Hello friends! Thanks for checking out issue #183 of the Spotify Newsletter.

—+ Spotfiy job listings do not usually merit real estate on this fine newsletter, but I did notice a job - via MBW - for a Director of Global Music Policy (US).

We are seeking to recruit an exceptional candidate to join our Government Affairs team as Director of Music Policy. In this role you will provide strategic advice and external advocacy on music policy-related matters that have an impact on Spotify in key markets around the globe.

‘The job openings come as Spotify grapples with regulatory hurdles in numerous markets, and as its CEO, Daniel Ek, continues to wage a lobbying campaign against major tech giants for regulatory reforms to online stores such as the Apple Store and Google Play.’

Sounds like fun! Gotta be minimal stress, right? In all seriousness, this is definitely a big-time gig. If you get hired please drop me a note and let me know how it’s going! Maybe a mug? Hat?

—+ Jared Leto and Spotify connected for a soiree’ in NYC to chat and rock out in honor of Thirty Seconds to Mars’ new album.

Tuesday night, guests at the Spotify-hosted “An Evening with Jared Leto” got to know him as all that and the host of a Spotify Jam session. 

Jared joined Dustee Jenkins, Spotify’s Chief Public Affairs Officer, along with luminaries like angel investor and personality Hannah Bronfman, entertainment host and entrepreneur Zanna Roberts Rassi, as well as creators like Chris Olsen, Haley Kalil, Antoni Bumba, Victoria Brito, and Edvin Thompson at Zero Bond in New York City for cocktails, light bites, and conversation.

The focal point of the evening was to hear Jared talk about the new Thirty Seconds to Mars album, It’s The End of the World But It’s a Beautiful Day.

More details here.

It was a rather newsy week out of headquarters, so let’s get going. Have a nice weekend.

★ SPOTlight★

⭐️ Spotify issues guide to help Artists to ‘Get Ready For Wrapped’

Spotify’s annual Wrapped year-end recaps have become a true common cultural moment for both fans and the artists they love. To help artists prepare to make the most of the moment, Spotify has issued a “Get Ready For Wrapped” guide.

⭐️ Spotify’s audiobooks move is another brick in the audio wall

Audiobooks can turn passive listening into active listening in a way that music cannot so easily do. Music carved out hours for streaming by being passive, and now audiobooks and podcasts can colonise those hours with active consumption. The more active usage becomes, the more engaged a user is and the less likely they are to churn. Music did the hard yards; audio reaps the rewards.

⭐️ Spotify Europe General Manager Michael Krause Reflects on 15+ Years in Europe

When Spotify launched in Europe in 2008, the music industry—and the world at large—changed forevermore. At the time, few could have predicted that a start-up originating in Stockholm only a few years prior would grow beyond Europe to become the largest audio-streaming subscription service in the world with over 550 million users worldwide. 

⭐️ The Spotify Top 20 is a snapshot of a much bigger story about independence in music

Who controls the biggest 20 global tracks on Spotify right now? If you’re thinking the major record companies you’re… half right.

⭐️ Spotify Taps Marty Doyle, Leah Harris For Lead ANZ Roles

Spotify is bolstering the leadership team for its Australia and New Zealand activities, with Marty Doyle recruited to the streaming giant and a promotion for Leah Harris, The Music Network can exclusively reveal.

🗣 Podcasts 🗣

• Spotify Partners With Alex Cooper’s The Unwell Network

• Spotify's New AI Bet Could Be a Game Changer for Podcasting

• Follow the Hunt for a Con Man in ‘The Wedding Scammer,’ a New Podcast from Spotify and The Ringer

▶️ Playlists ▶️

• Spotify Jam Makes Real-Time Playlists With Your Friends

🎧 Streams 🎧

• The Killers' 'Mr Brightside' is UK's most streamed song in Spotify history

• What does it take for a song to reach a billion streams on Spotify? Science takes a look.

• The 15 best hidden Spotify tricks to celebrate the music app's 15th birthday

🎼 Spotify 4 Artists 🎼

• Spotify’s New Platform Helps Amplify Up-And-Coming Musicians

💡 Tips & Tricks 💡

• How to get a Spotify receipt of your most played songs

• How to View Your Favorite Artist's Profile Page on Spotify

🤖 Spot(ai)fy 🤖

• Spotify's AI Gimmicks Are Actually Great

• Spotify's AI-powered DJ tool is making listening more personal

⚽️ Spotify FC ⚽️

• Main Spotify Camp Nou remodelling licence granted

🖌 Design 🖌

• Spotify expands analytics to give 'a 360-degree view of your audience'

🔥 News 🔥

• Spotify Wrapped 2023 – our release date predictions plus how to listen to it

• Spotify Print Campaign Takes Aim At Apple’s Anti-competitive Business Practices

• Teens Love iPhone & Apple Watch, but Apple Music Trails Spotify

• Spotify adds listening restrictions for its free users in India

• Spotify Remains Number 1 Music Streamer

• How are Swedish gangs using music platform Spotify to launder money?

🎵 New Adventures 🎵

When Am I Going to Make a Living Sade

Hannah Jane Hootie & The Blowfish

Tiffany Queen The Byrds

Disturbing Behavior Robert Palmer

Sunday Shining Finley Quaye

MoneyGrabber Fitz and The Tantrums

Fiona Lyle Lovett

Texas Sun Khruangbin, Leon Bridges

Me, You And Everybody Gomez

📧 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! 😀