Audio streaming platform Spotify has appointed Publicis to service its global media account, AdNews can confirm.
According to sources, this move was predicted as the brand was planning to part ways with its agency of seven years IPG's UM which won the brand's last pitch in 2017.
Spotify later released a statement confirming to AdNews that Publicis' newly created bespoke team, OneVibe, will be servicing the account in Australia as well as globally.
Spotify VP of marketing and partnerships Marc Hazan told AdNews the brand looks forward to a new chapter of brand media and performance marketing excellence with Publicis OneVibe.
“As Spotify’s business and ambitions evolve, embracing change is key to our creative edge as is doing everything we can to connect with an ever-expanding global audience of more than 602 million users in more than 180 markets," Hazan said.
Spotify is estimated to spend $240 million in global media in 2023, according to marketing research firm COMvergence. Spotify also has an in-house agency.
Spotify made several rounds of redundancies last year.
In January 2023, 600 people or 6% of its staff was made redundant and in June an additional 2% or about 200 people.
In December, 17% or about 1,500 Spotify employees found out they had been laid off.
Publicis gave no comment.
UM did not reply to AdNews' media request at the time of publishing.
UM late last month made a "small number" of redundancies in Sydney and Melbourne after a review. Among the movements national head of trading Andrew Murray left to explore new opportunities.
UM is currently defending the federal government's $160M master media agency account.
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