Tag: Partnership

Keep It Light Media Joins Megaphone, and ‘Parenting Hell’ Becomes a Spotify Exclusive

a photo of the parenting hell hosts sitting against a wall with toys thrown about

Since 2015, Megaphone has been at the forefront of innovation as one of the world’s leading podcast publishing platforms. Now, Spotify’s Megaphone is expanding with the addition of podcast network Keep it Light Media. 

This partnership means that the podcast network, home to popular shows like Alan Carr’s ‘Life’s A Beach’ and Wolf and Owl, will have its podcasts hosted on Megaphone, and distributed on and off Spotify. Its shows will become part of the Spotify Audience Network, our audio-first advertising marketplace that allows advertisers of all sizes to connect with listeners across a broad range of content on and off Spotify using audience-based targeting tools.

“We are delighted that Keep It Light Media has chosen Megaphone by Spotify as its podcast platform of choice,” shared Chelsea Bradbury, Head of U.K. Publisher Partnerships for Megaphone. “With our differentiated offering for podcast publishers, we’re more than excited to be able to work with Keep It Light Media and its incredible podcast catalog to help grow its business and unlock more advertiser demand.”

Along with this new partnership, Spotify is excited to announce that the Keep It Light Media podcast Parenting Hell, from comedians Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe, will become exclusive to Spotify. The show has resonated with listeners, amassing more than 55 million downloads since its launch in 2020. Episodes find Rob and Josh offering funny, relatable takes on their misadventures in parenting. “The best thing about podcasts for comedy is that it’s far more personal and far more immediate than television or radio or all these other things,” explained Josh. “And that’s because you’re actively deciding to put it on, and it feels like a personal experience with the people [hosting].” 

With this new partnership, Parenting Hell will be shared with the millions of listeners who come to Spotify for their podcasts. “Spotify has studios we can use in town, which is really helpful, rather than rickety offices that we do in other jobs,” said Rob. “So it’s enabled us to prioritize it and make sure that it comes out every Friday, every Tuesday, without fail. Plus, it’s free and there’s no paywall. So that really excited us about joining up.”

Check out the latest episode of Parenting Hell below. 

Spotify Partners With Bresh, the Acclaimed Gen Z Trend Party

Bresh in pink tesxt on a fuzzy looking pink background

No matter your typical go-to genre, there’s some music that simply makes you want to dance. An emphasis on genre fluidity and variation—alongside a desire for diversity, tolerance, brightness, and freedom—is the concept behind Bresh, a dance party that began in Argentina six years ago and quickly became a global phenomenon. The meeting place for artists, actors, and prominent Gen Z personalities is, in short, a vibe—and Bresh is now a popular dance party in more than 90 cities and 12 countries around the world. 

During the pandemic, thousands of people tuned into Bresh’s livestreams to have a good time from home. Now IRL once again, the party has joined forces with Spotify as its official streaming partner so that Latin American users can enjoy the full experience on their smartphones long after the lights have been switched back on and participants have gone home.

 

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This union will enable the promotion of Bresh’s  official playlists on Spotify, “Hitazo Tras Hitazo,” which contains more than 40 hours of the most-listened-to and most-danced-to songs. Plus, through this partnership, we’re also committing to fostering momentum for both recognized and emerging artists and DJs associated with the party. 

Bresh and Spotify share a similar goal: to provide young people with the best audio and the music they love, in one place. The alliance of Bresh and Spotify in Latin America will allow the party to continue to expand in the region, connecting young people from Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina with the values that represent them, such as multiculturalism and belonging.

The most beautiful (and popular) party in the world is now accompanied by the world’s leading audio platform. Together, we’ll work toward our mission of making Bresh a meeting place for all young people united in a shared language of multigenre fluidity, and of course, dancing.

Spotify Island Brings New Experiences for Fans and Artists to Roblox

a luscious green land with flowers and plants depicts Spotify Island on Roblox. The singer SUNMI is on a giant screen on the island.

