Tag: Cannes

On the Ground at Cannes Lions with DJ, Author, and Entrepreneur Hannah Bronfman

June 20, 2019

If anyone has a soundtrack to their life, it’s Hannah Bronfman. The DJ, author, and founder of HBFIT has music playing around the clock, from prepping meals that go hand-in-hand with her lifestyle book to making one of her monthly playlists. And people are listening—her 5,000+ Spotify followers are a testament to that. The key to engaging that audience, she says, is in understanding the vibe people are looking for while infusing a fresh musical perspective.

We sat down with Hannah in the midst of the 2019 Cannes Lions Festival, where Hannah DJ’ed Spotify and Hulu’s kickoff party and joined our What’s Next panel. She offered us some firsthand insight into the relationship between music and prevailing millennial trends—and the creative process behind her monthly playlists.

You participated in Spotify’s Culture Next Trend Report. This week at Cannes, you talked about some of the learnings of the report on a panel. What did you walk away with after that conversation?

As a content creator and someone who’s very active in my community and very on-the-ground in pop culture, I think these trends are things that I’m definitely aware of. It was just really interesting to hear a different perspective on them, including from the brand side, too. It’s nice that brands are really thinking about these things.

The report found that millennials are listening to international music more than any other demographic. Have you seen that in your listenership? Is it something that you try to incorporate in your sets?

Absolutely. I think now more than ever, we are really seeing that global music is a huge trend. It’s never been easier to learn about new artists and new music. If I like one song [I can easily]  discover new music and new artists that I wouldn’t otherwise understand or know or have exposure towards.

Do you have a particular discovery tool that’s your favorite? Release Radar, Discover Weekly?

I love Release Radar, I love Discover Weekly. I also love following some of my friends. And then I constantly use Shazam. I travel a lot… and when I’m out in places that are foreign to me and I hear a song that I like, I’ll Shazam it, and then I’ll put it on Spotify and listen.

So what are some of the favorite new artists or international tracks you’ve discovered that you’ve incorporated into your playlists or your sets?

I love playing Doja Cat and Kehlani and then VanJess. They’re kind of newer artists that I’m really into, and I like the vibe of that music right now. And then I think more on the international side, Aroc! is amazing. I have a list that I just got from my friend who lives in Paris who’s been listening to a lot of music coming out of Nigeria. Which has these really authentic, amazing drumbeats, and it’s such a vibe. I think Afrikaans music is becoming a big trend in music right now as well.

You also had a chance to DJ the Spotify/Hulu party this week at Cannes. How was sharing the stage with Ciara?

It was awesome. It’s actually not the first time that I’ve opened for her. And I hope it’s not the last. She’s such an amazing inspiration. She’s unbelievably sexy and cool and just has such a vibe. Kind of an interesting crowd to play for, because I feel like everyone’s kind of like a music enthusiast, and so I was trying to play a little bit of Rosalia, some Lizzo, and then also get into some more mainstream stuff.

Is your playlist creation process the same as when you develop a DJ set?

No, actually. When I’m DJing, I very much read a crowd and go with my instinct. When I’m creating playlists, I really do try to create something different every single month. I like to use my playlists as a little bit of a place for discovery for people who are listening. Things that they might not necessarily hear on Top 40… so it’s a little bit more of a discovery than my DJ sets are.

In January you released your book Do What Feels Good, which outlines some healthy recipes. You spend your fair share of time in the kitchen preparing these healthy meals—what do you listen to?

Being in the kitchen is a very therapeutic moment of my day. I will sometimes put on reggae, or I’ll put on some jazz. Maybe if there’s a new album, I’ll put it on because that’s a really good, solid 45 minutes where I’m in the kitchen focusing on what I’m preparing.

How about podcasts—do you have a current favorite you’ve been binging?

I love Black Girls Texting. I love their conversations. I actually went on their podcast during my press tour for the book. And I just really fell in love with those girls.

You’ve been a guest on a lot of podcasts. Is there a difference in interviews via podcasting and than say an interview like this one?

1000%. Podcasts are single-handedly the most beneficial thing I did throughout my first tour. It’s incredible how addicted the audiences are to podcasts, and how each podcast is unique in how it’s talking about a topic. It’s also really cool to see the crossover in audiences since people are listening to multiple podcasts.

