Spotify’s head for Australia and New Zealand exits

Spotify’s managing director for Australia and New Zealand is stepping down. Karen Lawson took on the role last June, and has not shared reasons for her departure. She is the third executive to take the helm of Spotify’s Australia/New Zealand operations since the company rolled out there in 2012. A representative from Spotify confirmed Lawson’s exit and said it has started recruiting for a replacement.

Spotify has turned to Australia as a testing ground for some of its new ideas. Australia is one of the regions beta testing Spotify Kids, and was the site for initial tests of the Spotify Stations free playlist app.