Roblox fans, pack your bags—Spotify is entering your world. Today, we are introducing Spotify Island, a paradise of sound where fans and artists from all over the world can hang out and explore a wonderland of sounds, quests, and exclusive merch. 

Spotify is the first music-streaming brand to have a presence on Roblox, a virtual universe where users can create and play games and share experiences with friends. Through this interactive world, we’re creating a place where fans can link up and create new sounds together, hang out in digital spaces, and gain access to exclusive virtual merch. Spotify Island is an audio oasis that has it all. 

Roblox users can mingle with artists, complete interactive quests, and unlock exclusive content. Players can also enjoy an immersive audio experience by creating music and exploring sounds at the virtual beat-maker stations powered by Soundtrap. The island will have other musical Easter eggs at every turn for eagle-eyed users to discover. Users can even climb to the top of “The Charts” by collecting points.

Spotify and Google Announce User Choice Billing

Today, we are excited to announce a new chapter in our partnership with Google: a multiyear agreement that represents a first-of-its-kind option in payment choice and offers opportunities for both consumers and developers.  

Users who’ve downloaded Spotify from the Google Play Store will be presented with a choice to pay with either Spotify’s payment system or with Google Play Billing. For the first time, these two options will live side by side in the app. This will give everyone the freedom to subscribe and make purchases using the payment option of their choice directly in the Spotify app. Spotify will continue to freely communicate with users about our Premium subscription service, promote discounts and promotions, and give listeners on our Free tier the ability to convert to Premium directly in the app. 

Over the coming months, Spotify will work with Google’s product and engineering teams to build this new experience, and we’ll roll out in countries around the world. Working together, the companies will test and learn, jointly exploring product innovations across the Android platform. We anticipate launching the first iteration of User Choice Billing later this year.  

Spotify has been publicly advocating for platform fairness and expanded payment options, among other things, because fair and open platforms enable better consumer experiences and allow developers to grow and thrive—when this happens everyone wins.

Alex Norström, Chief Freemium Business Officer, commented, “Spotify is on a years-long journey to ensure app developers have the freedom to innovate and compete on a level playing field. We’re excited to be partnering with Google to explore this approach to payment choice and opportunities for developers, users, and the entire internet ecosystem. We hope the work we’ll do together blazes a path that will benefit the rest of the industry.” 

“Android has always been about openness and user choice,” said Sameer Samat, Vice President, Product Management at Google. “This step is an important milestone for mobile app stores and I can’t imagine a better first partner than Spotify. They value choice as much as we do and understand the importance and continued investment in Android and Play to the health of the entire ecosystem. This is an exciting first step and we look forward to adding new partners and learning how this model could be expanded across the platform.”

Spotify Pakistan Partnered With ‘Coke Studio’ This Season To Amplify Artists in the Region and Beyond

When Spotify launched in Pakistan at the start of 2021, we instantly encountered the presence of a fellow powerhouse in music and media: Coke Studio. Since the television show’s premiere in 2008, it has become the longest-running music franchise in Pakistan. Coke Studio’s unique format features in-studio collaborations with both music legends and industry newcomers. And since Coke Studio was already a household name across the South Asian diaspora, both Spotify and Coca-Cola Pakistan (which produces the show) saw that partnering up for Season 14 had the potential to bring generations of Pakistani music to an even larger audience around the world. 

“While Coke Studio has been producing music for years, it presented a new vision for 2022, which matched Spotify’s mission to unlock the massive potential of creators and music across Pakistan,” said Khan FM, Head of Artist and Label Partnerships in Pakistan. “At Spotify, we’re proud of our global reach in music, so it made absolute sense for the ‘Sound of the Nation’—Coke Studio’s tagline—to be heard all around the world.” 

This season, Coke Studio introduced fans to 13 new songs with contributions from more than 30 artists. And following this week’s season finale, they can all be found on Spotify’s Coke Studio: Pakistan hub.

