deployment. Comparable as a B2B research tooling vendor serving the same radio broadcaster customer base.
• Edison Research: Major US media research firm producing audience and music research, including for radio. Long-standing Hooks Unlimited customer using its hooks for music research projects; comparable as a B2B research provider in the same audio/broadcast research ecosystem.

Market position

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hooksunlimited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hooks Unlimited