Spotify has reportedly canceled its plans to expand into Russia. The streaming service had hired former Google exec Alexander Kubaneishvili to lead its push into the region, but he told Russian outlet RBC that the company is no longer pursuing that market. Continue Reading
Guest contributor Mark Mulligan examines Spotify’s new financing efforts and Jay-Z’s foray into the streaming business. Continue Reading
The Wall Street Journal reports that Spotify “has expressed a desire” to raise $500-million in private investment, and is working with Goldman Sachs to achieve it. Meanwhile, in an unrelated analysis, past RAIN Summit keynoter Jason Calacanis predicts that Facebook will acquire Spotify. Continue Reading
In a development that could impact streaming audience share of the competitive music-service market, Sony announced that it will launch PlayStation Music with Spotify as an exclusive partner. This means an integrated music service is coming to the PlayStation Network’s 64 million active users. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Spotify drops longstanding PR firm; continued piracy problems and potential solutions. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Billboard on global digital music projections; Spotify adds touch and swipe controls on mobile. Continue Reading
Windows Phone might be a forgotten stepchild of mobile devices, but its market share has more than doubled since 2011. Spotify announced an upgrade to its Windows Phone app which brings beauty and essential features that Android and iOS users are accustomed to onto the platform. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: What high-def streamers are listening to; Spotify hosts diversity-centric hackathon. Continue Reading
In the latest of a string of announcements related to Spotify’s brand marketing opportunities, the global music service has partnered with Hong Kong-based Pixels, a multi-faceted advertising solutions company. The company intends this alliance to further Spotify’s penetration in the local Hong Kong digital ad market. Continue Reading
Guest contributor Mark Mulligan examines Spotify’s recent subscriber reports (15-million paying users), and recommends pricing elasticity for subscription services. Continue Reading
Spotify posted strong subscriber numbers to kick off 2015, and at the same time is building its ad-supported business in its free-listening service. The company sponsored a brand impact study by comScore to investigate the streaming consumer experience. The results portray the streaming audience as one that’s accessible and open to marketing and brand initiatives. Continue Reading
Spotify announced that it kicked off 2015 with 60 million active users, including 15 million paying subscribers. The company also shared a short celebratory playlist on its blog in honor of the milestone. Continue Reading