Beyond the new tracks from Season 14, Coke Studio: Pakistan also gives fans access to all the hits from previous seasons. And listeners who want to dig deeper into the Coke Studio discography can find curated playlists like This is: Coke Studio Pakistan, Women of: Coke Studio Pakistan, Best of: Coke Studio Fusion, Best of: Coke Studio Sufi, Best of: Coke Studio Pakistan, and more. The hub is a destination for artists to share their music with Spotify’s 406 million listeners, many of whom can be found in the U.S., the U.K., Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

For the Record got to speak with Khan to learn about Spotify’s vision for music in Pakistan and what it was like to bring this Coke Studio partnership to life.

How would you describe Coke Studio‘s influence on the music market in Pakistan?

Coke Studio paved the way for music to remain consistent in Pakistan. It allowed Pakistanis to look forward to new music and stay connected with their favorite artists. The program itself has not only created immense pride in Pakistan, but it has also become a representation of South Asian music and culture. With the success of Coke Studio in Pakistan, several other markets like India, the Middle East and North Africa, and the Philippines have tried to activate their own versions of Coke Studio—the latest being in Bangladesh—proving it to be a very influential approach. 

How does a platform like Spotify help elevate the listening experience for fans of Coke Studio

Other than allowing fans all over the world to listen to Coke Studio’s latest music on Spotify, we enhanced the experience by creating exclusive content with the artists, which was released exclusively on Spotify Pakistan’s social media accounts. Moreover, we held three exclusive prerelease listening sessions with the creators and artists for the die-hard fans and senior members of the press, which had never been done before in Pakistan. 

What insights did you gain throughout Season 14 and after it had wrapped up? 

The biggest learning for us is to always have clear objectives from the beginning. We both knew this collaboration would have various challenges, but both parties had one very clear objective: amplify Pakistani music and represent it in the absolute best way possible. This objective became more of a passion point and therefore allowed us to work efficiently to ensure that all teams were aligned, that all artists were excited about the partnership, and that listeners all over the world would experience Pakistani culture unlike ever before. 

What is your goal when seeking out partnerships with brands? 

When collaborating with brands, one of my most important goals is to be able to select brands that match our values. Almost every brand out there is trying their best to succeed and roll out a plethora of activations. It’s important to understand the objectives of a successful brand collaboration. This will set the right tone and help us work toward a shared goal. In this case, it was the presentation of Pakistani artists and music to a global audience while highlighting the amplification of Gen-Z artists. 

What emerging-established artist duos were you most excited to bring together this season? 

For 2022, the most exciting duo was for the first single, “Tu Jhoom,” which brought together the living legend Abida Parveen with Naseebo Lal. The song resonated across South Asia and eventually the world, becoming one of the most sought-after releases from Coke Studio

A fan-favorite would be Ali Sethi’s “Pasoori,” which not only introduced the audiences to a new artist—Shae Gill—but also became one of the most-streamed tracks on Spotify’s global charts. Lastly, another favorite would be “Mehram,” a slow ballad of sorts that brings together Asfar Hussain (lead vocalist from the band Bayaan) and two-time Grammy nominee Arooj Aftab, who is also the EQUAL Ambassador of the Month for Spotify Pakistan this March.

Excited about Spotify’s partnership with Coke Studio? Check out the Coke Studio: Pakistan destination on Spotify to discover all of this season’s singles and more.

Spotify and Peloton Partner to Help You Break a Sweat Without Missing a Beat

Whether you’re just warming up or at the peak of your fitness routine, the right song can change your entire workout—as can the right instructor. This is something both Spotify and Peloton know well: Working out is one of the top listening moments on Spotify, and music is vital to the Peloton experience. 

We saw this last year when Peloton Instructors Olivia Amato and Kendall Toole introduced two new guided musical fitness experiences on Peloton that were paired to the sounds of Spotify’s Power Hour playlist. We also introduced the Track Love feature, which allows fitness buffs to save their favorite Spotify tunes as they sweat. Now Spotify and Peloton are taking their partnership to the next level, combining their strengths to bring fans the very best of fitness and audio.

