Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Pandora exec on voice ads. Why Latin music is having a moment. Playlists for (adoptable) puppies. Continue Reading
Billboard has released its Power 100 list for 2018, a ranking of the most influential leaders in the music business. The list includes several executives from streaming services alongside the stalwarts from major labels, talent management, and concert promotion. Continue Reading
In the November report of Triton Digital’s Webcast Metrics Top 20 Ranker, overall stream listening moved upward 3% for the whole group compared to October. Percentage gains for the month were led by Pandora and AccuRadio. Continue Reading
Spotify has introduced a new multimedia format that blends video and audio components. The feature is called Spotlight, and it can unite photos, video, or text when listening to podcasts, audiobooks, or news. We located Spotlight in Spotify’s Android app. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Podcasts are now 25% at Slate. YouTube tightens access to ad program. Programmatic and podcasts at Spotify. Continue Reading
Spotify announced that it has surpassed 70 million subscribers. The news came in a tweet from the streaming company on Thursday afternoon. That’s an exciting milestone with a direct listing in the works, but the departure of Chief Content Officer Stefan Blom could give investors pause. Continue Reading
One of the perpetual stories that kept appearing in out 2017 headlines was the lingering question of Spotify and its plan for an IPO. The signs had pointed toward the streaming service pursuing a direct listing. Now, news has emerged that Spotify filed the confidential documents with the SEC to begin the IPO process in the final days of December. Continue Reading
Publisher Wixen has sued Spotify over claims that the streaming service used thousands of songs without the proper license. The suit was filed on December 29 in California federal court. Wixen is looking to recoup damages of at least $1.6 billion plus injunctive relief. The publisher represents titles by several well-known artists, including Tom Petty, Neil Young, and Stevie Nicks. Continue Reading
Spotify’s valuation may have reached $19 billion thanks to private trading. That’s up from a rumored valuation of $16 billion in September. Sources familiar with the trades claimed that the private trades for the streaming music services were happening at a price of more than $4,000 per share. Continue Reading
Several tech companies have pitched the European Commission to request limits on behavior from Apple and Amazon that they claim are anti-competitive. Spotify CEO and Co-founder Daniel Ek and Deezer CEO Hans-Holger Albrecht both signed the letter to EU regulators asking for “a level playing field” that prevents some tech giants from “regularly abusing their advantaged position.” Continue Reading
Kevin Brown is departing Spotify, where he is head of artist and label services UK and international, at the end of the year. He first joined Spotify in 2013 and is one of the most senior industry-facing leaders at the company. During his tenure, Brown helped improve relationships between the company and artists. Continue Reading
Spotify and Tencent Music Entertainment Group announced that they will acquire minority stakes in each other. Tencent Holdings, which owns a majority stake of Tencent Music Entertainment, is also making a separate investment in Spotify and will own a minority stake. This development hit the rumor mill last week. Continue Reading