It’s more of a conversation. It’s not just so geared towards a specific answer or a specific routine. It’s very much conversational, and it’s about the interviewer and interviewee.

Don’t just take it from us – stream Hannah’s June playlist below.  

Ciara Takes the Stage at Spotify and Hulu’s Cannes Kickoff Celebration

June 18, 2019

This week thousands have descended upon the French Riviera for the annual Cannes Lions Festival­ of Creativity. For our seventh year, we’re delighted for partners, artists, podcasters and influencers to join us in relevant conversations—and to celebrate all the creative potential that streaming has to offer. Monday evening Spotify and Hulu did just that, once again co-hosting a kickoff gathering to toast the best in storytelling, culture, and entertainment.

Spotify and Hulu are long-time partners committed to providing users with the best in sight and sound. We showcased this firsthand from the beautiful Villa Mirazur at a few kilometers away from the Croisette. Celebrities Kerry Washington, Wyclef Jean, Russell Wilson and Sophia Bush, (among others) joined Spotify CEO Daniel Ek, Spotify Chief Content Officer Dawn Ostroff, Hulu CEO Randy Freer and Hulu CMO Kelly Campbell for a night of connections, fine dining, and of course, music.

DJ, Author, and Founder of HBFIT Hannah Bronfman first took to the poolside stage with two high-energy sets.

Spotify’s Presence at Cannes Lions Showcases What’s Next in Culture and Audio

June 17, 2019

The Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, the largest global advertising showcase of the year, is an incredible opportunity to bring Spotify to life for our partners. Our headquarters, Spotify Beach, is once again right on the Croisette — a space to inspire and excite marketers about the possibilities of audio and what’s next.

Our brand partners can join us at the Spotify Beach for meetings in rooms themed after two of the consumer marketing campaigns we hope to be shortlisted for: Black History is Happening Now and Cosmic Playlists. We spoke with Brian Benedik, VP, Global Head of Advertising Sales, and Jess Park, Global Director, Business Marketing, to get their take on Spotify’s ever-growing presence at the festival.

Why does it make sense for a company like Spotify to have a presence at Cannes?

Brian: Cannes Lions is really the Super Bowl for global marketers. It’s a tremendous honor to be nominated for awards, not to mention win them. Additionally, Spotify is a global advertising platform. Cannes tends to be that middle-of-the-year centerpiece—a table-setter for Q3 and Q4—where brands, advertising agencies, vendors, and ad-tech partners can get together to set the stage for the back half of the year. So Cannes is the place for us to entertain, meet, and ultimately close business with many of our partners around the world.

Jess: We show up to showcase Spotify as the best space to connect brands to our rich ecosystem of fans and creators. Plus, creativity is at the heart of the festival and serves as a natural place for us to underscore our connection to the creative community and inspire marketers to look ahead to what’s next.

What has Spotify’s Cannes journey been like?

Brian: We started attending Cannes back in 2012. We had just launched in the U.S. a year prior, and we were only in a handful of countries. Although we were “global,” Spotify didn’t really have a global presence back then. We were just trying to get on the board—get people to notice us, both on the client side and on the marketing side. Then, as we grew our leadership and our partnerships, we grew our Cannes presence, too.

Jess: When we first went, we didn’t even have a home base in the city. Three years ago, we established our own beach space, and we hosted a few small concerts. Last year, we made a major shift, launching our headquarters, the Spotify Beach on the Croisette. When people walked onto that beach, they were blown away to see how far we had come in such a short amount of time. We took ourselves to another level and last year’s success validated our decision to bring Spotify Beach back this year.

What’s your favorite Cannes memory?

Brian: Last year, in 2018, when The Killers performed at our Spotify Beach, that was just amazing. Looking out at the crowd, the energy that The Killers bring—selfishly, I also got to meet them backstage and then introduce them—but that was just a magical night for me and I’m sure for everyone who got to hear them.

Why should people stop by the Spotify Beach this year?

