A Spotify executive described as “one of the most senior and best connected figures at Spotify’s UK HQ” has jumped ship to Apple.
Former BBC Radio 1 and Spotify employee Austin Daboh will act as the new Head of Editorial for the UK & Ireland at Apple Music’s London HQ. Daboh will shape Apple Music’s UK editorial and playlist ecosystem. In particular, he’ll be focusing on promoting new British artists.
Daboh joined Spotify from BBC Radio 1Xtra in 2016. His initial role at Spotify was as Senior Editor, Shows & Editorial. He was promoted last year as a “reflection of his successful brand-building.” He also enjoys “unrivaled relationships with influential artists, managers and record labels.” He resigned from Spotify this summer.
Two of his chief accomplishments at Spotify included launching the hip-hop/R&B playlists Who We Be. He also oversaw key playlist brands such as Hot Hits UK and New Music Friday.
At Apple, Daboh will be reunited with George Ergatoudis, Head of Music at Apple Music UK. Ergatoudis himself jumped ship from Spotify to Apple Music last year. He was previously Daboh’s boss and mentor at both BBC Radio 1 and Spotify.
Apple Music poaching staff from Spotify
Apple Music poaching employees from Spotify makes sense as the two compete with one another. In its latest quarterly earnings, Spotify revealed that it currently has 108 million paying subscribers. That’s approaching twice the number who subscribe to Apple Music, which is around 60 million at present.
Apple has also signed plenty of Apple Music employees from Daboh’s previous workplace BBC Radio 1. The most notable example is ex-BBC presenter Zane Lowe, who now works for Beats 1. Last year, Apple also hired hip-hop DJ Charlie Sloth, who previously worked as a presenter on both BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra.
Alongside Apple Music and Spotify, Amazon’s own music streaming service also can’t be forgotten. Thanks to its Echo devices, Amazon is making inroads in streaming music. Yesterday, the company launched its new lossless Amazon Music HD tier. In doing so, it offers a new feature that neither Apple nor Spotify currently offer.
Source: Music Business Worldwide
