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☆ Spotify to reduce staff by 17% in second layoff this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Small figurines are seen in front of displayed Spotify logo in this illustration taken February 11, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Ilustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSTOCKHOLM, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Spotify (SPOT.N) will reduce its total headcount by around 17% across the company, it said in an email on Monday, after laying of 6% of this staff in January citing higher costs. CEO Daniel Ek told Reuters at that time the company was still focusing on efficiencies to get more out of each dollar. "We debated making smaller reductions throughout 2024 and 2025," CEO Daniel Ek said in a mail to employees. Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee, writing by Anna Ringstrom, editing by Essi Lehto and Terje SolsvikOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Daniel Ek, Supantha Mukherjee, Anna Ringstrom, Essi Lehto, Terje Solsvik Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Thomson

☆ Spotify to Cut 1,500 Jobs After Spending Spree
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Adam Satariano | More About Adam Satariano | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Spotify said on Monday that it would cut nearly a fifth of its work force, at least the third round of layoffs this year, as it has struggled to become consistently profitable after spending aggressively to expand beyond music streaming into areas such as podcasting. “Economic growth has slowed dramatically and capital has become more expensive,” Mr. Ek said. “Despite our efforts to reduce costs this past year, our cost structure for where we need to be is still too big,” Mr. Ek added. Despite being the largest music streaming platform, Spotify has long struggled to be profitable because of the terms of licensing deals it has with record labels and music publishers. It struck expensive deals with well-known figures such as former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, as well as Prince Harry and wife, Meghan.

Persons: Daniel Ek, Mr, Ek, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Prince Harry, Meghan Organizations: Spotify

LONDON (AP) — Spotify says it's axing 17% of its global workforce, the music streaming service's third round of layoffs this year as it moves to slash costs while focusing on becoming profitable. Spotify had used cheap financing to expand the business and “invested significantly” in employees, content and marketing in 2020 and 2021, the blog post said. But Ek indicated that the company was caught out as central banks started hiking interest rates last year, which can slow economic growth. In June, it cut staff by another 2%, or about 200 workers, mainly in its podcast division. Tech companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta and IBM have announced hundreds of thousands of job cuts this year.

Persons: Daniel Ek, “, Ek, ” Organizations: Spotify, ”, Tech, Google, Microsoft, Meta, IBM Locations: ” Stockholm

☆ NHL roundup: Lightning's Andrei Vasilevskiy wins season debut
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +12 min

Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen scored for Boston, which had gained points in seven straight games since a 5-4 loss in Detroit on Nov. 4. Kiefer Sherwood had a goal and two assists for the Predators, who won their fourth straight game. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored one goal and added two assists, while Evander Kane and Evan Bouchard also scored for the Oilers. Johnathan Kovacevic also scored and Cayden Primeau made 31 saves for Montreal, which won its second straight road game. Kirill Kaprizov had a goal and an assist and Joel Eriksson Ek also scored for Minnesota, which lost its sixth straight game.

