Spotify has appointed a new Chief Content Officer – and she’s got a strong background in TV and movies.
Dawn Ostroff will be based in New York and lead all aspects of Spotify’s content partnerships across music, audio and video.
All of Spotify’s content team leads will report to Ostroff, MBW understands.
They include Troy Carter, Spotify’s Global Head of Creator Services, in addition to Nick Holmstén (Global Head of Shows & Editorial), Charlie Hellman (Head of Creator Marketplace) and Courtney Holt (Head of Studios & Video).
(Update: Spotify’s company line (via an official spokesperson) is that Troy Carter now reports to Dawn Ostroff. However, US-based senior sources within the company have told MBW today that Carter actually has a direct reporting line into Spotify CEO & Chairman, Daniel Ek. So there we go.)
Ostroff joins Spotify from Condé Nast where she served as President of Condé Nast Entertainment (CNE).
She succeeds Stefan Blom as CCO. Blom left Spotify earlier this year ahead of the company’s flotation on the New York Stock Exchange on April 3.
Ostroff launched CNE alongside Condé Nast CEO Bob Sauerberg in 2011 as a digital video, film, and TV business based on Conde Nast’s brands and assets.
CNE currently produces over 5,000 videos annually, garnering over 1 billion views a month.
In addition to CNE’s digital video division, Ostroff looked after the company’s feature film and TV operation. Her movie credits include Only the Brave, The Old Man and the Gun, Army of One and The First Monday in May.
Ostroff’s television production credits include Last Chance U, Vanity Fair Confidential, Gentlemen Lobsters, as well as The Fashion Fund and The New Yorker Presents.
Stefan Blom stepped up to Spotify’s Chief Content Officer in 2015, succeeding Ken Parks.
He then led a foray into original video productions at Spotify which was widely deemed to be unsuccessful. Spotify’s Head of Video Partnerships, Tom Calderone, exited the company in August 2017.
Recent high-level departures of industry-facing executives from Spotify have included those of George Ergatoudis, Angela Watts, Dave Rocco, Rob Harvey, Mark Williamson, Tuma Basa and Kevin Brown.
Head of Creator Services Troy Carter is strongly rumored to be leaving the company later this year, although this has never been confirmed.
Prior to joining Condé Nast, Dawn Ostroff was president of entertainment for The CW broadcast network—a joint venture of CBS and Warner Bros. that she helped launch in January 2006.
As President, she developed several hit series including Gossip Girl and The Vampire Diaries.
Her previous roles also include President of CBS subsidiary the UPN Network, where she developed America’s Next Top Model, Veronica Mars and Everybody Hates Chris.
Under her leadership, CNE has attracted Oscar, Critics’ Choice and Peabody Award nominations, and a BAFTA, Emmy and Producers Guild Award.Music Business Worldwide
