Pandora and Sirius XM are getting closer ties at long last, but it’s not quite the same relationship the parties were initially planning. Sirius XM has agreed to invest $480 million in Pandora. This investment causes a ripple effect, changing some other business avenues that Pandora had also been considering. Continue Reading
Pandora returns to the headlines today as yet another layer of outside involvement becomes a possibility for the audio company. The audio company’s future has been a topic of interest as an ever-growing number of parties consider getting involved with the business to varying degrees. Two new developments have emerged around this ongoing story today. Continue Reading
We’ve been hearing speculation for many months that Pandora and Sirius XM are interested in building a closer relationship. Sirius XM has been rumored to want to acquire the online audio company, but the two parties have been at odds over price. New information from the New York Post’s Claire Atkinson indicated that if Sirius does back away, Pandora might have another interested suitor. Continue Reading
Pandora is updating its branded station ad product to incorporate select on-demand features and influencer curation. The audio company is hosting a campaign for Gatorade-owned brand Propel. It includes three branded stations, each attached to a fitness personality and focused on a particular genre. Continue Reading
Pandora added a new facet to its Sounds Like You marketing campaign, looping in both Twitter and emojis. People who tweet to the @pandoramusic handle with the hashtag #soundslike and an emoji will receive an automated response from the audio company. Continue Reading
In one of the most eventful days in company history, Pandora released its Q1 earnings, disclosed the first subscription numbers for Pandora Premium, announced a new $150-million investment, altered its board rules making it easier to change directors, and accepted the resignation of its board Chairman and another board member. Continue Reading
Glenn Peoples has written a break-down of the royalty systems for Pandora’s three different services. “The direct licensing agreements Pandora has reached with labels has brought some changes to how royalties are paid for all three tiers,” he wrote. Continue Reading
Pandora Premium, long in development and selectively released in March, is available to all users as of this morning. Along with that, Pandora has started a new ad campaign titled “Sounds Like You.” Many people will view the unlimited release of Pandora Premium as the more important news. Today is a moment of fruition that alters the competitive landscape of music services. Continue Reading
Pandora may be on the hunt for a new influx of cash to support its expansion. Claire Atkinson of the New York Post reported that Pandora is looking to work with a private equity firm to obtain more funds. Sources said that Pandora has had talks with firms including Providence Equity Partners, Silver Lake and KKR. Continue Reading
Pandora has promoted Susan Panico to its senior vice president of strategic solutions. Panico’s appointment fills the position left vacant by Heidi Browning, who left the company in the fall of 2016 to join the national Hockey League. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Will Podcasting Save the News Media Industry? Pondering a potential Pandora purchase. How much does a Spotify playlist boost popularity? Continue Reading
A Piper Jaffray analyst, bullish on Pandora stock, surveyed existing users of the free Pandora radio service to determine the level of demand for Pandora Premium, the fully interactive on-demand music platform launched on March 13. Survey results indicate a 15% “intent” among non-paying Pandora users to upgrade into the Premium product. Continue Reading