Spotify has a new UK boss, MBW can reveal.
Tom Connaughton, the former Vevo executive – who arrived at Spotify in London just three months ago in a different role – is stepping up to the position of Managing Director, UK.
Connaughton joined Spotify in April as Head of Artist and Label Marketing, UK, following seven years with Vevo.
The British exec moved over from his New York-based role as Vevo’s SVP of Creative Content & Programming.
Today’s news of his promotion comes two weeks after MBW revealed that George Ergatoudis, Spotify’s former Head of Music Culture, International Shows & Editorial / Content, was jumping ship to Apple.
It is widely expected that Ergatoudis is taking the vacant Head of UK role at Apple Music in London – making him and Connaughton opposite numbers at the world’s two biggest audio subscription streaming services.
In his new role, Connaughton will lead the growth of Spotify’s UK business overall, including driving its content strategy, artist partnerships, shows and editorial, and artist marketing.
MBW understands that Spotify will begin recruiting for a replacement for Connaughton’s prior role as Head of Artist and Label Marketing, UK, immediately.
A Spotify spokesperson has confirmed Connaughton’s promotion, but offered no further comment.
The UK is a strategically and financially important element of Spotify’s global business: according to an F-1 filing from earlier this year, the UK contributed €444m of Spotify’s total €4.09bn revenue in 2017.
Connaughton’s background at Vevo, working with the industry to create music-themed video content, is an interesting fact to mull over.
It’s especially interesting in light of the appointment of Dawn Ostroff as Spotify’s new Chief Content Officer, based in New York.
Ostroff does not have a background in the music business, but has strong credentials in the world of TV and movie production.
She is the co-founder and former President of Condé Nast Entertainment (CNE) – a digital video, film, and TV business based on Conde Nast’s brands and assets.
In addition to CNE’s digital video division, Ostroff looked after the company’s feature film and TV operation. Her movie credits include Only the Brave, The Old Man and the Gun, Army of One and The First Monday in May.
Ostroff’s television production credits include Last Chance U, Vanity Fair Confidential, Gentlemen Lobsters, as well as The Fashion Fund and The New Yorker Presents.Music Business Worldwide