Starting today, Peloton is taking center stage on Spotify’s Workout Hub. The fitness brand now has a dedicated Curated by Peloton shelf within the hub that showcases seven playlists from their world-class Instructors and popular fitness disciplines. They include Running by Peloton, Tunde Oyeneyin’s Playlist, Strength by Peloton, and more. These curated playlists offer an inside look into the songs featured in class, as well as the Instructors who teach with music that’s perfect for any workout. In addition to Tunde, this month we showcase the playlists of a diverse group of superstar Peloton Instructors, including Peloton’s VP of Fitness Programming, Robin Arzón, Tread and Strength Instructor Adrian Wiliams, Yoga Instructor Mariana Fernández, and Cycling and Strength Instructor Ally Love

To celebrate, we curated co-branded workout classes with Peloton featuring songs from some of our most popular playlists, like Today’s Top Hits, Door Knockers, Lofi Beats, Indigo, and Baila Reggaeton, to play across their programming. Whether you’re gearing up for Cycling, Tread, Strength, or Yoga, you can work out to the top tunes through these new classes on Peloton. 

Not sure where to start? Try signing into your Spotify account and then taking the new “Find Your Instructor” quiz. Based on a few quick questions and listening behavior, listeners can find out which Peloton Instructor’s music tastes best matches their own. The personalized pairings make a harmonious connection based on a listener’s workout goals and favorite beats.

And speaking of Instructors, For the Record had a conversation that will get your heart racing. We spoke with one of Peloton’s most challenging and motivating Cycling and Bike Bootcamp Instructors, Tunde Oyeneyin, about the music that keeps her energized.

For newcomers to Peloton, how would you describe your class and the experience?

I like to say, “I will always push you, but I will never let you fall.” I love teaching challenging classes because I love being the vessel that provides people with access to an even greater version of themselves. When people unclip after a class with me, they feel like they just achieved more than they thought they were capable of.

How does music fit into your classes and your approach to teaching?

What makes a class is the structure, the sound, the music. Saying the right thing at the right moment. All of it is what builds the show. 

Who I am musically—my taste, my choice, my love for music—I think that is part of what I’m known for at Peloton. People come to me for a couple of different reasons: If they want somebody to motivate the hell out of them, if they’re looking to be challenged, and if they want a really great playlist. The music on my playlist is definitely a factor that draws people in. And I think sometimes people may not necessarily want the challenge, but they’re so addicted to the playlist that that usually pulls them in. I’m very intentional. In order to do what I am requiring of you, what I’m asking of you, you have to have a soundtrack that propels you. 

Music is the drive. My hope is always that I pulled songs and arranged them in an order that allows you to untap and reach for that day’s best.

Can you walk us through how you pick the music for your classes?

I spend a lot of time on the music front. I’m definitely an Instructor that leads with music. I think the music creates the tone. The best classes are like a really great book—there’s a beginning, a middle, and an end. There are ebbs and flows. Every moment can’t be the highest moment, the hardest moment. There needs to be balance. So I use the music to not only balance, but also to tell a story.

And then the BPM, or beats per minute, of a track really helps to create the program, whether we’re on a flat road or the biggest hill of our lives. Life isn’t flat, meaning there are highs and lows, there are peaks and valleys. I try to use music to illustrate that as I program the class.

Do you have a go-to artist or song to bring an energy boost at the end of class?

Beyoncé, Drake, and Ariana Grande are among my list of go-to artists. People who ride with me know that if I play “Lose My Breath” by Destiny’s Child and then anything by Outkast, Missy Elliot, or DMX—if you see that as a finisher—it’s probably a crazy class.

What are you listening to outside of the Peloton studio?