Jess: I’m really proud of the programming we have this year. On Tuesday we have a panel in partnership with the Idea Initiative under the banner of “Cannes in Color,” where we’re focused on lessons from Latin America. We’re bringing together a dynamic panel featuring Carla Hassan, Chief Brand Officer at Citi; Ashley Frangie and Lety Sahagún, the hosts behind the Spotify Original podcast Se Regalan Dudas, the most popular original podcast in Mexico; and others who are creating spaces for Latin American creatives.

During the week, we’re inviting Cannes attendees to attend a session based on Culture Next, our Global Trends Report. We’ll be diving into Gen Z and Millennial-focused trends we identified from the report, Hannah Bronfman, DJ, Author, and Founder of HBFIT”, and Titi Shodiya and Zakiya Whatley, the podcast hosts of Dope Labs, a winner of last year’s Sound Up Bootcamp program.

And on Tuesday, our Chief Content Officer, Dawn Ostroff, will be on the Terrace Stage with multi-Grammy Award nominated singer/songwriter Camila Cabello.

We also have a podcast studio—as we head into Cannes, audio is at the center of our story. This year, the way we work with creators has definitely expanded, and that’s something that’s top of mind for us at Cannes.

We’re taking the best of what we’re learning and sharing it with those who couldn’t travel to Cannes with us. Stream the second season of our Spotify original podcast: Culture: Now Streaming, published live from our podcast studio at the Croisette.

Culture: Now Streaming, Live from CES

January 8, 2019

Every January, tech companies, marketers, publishers, and media agencies converge in Las Vegas, Nevada, at CES (Consumer Electronics Show). It’s a marquee opportunity for creative and technology leaders to set the stage for—and get a glimpse of—what’s in store for the year ahead.

Spotify, founded on innovation, is no stranger to the annual event. In fact, our activations at CES (not to mention the Cannes Lions Festival, as well as dozens of other stages over the past six years) showcase our commitment to the constant we’ve built our business upon: change. This year, we’ll once again be part of the CES mix, highlighting the latest innovative and effective ad opportunities for our brand partners.

5 Tips from Miguel, Samira Wiley, Jessie Ware, and Ramy Youssef on Creating an Authentic Brand

June 22, 2018

If you feel like you “really know” your favorite musician or TV star personally, you’re not alone. Between on-demand, streaming music and video and a never-ending array of posts on social platforms, today’s artistic creators and audiences are closer than ever before. For some celebrities, that connection gives them the chance to share their brand in a very new, meaningful way.

Spotify and Hulu acknowledged and celebrated this newfound engagement during a panel at the 2018 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity introduced by Spotify CMO Seth Farbman and Hulu CMO Kelly Campbell. The execs then handed the mic over to moderator God-is Rivera, Creative Executive at VML, who invited four influential creators from across the music, film, TV, and advertising worlds—Grammy Award-winning artist Miguel, musician Jessie Ware, actress Samira Wiley, and comedian Ramy Youssef—to explore what these connections mean for artists, brands, and creators in the digital age.

Hulu CMO Kelly Campbell and Spotify CMO Seth Farbman

 

We collected a few tips from the panelists on creating and sustaining your own brand:

1. Use culture to engage authentically

Miguel: “I am genuinely interested in creative work. I love to watch film, listen to as much music as possible, and just generally keep in touch with culture. It’s inspiring and helps continue the conversation.”

Samira: “I want to be able to have fans and people who are following me on social media feel like they are getting a real piece of me. So I try to post pictures where I’m hanging out with real people. I say yes to people a lot on the street—I used to shy away, but being accessible when I can helps me feel like I’m connecting more. I hope it makes them feel like they’re connecting with me as well.”

Jessie: “I try to be as honest as possible. I have a podcast, which helps me be relevant. It was very accidental, I did it to escape myself, but people have quite enjoyed it. I do it with my mother while she cooks dinner … It has shown my fans another side of me. A lot of fans think I’m very mysterious but I’m absolutely not, so this breaks down a barrier where they can see that other side, tap in, be relatable and accessible.”

Jessie and Ramy prepare to share

2. Keep your fans in mind

Ramy: “When you do stand-up, you’re kind of ambushing people with comedy. It informs the messaging. You’re like, ‘Ok, if I’m trying to get people’s attention right away, how can I do it?’ and you have to be as authentic as possible right away. … When you only have a small amount of time to engage people, it becomes really clear what the message is and what you want to say.”