Persons: Andrei Vasilevskiy, James Guillory, Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, Brandon Hagel, Luke Glendening, Hagel, Stefan Noesen, Michael Bunting, Antti Raanta, Vasilevskiy hadn't, Conn Smythe, Kevin Korchinski, Connor Bedard's, Ilya Samsonov, Korchinski, Jason Dickinson, Arvid Soderblom, Nicholas Robertson, Calle Jarnkrok, Ryan Reaves, Max Domi, Alex DeBrincat, Compher, Robby Fabbri, Dylan Larkin, David Perron, Shayne Gostisbehere, Ville Husso, Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen, David Pastrnak, Jeremy Swayman, Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Zibanejad, Kreider, Igor Shesterkin, Sean Couturier, Luke Evangelista, Filip Forsberg, Louis, Kiefer Sherwood, Ryan O'Reilly, Yakov Trenin, Spencer Stastney, Alexandre Carrier, Kevin Lankinen, Pavel Buchnevich, Robert Thomas, Jake Neighbours, Kevin Fiala, Cam Talbot, Anze Kopitar, Arthur Kaliyev, Quinton Byfield, Adrian Kempe, Trevor Moore, Drew Doughty, Kopitar, Marcel Dionne, Radko Gudas, Alex Killorn, John Gibson, Elvis Merzlikins, Merzlikins, Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Eric Robinson, Boone Jenner, Alexander Holtz, Akira Schmid, Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, Stuart Skinner, Ryan Nugent, Hopkins, Evander Kane, Evan Bouchard, Zach Hyman, Charlie Lindgren, Cole Caufield, Jesse Ylonen, Johnathan Kovacevic, Cayden Primeau, William Eklund, Tomas Hertl, Mike Hoffman, Mackenzie Blackwood, Eklund, Nick Suzuki, Hoffman, Ylonen, Blackwood, Connor Hellebuyck, Nino Niederreiter, Nikolaj Ehlers, Adam Lowry, Hellebuyck, Sergei Bobrovsky, Aleksander Barkov, Blake Coleman, Elias Lindholm, Yegor Sharagovich, A.J, Greer, Adam Ruzicka, Calgary's Mikael Backlund, Nazem Kadri, Andrew Mangiapane, Jacob Markstrom, Wyatt Johnston, Jason Robertson, Joe Pavelski, Jamie Benn, Evgenii, Jake Oettinger, Kurtis MacDermid's, Ross Colton, Valeri Nichushkin, Alexandar Georgiev, Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek, Filip Gustavsson, Alex Tuch, Jeff Skinner, Tuch, Kyle Okposo, Victor Olofsson, Ukko, Pekka Luukkonen, Sidney Crosby, Lars Eller, Alex Nedeljkovic, Mathew Barzal, Anders Lee, Kyle Palmieri, Oliver Wahlstrom, Simon Holmstrom, Alexander Romanov, Brock Nelson, Semyon Varlamov, Drake Batherson, Tim Stutzle, Mathieu Joseph, Anton Forsberg, Sam Lafferty, Thatcher Demko, Teddy Blueger, Dakota Joshua, Nils Hoglander, Ilya Mikheyev, Nils Aman, Conor Garland, Tye Kartye, Joey Daccord Organizations: Tampa Bay, Carolina Hurricanes, PNC Arena, Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa, Hurricanes, NHL, Blackhawks, Maple Leafs, Chicago, Toronto, Red Wings, Bruins, Detroit, Boston, Rangers, Flyers, Philadelphia, Metropolitan Division, Blues, Nashville, St, Predators, Ducks, Los, Anaheim, The Buffalo Sabres, Kings, Blue Jackets, Devils, Oilers, Capitals, Edmonton, Washington, Canadiens, Montreal, San, Jets, Panthers, Winnipeg, The Jets, Vezina, Florida, Flames, Calgary, Dallas, Stars, Avalanche, Colorado, Minnesota, Penguins, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Sabres, Islanders, Senators, Ottawa, Canucks, Vancouver, Seattle, Thomson Locations: Raleigh , North Carolina, USA, Raleigh, N.C, Tampa Bay, Toronto, Detroit, New York, Los Angeles, Columbus, Newark , N.J, Jose, San Jose, Winnipeg, Sunrise, Fla, Florida, Saint Paul, Dakota

☆ PHOTOS: The adorable cats and dogs that have kept Ukrainian troops company in front-line trenches
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Photos show the dogs and cats Ukrainian soldiers keep as pets on the front lines. A Ukrainian soldier caress a cat while standing guard at a trench in Yasnogorodka village of Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 20, 2022. Dogukan Keskinkilic/Anadolu Agency via Getty ImagesArtyom, a Ukrainian soldier, pets a cat in a trench on the front line on December 12, 2021, in Zolote, Ukraine. Brendan Hoffman/Getty ImagesUkraine is certainly not the first battlefield where soldiers have kept cats, dogs, and other pets. Dogukan Keskinkilic/Anadolu Agency via Getty ImagesFor some Ukrainian troops, pets have come to them, and some others are discovered on the battlefield.

Persons: —, caress, Dogukan, Brendan Hoffman, Tom, ANATOLII STEPANOV, Ignacio Marin, King Danylo, Wojciech Grzedzinski, BERNADETT SZABO, Muhammed Enes Yildirim, Magnus Ek, Violeta Santos Moura, Coke, Diego Herrera Carcedo Organizations: Service, Anadolu Agency, Getty, National Army Museum, Ukrainian Military Forces, Getty Images, Ukrainian Army, REUTERS, Coke, Ukrainian Armed Forces Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian, Yasnogorodka, Kyiv, Zolote, Russian, Sevastopol, Russia, Verkhnetoretskoye, Donetsk, AFP, Donetsk Oblast, New York, Donbass, Afghanistan, Iraq, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ugledar, Donetsk region, Avdiivka, Bakhmut

☆ Spotify plans to split with its longtime ad agency as it looks beyond music streaming for growth
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Spotify is quietly looking for a new ad agency to handle its media planning and buying as it takes steps to broaden its business beyond music and podcasts and push further into performance marketing. The audio streaming company is planning to part with its global agency of record since 2017 , ad holding company IPG Mediabrands' UM, according to two knowledgeable sources. Spotify shared a statement saying: "Today, UM is Spotify's agency of record. In October, Spotify posted an operating profit, its first since 2021, as user and advertising growth along with price hikes boosted results. Spotify has since pivoted away from heavy spending on podcasts and made some of its shows available on other platforms to spur audience growth.

