Spotify rolls out brand pages
Spotify has begun testing brand pages, similar to those on other social networks, on its service as part of its strategy to make brands as influential as the artists and tastemakers that have been key in its recent shift to becoming a music discovery service.
Coca-Cola is the first brand to have a dedicated page on the service – similar to that of an artist – where it is inviting users to “curate music together”.
The brand has already been curating playlists named “Get up & Dance”, “Have a Happy Holiday” and “Every Song Has a Place”, featuring artists including Two Door Cinema Club, Robin Thicke and Run DMC.
A Spotify spokeswoman told Marketing Week: “This is something special that we have worked on with Coca-Cola due to our global partnership. We hope to start a small beta test for other brands within the coming months, but don’t have any further information to share at this stage.”
Coca-Cola signed its global deal with Spotify in April 2012. The partnership has seen the music service develop a range of apps for the soft drinks maker, which has previously told Marketing Week of its goal to become an “established music brand”.
In October Spotify’s global ad product strategy director Gary Liu told Marketing Week the music service was exploring new ad products, more integrated apps and brand profile pages as it looks to build the profile of brands on the platform and encourage users to listen to more music.
Earlier this month Spotify extended its ad-funded streaming service to iOS and Android users, allowing users to stream music for free on their mobiles and tablets. Shortly after the launch Spotify’s chief marketing and revenue officer Jeff Levick told Marketing Week 2014 will be its “biggest year for ad innovation”.