Spotify has promoted Austin Daboh to the position of Head of Shows & Editorial in the UK, MBW can reveal.
The move is effective immediately, and will see the highly-rated exec oversee the strategic growth and development of Spotify’s Shows & Editorial initiatives in the territory.
Daboh will also continue to lead Spotify’s work in the UK urban music space.
Daboh succeeds his former boss, George Ergatoudis, in the position.
Ergatoudis left Spotify last month to become Head of the UK at Apple Music.
Since then, Spotify has appointed its own UK boss in the shape of former Vevo exec Tom Connaughton.
“Our mission was to get that Spotify logo in the middle of [artists’] brains, so when they had a new single coming out, or a sick idea to bring to life, Spotify was the first brand they’d think about.”
Austin Daboh (pictured) – speaking in November 2017
Austin Daboh joined Spotify in 2016 as Senior Editor, Shows & Editorial – moving over from heading up the music team at BBC Radio 1Xtra.
He has played an essential role in building relationships with artists, managers and labels in the UK, particularly in the urban music space.
Daboh has also built recognisable brands out of UK playlists, including Who We Be – which he brought to life as a live show at Alexandra Palace in November last year, and again in Birmingham last month.
Following Daboh’s promotion, MBW understands, James Foley will step up into the role of Team Lead Shows & Editorial in Spotify’s London office – focusing on day to day operations in the UK, and ensuring the execution of the UK curation strategy across the team.
Spotify confirmed both Daboh and Foley’s appointments when contacted by MBW, but did not offer further comment.
When interviewed by MBW’s Music Business UK magazine at the end of last year, Daboh was questioned about the opportunity he saw when initially making the leap from radio to Spotify.
He said: “Spotify was punching below its weight when it came to urban music in the UK and I knew that better than anyone.
“There were all these brands swimming around in those consumers’ minds – whether it was Nike, Converse, Wireless Festival or even just their Oyster Card.
“And it was the same when it came to artists: our mission was to get that Spotify logo in the middle of their brains, so when they had a new single coming out, or a sick idea to bring to life, Spotify was the first brand they’d think about.”Music Business Worldwide
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