Jessie: “Everyone has a story, and you may not know what’s going on when you’re serenading them, and you’re kind of getting a bit frustrated that maybe the crowd’s not warming up enough, but you’re not doing it for you, you’re doing it for them. That’s very humbling for me.”

3. Take a stand for what you believe in

Miguel: “Being of Mexican and black descent, knowing the journey that my father took as an immigrant to the United States from Zamora, Michoacán Mexico makes trying to figure out the proper solution for undocumented people in the States something that has been really dear to my heart. Learning and speaking up about that is a way that I’ve been able to include something that’s authentic to where I came from into my communication and conversation with my fans.”

Samira and Ramy having a laugh

 

4. Use your platform to spread your message

Samira: “Why do I have this platform? People are looking at us to say things. I felt like I needed to speak out on political things because of who I am. I had a wonderful experience coming out … but I know there are so many LGBT youth who do not have that experience. The leading cause of death for LGBT youth is suicide. To have one person who is an advocate for you in your life reduces that by 30 percent. And if I can do that for someone through social media, then that is what I want to do and that is one of the reasons I have the platform I do.”

5. Find a connection

Ramy: “Every time we talk we have influence. Being Muslim is a political thing. Just who I am is political. Now I have a platform and people care. They want to know. So I have to be as much me as possible, as human as possible, and that means putting the flaws first. People respond to ‘Yo, we’re both messed up in the same ways, and we’re both dealing with the same issues,’ and in order for me to do that I have to be vulnerable and honest and human.”

One—perhaps unspoken—piece of advice was that an artist never rests: Miguel brought the evening to a close with a performance of his chart-topping “Sky Walker.”

Miguel performing “Sky Walker”

 

Whether showcasing their work or sharing their thoughts, these influencers are able to create a unique connection that they don’t take for granted.

L-R: Miguel, Samira, Seth, Jessie, God-is, and Ramy

Leading from Within: Inspiring Women in the Creative Industry During ‘See It Be It’ Events at Cannes

June 21, 2018

There are still too few women rising in leadership within the creative industry. That’s why this year Spotify teamed up with Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity “See It Be It,” a program that highlights the issue of gender imbalance at senior levels in the industry—and works to push it into a better balancing act. Each year, the career development initiative identifies 20 future female leaders from the creative world, then provides them with executive training, mentoring and networking opportunities to push their careers forward.

This year, Spotify’s own Danielle Lee (VP, Global Head of Partner Solutions) and Jackie Jantos (VP, Brand and Creative) served as onsite mentors for the “See It Be It” participants throughout Cannes Lions, leading discussions on the importance of inclusivity in brands and using creativity for change. Throughout the week, participants have shared stories and learned skills to help accelerate their paths to leadership in their respective companies and countries. They also heard from Methal, a female musician from Yemen, about her own journey and the adversity she’s faced.

The mentors will follow up with participants throughout the year in other media-related events all over the world to help them put what they’ve learned into action and engage executives at their companies on the topic of gender diversity. “This panel, and See It Be It, is so important to me,” says R/GA EVP and Chief Creative Officer Chloe Gottlieb. “I think about my two little girls and how they will grow up. I hope that they will have the best opportunities, regardless of gender.”

We sat down with Danielle Lee and Alexandra Tanguay (Global Brand Director), to learn why “See It Be It” is so necessary, and how brands should lead by example when incorporating diversity.

Q: Why did Spotify get involved with “See It Be It”?

Danielle Lee: Music is one of the most multicultural forms of storytelling. We at Spotify saw this partnership as an opportunity to have an impact on a program that really is trying to tackle the issue of gender imbalance within the creative community. We are very passionate about culture and creativity and believe that the talent we have on our creative teams needs to reflect the world we live in if we’re really going to connect with consumers and build content that they’re going to love.

Q: How have your roles throughout your career shown you the necessity of programs like “See It Be It”?

