GameBeat Studios successfully transitions into admusic while keeping a stake in video games

As video games have shifted away from original scores and toward licensed music from established artists, seven-year-old Matteson-based music house GameBeat Studios has moved into the admusic world.

It’s a transition that’s paid off for GameBeat president Darryl Duncan. “I’m thrilled that I get to use my background as a songwriter more,” he said.

“Advertising incorporates vocal tracks along with the melodies, a lot more than games did,” said Duncan, who wrote songs for R. Kelley, Chaka Khan and Earth, Wind and Fire as a staff writer for Warner Music and A&M.

Two years into their transition, GameBeat boasts a client roster that includes McDonald’s, Toyota, Sears, Charmin, and Wal-Mart.