I think people would be shocked to know how much house music I love outside of my Peloton playlist. I’m also a big fan of alternative music, like I love The Killers. I love Coldplay. I’ve got a wildly eclectic taste in music. I think it does come across on the bike. I play a pretty vast amount of artists. Everything from hip-hop and pop to rock, Latin, and dance. But in my personal world, it becomes even more eclectic. House is my go-to a lot—and good ’90s R&B, like Ms. Lauryn Hill and Brandy.

When did you begin to love music?

I’ve always loved sound. I’ve always loved dancing. I think that movement is a celebration of life. And if movement is the celebration of life, then music is the vessel that brings that celebration. I grew up in a Nigerian household. My parents are Nigerian, so the drum is like my spirit.

Do you have any advice for people who might be a little intimidated jumping into a class or getting on a bike?

Do it! Do it anyway! Don’t allow your fear to steer. The beauty of uncertainty is infinite possibility. Embrace the uncertainty.

What are you waiting for? Jump, ride, or stretch your way into a new fitness routine. Explore the Curated by Peloton shelf for musical inspiration, and find out if you and Tunde share the same eclectic taste by taking our quiz at https://www.onepeloton.com/spotify

*Take our quiz from Canada here, Australia here, and the U.K. here.

Spotify and Riot Games Team Up for an Official League of Legends Esports Partnership

Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game League of Legends is the biggest esport in the world. Last year, tournaments were held in over 37 different cities across five continents, with a record-breaking viewership of 21.8 million average minute audience watching the 2019 World Championship Final unfold. But gamers and fans aren’t just playing: they’re also streaming. 

The official League of Legends soundtrack racks up over 4.8 million Spotify listeners per month—a sizable number of both gamers and Spotify users. That’s why Spotify and Riot Games, the video game developer behind League of Legends, are joining forces for a first-of-its-kind multiyear partnership. Spotify is also now the official—and exclusive—audio -streaming partner for League of Legends global events. 

The partnership will also give fans original podcasts, curated playlists, and so much more. Get ready for:

Official League of Legends Esports hub

Music is already important in the League of Legends world, but we’re taking it one step further by creating a hub. Get excited for new and existing music, podcasts, and playlists inspired by the gaming community, including Official League of Legends and Road to Worlds 2020 playlists. Keep an ear out for more coming soon.

Exclusive and original podcasts

Spotify and Riot Games are working to create and launch several new League of Legends podcasts. Untold Stories: Top Moments from Worlds, a 9-episode series leading up to the 10th League of Legends World Championship this fall, will be the first. Listeners will be able to hear about the top players and anthems through game highlights, recorded interviews, game sound effects, and new interviews with key players. Thanks to our extended partnership, we look forward to evolving this podcast over the years to come. 

Elevated music moments

We’re also providing fans with a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the Worlds Anthem through the Worlds Anthem Takeover on Spotify. This highly anticipated track is the hero song of the year. It’s released alongside a bespoke music video and is then performed during the Opening Ceremony of the World Championship Finals, setting the tone and celebrating the big event. In previous years, Riot Games has worked with artists including Imagine Dragons, The Glitch Mob, and Against the Current.

“Music and audio are an intrinsic part of our sport and game, so we are thrilled to partner with Spotify to provide our fans with another platform where they can enjoy the ultimate manifestation of League of Legends,” says Naz Aletaha, Head of Global Esports Partnerships, Riot Games. “As a disrupter in their space similar to Riot Games, Spotify allows us to collectively challenge the limits of possibility as we blend sports, technology, entertainment, and music to create iconic experiences and content that inspire generations.”

June Sauvaget, Global Head of Consumer and Product Marketing, says, “Our partnership with Riot Games will create a first-of-its-kind audio universe for the millions of Spotify and League of Legends fans across the globe. As the exclusive—and first ever—global audio service partner for League of Legends, we plan to create a world-class audio-streaming experience for our users, making discovering both music and podcasts easier than ever before.” 

Can’t wait to stream the music from the esport and game? Check out the Official League of Legends Playlist.

