Spotify Newsletter #125

Your Weekly Dose of Spotify News

Sep 2

Hello and welcome to the latest Spotify Newsletter!

Numerous media and lifestyle writers were over the moon this week with news that Meghan Markle’s debut of her podcast Archetypes has lit the world on fire, all the while nudging Joe Rogan from the top spot on the Spotify charts.

You can almost taste the glee oozing from their reports, a big batch of stories about the successful debut and how bad guy Joe Rogan should just call it a day.

Speaking of Rogan. Spotify is facing calls for a boycott once again after Rogan recently voiced support for the Republican Party in the upcoming midterm elections.

Neil Young isn’t involved. No celebrities mentioned. Actually, it’s one group with nothing better to do. Are there people who really have enough time in the day to get upset about this? A person expressed an opinion, and now I’m angry!! Grrrr…. Arrgghhh…. Boycott!

Pathetic.

Back to the podcasting royal.

No big surprise the audience for the Duchesses’ podcast is different than Rogan’s.

She is never going to match Rogan’s variety of guests, his style of conversation. Hers is a more exquisitely-crafted product, as if the lovely pages of ‘Town & Country’ magazine had morphed into an audio product. A fancy endeavor befitting someone who married into the Royal Family.

It goes in stark contrast to the rough and ready method of Rogan’s engaging chitchats with all sorts of interesting folks.

She is less-likely to get boycotted by lunatics, so there’s that.

I have a strong feeling Markle is not going to be doing this podcast five years from now. So I’m happy she’s hit the ground with a winner and all the right media people are delighted. The world needs easy-to-swallow content, and Markle will surely dish it up for the time-being. I wouldn’t say she’s a podcaster. She’s a brand with a podcast.

There is an audience for people who want to hear the Duchess of Sussex kibbutz with pop icon Mariah Carey — episode 2! Out now! -, and with Archetypes they have that opportunity.

Is there a level of cringe associated with Markle and this audio venture that’s hard for many to deal with? Yes. I’m one.

However, my personal opinion of her is besides the point. Good for her. More importantly, good for Spotify.

★In the SPOTlight★

🔥 How Spotify reorganised its marketing team to enable more ‘nimble’ creativity

Since restructuring in February, Spotify has been able to roll out almost weekly initiatives across its 10 key markets, according to the audio platform’s top global marketer.

🔥 Spotify and fellow music streamers strike agreement with publishers for 15.35% go-forward royalty rate in the US

The CRB could still reject this proposal if notable opposition to its suggestions arises.
But with the music publishing industry, plus the digital music industry, finally agreeing on something upfront, the involved parties in the proposal are hopeful that the CRB will give it the green light.