Danielle Lee: I am a product of many organizations’ efforts to advance diverse and inclusive environments. I’m a Better Chance Scholar and alum. I was part of INROADS, which is a summer internship program for students of color, so I’ve really benefited throughout my career from organizations and companies that prioritize this mission. I feel a deep responsibility to lift others just as others have done for me. It’s really important not just to be very effective and high-performing in my work, but to also share what I’ve learned and use my power and influence to be part of advancing these issues.

Alexandra Tanguay: I’ve been super fortunate in my time at Spotify in that I’ve had an extremely wonderful mentor and supervisor who is a woman. I’ve been sheltered from a lot of the challenges you face in this industry because I’ve had her on my side. But in my years prior to Spotify, I worked in very male-dominated industries. So I know it’s important that you don’t feel alone. It’s important that you showcase female talent now so that the larger industry can recognize the role that women play and how important it is to have diverse perspectives.

Q: Why does Spotify believe in partnering with companies that lead by example?

Danielle Lee: At Spotify we really focus on the concept of discovery. It’s one of the things that fans love about our platform. They discover new music. They discover new cultures. We feel a deep responsibility to help fans expand their world. Being a champion for openness and discovering new perspectives is a real honor. We like to work with other companies and brands that value that and want to take advantage of that opportunity, not just to put your ad in front of someone, but to impact them in a meaningful way. Music is such a personal medium. We really challenge ourselves to think about how we can create experiences for our fans where the advertising is just as impactful as the music they’re listening to.

Alexandra Tanguay: Media brands have access and opportunity to pull in ambassadors. At Spotify, we can highlight artists who resonate with their fans in such an incredible way. We have a responsibility and opportunity to leverage music to make a huge impact.

Q: Why should media brands lead by example?

Danielle Lee: Media brands shape the way people see themselves, and the way the world sees different communities. It’s so, so important that we tell stories and bring visibility to different voices. As a black woman, I grew up with the people around me having very limited perspectives about who black women are from media portrayals. They were nannies. They were maids. They were one-dimensional. I worked intentionally to redefine that image, because I’m none of those things, and the women around me and in my family and friends, they are none of those things. We have to break those stereotypes and expand people’s understanding of different communities. I think brands and marketers have a critical role to play in tackling those stereotypes and telling stories that have not been given a platform.

Alexandra Tanguay: Spotify is a unique partner to so many different types of brands. We have led the way on so many impact-driven campaigns that allow our partners to come in and allow our partners to sponsor important programs. Having artists on our side allows us to pull brands into those conversations in very authentic ways.

Spotify Celebrates the Connection Between Brands and Consumers at Cannes

June 18, 2018

Spotify was founded upon the simple truth that personal discovery is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Our mission from the beginning has been to connect fans to culture and bring creativity to the world.

That premise makes our presence at the 2018 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity particularly meaningful. From our Spotify Beach headquarters on the Croisette, we celebrate a turning point for the company. We are proud of how far we have come and what we’ve learned along the way. As the recipient of the Cannes Lion Media Brand of the Year award, we consider 2018 as a reflection of that journey.

To date, Spotify connects musicians with over 170 million fans globally, utilizing personalized insights to inspire people to discover even more. From our perch in the cross currents of culture—and at the nerve center of Cannes Lions—Spotify Beach hosts the leaders of the world’s most exciting brands to exchange ideas and learn more about the possibilities of partnership.

At the core of our offerings is the trusted relationship we’ve developed with music fans. Users on our free tier stream over two hours each day, and they stream everywhere: on mobile phones, in connected cars, and through smart speakers at home. This allows us to understand unique insights—like moods, mindsets, tastes and habits on an individual level—and deliver content tailored to each listener.

This valuable intelligence provides advertising partners with opportunities to place personalized and inspiring ads in ways that resonate deeply with a wide range of cultures. Our streaming intelligence connects us with new audiences, providing real time insights that deliver more relevant and engaging ad experiences for our brand partners and users.

At Spotify Beach we present an array of exhibits and interactive tools that give a real, tangible impression of who we are and what we have to offer brands. We highlight everything from our creator programs, personalized and cultural playlists (including Rise, Viva Latino, Rap Caviar, Hot Country and Spotify Singles) and New Free Tier listening experience to our rapid growth in podcasts.