Warner Bros Is Bringing the DC Super Heroes and Super Villains to Spotify as an Exclusive Series of Podcasts

Take it from your favorite super heroes (or even super villains): The League gets the job done. So in the spirit of Batman and Robin, the JLA, or the Birds of Prey, Spotify is entering into a new multiyear partnership with Warner Bros. and DC to produce and distribute an original slate of narrative scripted podcasts exclusively on Spotify.

The partnership—the first to involve the intellectual property of the entire DC Universe —will leverage iconic characters in new Spotify shows. Additionally, the companies are expected to draw upon Warner Bros. Studio’s broader collection of timeless titles as stand-alone podcast series. This collaborative and innovative effort will further increase the diverse array of premium storytelling content for Spotify listeners around the world.

Warner Bros. Digital Networks (WBDN) will manage the business and strategy related to the partnership. Warner Bros. Television Group’s digital studio, Blue Ribbon Content (BRC), will oversee the creative relationship and will co-develop and produce the programming in collaboration with Spotify, which will be responsible for the marketing, advertising, and distribution of the shows exclusively on its platform.

In addition to producing narratives based on existing characters and franchises from across Warner Bros. and DC, the two entities will also collaborate with Spotify to create new programming from original intellectual property—but more on those crossover events in a future issue.

To be continued . . .

Spotify Premium and Chase Are Teaming Up to Help You Get More

Spotify is excited to announce that we’re teaming up with Chase to help our shared customers unlock even more value.

Eligible Chase customers of select credit cards who are new to Spotify Premium are invited to take advantage of six months of free Spotify Premium.* In addition, current Spotify Premium users can receive a 5% statement credit for a six-month period when using an eligible Chase credit card for Spotify Premium subscription payments.** Eligible cardmembers can enroll by May 31, 2020 to enjoy these perks.

“Our goal is to bring Spotify Premium to new audiences, and we’ve seen the success aligning with world-class partners has had in helping us reach more users,” said Marc Hazan, VP of Premium Partnerships, Spotify. “Working with Chase will bring more opportunities and ways for millions of their cardmembers to experience all of the features available on Spotify Premium, including the ability to listen to 50 million tracks on-demand and ad-free.”

We are excited to work together with Chase and bring even more to our shared users.

 

*The trial offer will be marketed directly to Chase customers

**For terms and conditions, visit https://www.chase.com/getmorenow.

 

5 Fast Facts About Spotify and Samsung’s Partnership Expansion

Back in August, we announced that Spotify had been named Samsung’s new go-to music service provider, bringing a more seamless, multi-device listening experience to their users. Today, we’re excited to share that we’ve brought our partnership to the next level. Spotify will be pre-installed on the newest Samsung mobile devices, so music and podcast lovers can start listening as soon as they turn on their new phone.

Looking forward to a new gadget—and to getting to your favorite music and podcasts even quicker? Here are five fast facts about Spotify and Samsung’s partnership expansion.

  1. It’s a continuation of our announcement last August (ICYMI, Spotify is Samsung’s go-to music service provider)
  2. Spotify will be pre-installed on millions of new Samsung mobile devices globally
  3. Those devices include the soon-to-be-released Galaxy S10, S10+, S10e, S10 5G, Galaxy Fold and select Galaxy A Series phones*—so getting a new phone means discovering new music and podcasts that much sooner
  4. Eligible consumers with select Samsung devices in the U.S. will qualify for six months of free Spotify Premium, redeemable in app
  5. From our integration with Bixby, Samsung’s intelligence platform, to our availability across TVs tablets, smartphones, and smartwatches, we’re just getting started.

We’re excited to continue supporting Samsung devices this year to allow Samsung and Spotify users to discover and enjoy music in new ways. You can read even more here and determine if you qualify for the six months of free Spotify Premium.

*Galaxy S10, S10+, S10e, S10 5G, Galaxy Fold and select Galaxy A series devices; may vary by region and carrier.

