Hello! Happy Friday! Thanks for reading the latest issue of the Spotify Newsletter.

Lots of news this week. It’s actually week one of Spotify sans royalty. There were far too many articles written about the departure of Harry and Meghan from the podcast wing of Spotify headquarters, but I have no doubt they’ll hop to a new endeavour soon enough.

The team at Vulture was called upon to spin the negative press for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex by taking aim at Spotify as being partly responsible for the calamitous podcast relationship. Heaven forbid it would be all their fault, but let’s not forget there are many out there in Media World who do not love the Swedish Streamer as much as we, so any chance for a cheap shot doesn’t go unused.

Sadly, the story is behind a paywall. Darn!

I figure: She had a show. It was mildly popular for a few minutes. People weren’t that excited. She didn’t want to jump in hip-deep and work overtime to make it dazzle. Management isn’t going to burn more money on a fledgling podcast. Deal terminated.

So fine - it takes two to oversee a bum podcast project. Maybe Spotify could have moved a bit more heaven and earth. Alas, sometimes these things aren’t meant to be.

If anything, media companies are now rethinking how they spend their resources. Hot deals might start to cool a bit. The fallout from the podcast mess might see a little more restraint from Hollywood studios and streaming services.

Onward!

★In the SPOTlight★

⭐️ Spotify Wins a Trio of Awards at Cannes Lions 2023

At the 2023 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity—which recognizes excellence in the world of marketing and advertising—Spotify received a trio of awards, including a Gold Lion.

Their Gold Lion victory came in the ​​Personalized Storytelling and Experience category for our 2022 Spotify Wrapped On-Platform Experience—our campaign that’s now a cultural phenomenon. 

⭐️ Survivor's 'Eye Of The Tiger' Surpasses One Billion Streams on Spotify

"Eye Of The Tiger" was nominated for two Grammy Awards, winning one for "Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group" in 1982. The song was also nominated for an Academy Award in 1982 for "Best Original Song".

⭐️ Spotify Tops 100,000 Video Podcasts

Since we’ve made video podcasts available for creators in nearly every market, the medium has become core to the Spotify podcast experience, with shows all around the world utilizing the format to deepen engagement with fans.

The U.S., Brazil, Mexico, the U.K., and Germany publish the most video podcasts, but we’re also seeing great adoption in markets like the Philippines, where video podcasts account for over half of podcast consumption.

🗣 Podcast Action 🗣

• How Meghan’s Spotify departure signifies the platform’s strategic shift

• Spotify partners with Black-owned flower shop to open free podcast studio

🎧 The Playlist List 🎧

• Streaming Boost for Rick Astley, Elton John Following Glastonbury

• Afrobeats tracks were streamed 13.5bn times on Spotify in 2022

• What is Amapiano? Exploring the African House Genre Through Spotify Playlists

• 10 of Coldplay’s most streamed songs on Spotify for your next music binge

💡 Tips & Tricks 💡

• What is a Spotify private session and why should you use it?

🤖 Spot(ai)fy 🤖

• Spotify's AI DJ Talked to Me for Two Hours Last Night

⚽️ Spotify FC ⚽️

• FC Barcelona and Spotify receive a Bronze Entertainment Lion for Music at The Cannes Lions Awards 2023

🖌 Design Notes 🖌

• Analyzing Volatile Memory on a Google Kubernetes Engine Node

💰 Spotify Stock 💰

• Vontobel Holding Ltd. Reveals 21.4% Increase in Ownership of Spotify

🔥 Extra News 🔥

• Spotify Will Reportedly Launch Pricier Subscription Tier Later This Year

• As Spotify’s door closes on Soundtrap, another opens

• Spotify Canada reveals the top songs Tinder users put in their dating profiles

• Pepsi's Rockstar Energy Drink preps Stormzy concert on Spotify

• Spotify is getting an upgrade I've wanted for years that will change my life

• Tinder and Spotify Couple Up for Match-Worthy Anthems and Spotify Premium Trial Offer

• Spotify’s countdown has begun for Taylor Swift’s ‘Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)’

🎵 New Adventures 🎵

Are You Ready for the Sex Girls Gleaming Spires

No More Rain (In This Cloud) Angie Stone

You're a Wolf Sea Wolf

She's Fine, She's Mine Spoon

Junior John Mellencamp

Telegram Sam T. Rex

No Reply - Remastered 2009 The Beatles

River Runs Red - 2011 Remaster Midnight Oil

A Word In Spanish Elton John

📧 Get in touch 📧

If you have a question, idea, request, or simply a desire to chat about Spotify, please email me at jeff.spotifynewsletter@gmail.com.

😀 Have a Nice Weekend! 😀