Exploring Spotify’s Creative Content Partnership With Ellen DeGeneres

Spotify and Ellen DeGeneres are cut from the same cloth. We share an insatiable appetite for new music, and we’re both passionate about using the power of music to build culture and community. Now, The Ellen Degeneres Show and Spotify are coming together in an exciting partnership that will create opportunities for new voices to be discovered and enjoyed by millions of listeners.

As Ellen herself said, “I’m so excited to partner with Spotify on my very own music hub because music truly makes everything better. Well, music and salt.”

Spotify users can now find an all-new content Ellen hub based on her incredibly popular show—from the music of artists on her show, to her popular “Ellen on the Go” podcast, and beyond. The innovative partnership, which launched Friday, December 7, puts Ellen center stage on our platform, curating fresh, new Spotify content that old and new fans alike will love.  

We caught up with several of the Spotify band members behind the partnership from across the company to learn about what Ellen and Spotify fans can expect in the year ahead.

What excites you the most about this awesome new partnership with Ellen?

Jamie Herbert, Spotify Head of North American Marketing: Ellen is such a beloved figure around the world, but she’s also a huge music fan and tastemaker, helping to launch the careers of countless new and emerging artists over the years.

We’re excited to help generate exposure for all the artists Ellen is passionate about, whether it’s global music stars or the next big thing. We’ve created a Spotify-first dedicated hub for all of Ellen’s fans to visit and hear what she is listening to right now, including custom playlists of all the artists appearing on the show updated on a regular basis. We’ll also be featuring her Ellen on the Go podcast and in 2019 adding exclusive video clips from the show.

What was the original idea spark for this first-of-its-kind collaboration?

Alex Bodman, Spotify Global Executive Creative Director: This is the first time we’re doing such a high-profile partnership, so I began to think about how we might pitch the creative opportunity to Ellen and her team and what it would look like. I wrote down a few words on a piece of paper. One of them was “irreverent.” One was “progressive.” One was “energy.” Then I wrote the phrase “passionate about culture.” You could take all of these attributes and use them to describe the Spotify brand, but you could just as easily use them to describe the Ellen brand. What you have is two brands that align in a really authentic, natural way with very different audiences.

Richard Frankel, Spotify Global Creative Director, Partner Solutions: Both Ellen and Spotify use our platforms to amplify exposure for new voices, music, and culture trends. We’re focused on establishing content partnerships that help us give a million creative artists the opportunity to live off their art, and that gives billions of fans the opportunity to enjoy and be inspired by it. Additionally, working closely with Ellen will be our first experience with marketing to an older audience.

What is it about Spotify and Ellen that makes this an ideal pairing?

Xavier “X” Jernigan, Head of Cultural Partnerships: It’s ideal because it enables us to partner with an influencer to curate an entire category and hub around their brand, and it’s the first time we’ve done so. Ellen’s brand is deeply interwoven with music, as evidenced by the care with which she handpicks musical talent, and by the ways she integrates music into her show. Bringing in specific influencers like this to Spotify is perfect because it opens us up to more opportunities to speak to fans—and an even wider audience—where influencers have already cultivated trust.

Frankel: Ellen represents that embrace of just loving what you love and freely expressing it. Another thing she does really well is find and celebrate lesser-known voices. She takes chances on them in ways that Spotify aims to do. It echoes how we help unknown songs become discovered and, many times, turn into hit songs. On Spotify, a hit song can come out of nowhere, and Ellen has that same unique exposure power. She finds the yodeler in Walmart and turns them into a superstar. We’re so aligned on amplifying those voices, so I think this is going to work really well between us. We share an affinity for the underdog who breaks through in unexpected ways.

What does this groundbreaking partnership say about the evolution of Spotify, and about the evolution of the Ellen brand—and how nimble both brands are at connecting with new and existing audiences?

Herbert: Through this partnership, we can tap into Ellen’s passion for music and provide innovative ways to connect her loyal fanbase with artists across the full spectrum—from undiscovered talent to household names—all through a custom Ellen destination on Spotify.

What can fans look forward to over the next year?

Jernigan: Ellen and her team have curated four exclusive Spotify playlists that fans can look forward to. Loved By Ellen features music that Ellen is loving right now. Twitch’s Favorites is DJ Twitch’s top dance jams. Ellen Show Favorites is a sneak peek of songs played just for guests. And Performed On Ellen highlights artists who have performed on Ellen.

Bodman: Ellen’s playlists will be endless because they’ll be constantly updated. They’ll include the artists and songs Ellen is currently listening to. Some of it will be Bruce Springsteen classics and some of it will be the breakout rapper who just played her show last week. The beauty is that listeners will discover new music and rediscover favorites, all through Ellen’s eclectic, one-of-a-kind lens.

Check out our exclusive new “The Ellen Show” content hub on Spotify here.

The Spotify Holiday Gift Guide Is Here

Festive pajamas, scarves, candles, chocolate … you’ve already exhausted all the go-to gifts for your inner circle. Here’s an obvious but brilliant idea: music. It’s a clear crowd pleaser, and with Spotify, giving the joy of music—to your family, friends, loved ones, or self—may be easier to give than you think.

From a Premium account to a Spotify-compatible wearable, there are plenty of holiday gift options to please everyone—from the pickiest listener to your own music-loving self.

For the bestie who’s always asking what song is playing
We recommend:
 a Spotify digital gift card

Don’t leave them out of the loop. A gentle nudge toward a Premium subscription means hours of ad-free podcasts, uninterrupted song listening, and more features that help keep a person up to date with the latest releases. A generous gift card will make that transition to Premium even smoother. Gift 12 months for $119.88, 6 months for $59.94, 3 months for $29.97, and 1 month for $9.99.

If you’re looking to keep up with the Joneses
We recommend:
 Spotify Premium for Family

The Joneses might not all agree with what to listen to at any given moment, but luckily they don’t have to, because *they* have unlimited access to Spotify’s audio library through their shared account. So why not you too? With a Spotify Premium for Family account, allow the young listeners in your house to keep the older generation savvy with what’s hot right now—and also get really into their parents’ throwback playlists. Bonus: Family master account holders in the US ($14.99 a month for up to six family members) get a Google Home Mini voice speaker as part of their plan for a limited time—so it’s a two-for-one.

For the family member who’s always misplacing their smartphone
We recommend: any smart home device

Forget that phone—with a new smart home device, you can access your music speaker with the sound of your voice. First, download Spotify. Then simply say the name, artist, playlist, or burning question, and the built-in assistant will answer. Plus, most smart home devices are compatible with Spotify Connect, so the music will surround you whenever, wherever.

For the college student who’s too stressed to playlist
We recommend: 
Spotify Premium for Students

We get it, it’s been a tough semester. But no matter how many essays, quizzes, tests, projects, theses, or finals you’ve conquered, there’s always time for a study playlist—or a night off with a movie. So treat yo’ self to Spotify Premium for Students and get access to Spotify Premium—and, if you’re in the US, Hulu and SHOWTIME—for a low monthly price that means you can still afford your textbooks.

For the fitness addict whose playlists are timed to a daily run
We recommend: 
a Spotify-compatible smartwatch

Some come with Spotify pre-installed, so all you have to do is point toward the tunes that get you going. With others, simply download the Spotify app. Either way, it’s a great way to play your music in style.

For the “It’s the thought that counts” friend
We recommend: 
Spotify’s relaunched free version

It’s like the mixtapes you once lovingly curated. Play songs in any order, skip all you want, discover new artists, and create your own playlists. The best part? It doesn’t cost a thing. Instruct them to simply download the app, add some of their favorite artists, and go.

No matter whether you’re buying for yourself or for others, check out our latest Spotify Singles Christmas songs to keep you in the holiday spirit, making your list and checking it twice.