Persons: Daniel Ek, Publicis, Joe Rogan, Michelle Obama, Dawn Ostroff Organizations: Spotify, UM, Business Locations: North America

☆ Daniel Ek's daily routine: Spotify's Swedish CEO does his best thinking on morning walks and sometimes doesn't start his work day until 11 a.m.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Kylie Kirschner | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek starts his day later than many other major CEOs. After his walk, Ek sets time aside to read for 30 minutes to an hour — sometimes the news, but also an "ever-rotating stack of books." AdvertisementAdvertisementEk's work day usually starts around 10:30 a.m., but sometimes might even start later. On a 2020 episode of the Tim Ferriss show, Ek said he didn't start his work day until 11 a.m. that morning. During the work day, Ek likes to keep his calendar relatively open, unless he's traveling and can't keep to his normal schedule.

Persons: Daniel Ek, Ek, —, he's, — Read, Tim Cook, Steve Squeri, he'll, Tim Ferriss, Forbes Organizations: Service, Apple, Spotify Locations: Swedish, unwind

☆ NHL roundup: Coyotes' Connor Ingram stops Kraken in SO
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/4] Nov 7, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Coyotes goaltender Connor Ingram (39) makes a save on Seattle Kraken defenseman Adam Larsson (6) in the overtime at Mullett Arena. Eeli Tolvanen had a goal and an assist for Seattle, and Justin Schultz and Jaden Schwartz also tallied goals. It was the second overtime winner at home this season for Necas. Panarin finished with his seventh multi-point game this season as the Rangers improved to 7-0-1 in their past eight games. Jets 5, Blues 2Kyle Connor scored two goals and added an assist as visiting Winnipeg defeated St. Louis.

Persons: Connor Ingram, Adam Larsson, Matt Kartozian, Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz, Matias Maccelli, Barrett Hayton, Nick Bjugstad, Eeli Tolvanen, Justin Schultz, Jaden Schwartz, Matty Beniers, Joey Daccord, Bjugstad, Daccord, Keller, Martin Necas, Tony DeAngelo, Brady Skjei, Alex Tuch, Rasmus Dahlin, Matt Tomkins, Tomkins, Nikita Kucherov, Nick Suzuki, Michael Pezzetta, Christian Dvorak, Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek, Pat Maroon, Vinni Lettieri, Marc, Andre Fleury, Noah Dobson, Oliver Wahlstrom, Semyon Varlamov, Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, Chris Kreider, Trocheck, Ville, Michael Rasmussen, Klim Kostin, Andrew Copp, Kyle Connor, Louis, Mark Scheifele, Alex Iafallo, Josh Morrissey, Neal Pionk, Cole Perfetti, Connor Hellebuyck, Robert Thomas, Brayden Schenn, Jordan Binnington, Kadri, Noah Hanifin, Blake Coleman, Dillon Dube, Calgary's Jacob Markstrom, Nick DeSimone, Sharangovich, Michael McCarron, Kiefer Sherwood Organizations: Arizona Coyotes, Seattle, Mullett, Coyotes, Arizona, Arizona State, Hurricanes, Sabres, Buffalo, Necas, Canadiens, NHL, Montreal, Ohio, Islanders, New York, Minnesota, Rangers, Red Wings, New, Detroit, New York's, Jets, Blues, Winnipeg, St, Flames, Calgary, Nashville, Predators, Thomson Locations: Tempe , Arizona, USA, Tempe, Ariz, Carolina, Raleigh, N.C, Tampa, Minnesota, New, Elmont, Ville Husso

☆ Nepal earthquake: More tremors occur three days after deadly quake
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Gopal Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KATHMANDU, Nov 6 (Reuters) - A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck Nepal on Monday, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre said, followed by another slightly weaker temblor, injuring three people, just days after 153 perished in the country's worst quake since 2015. The epicentre of Monday's bigger earthquake was in Ramidanda in Jajarkot district, the same location as Friday's temblor, the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre said. [1/6]A woman stands in front of her collapsed house after an earthquake in Jajarkot, Nepal November 6, 2023. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar Acquire Licensing RightsJajarkot district official Ek Raj Upadhayay said buildings with damage after Friday's quake may have been further compromised, but no details were available. The quake was the deadliest in the Himalayan country since 2015, when about 9,000 people were killed in two earthquakes.

Persons: Satosh Rokka, temblor, Navesh, Ek Raj Upadhayay, Gopal Sharma, Chandni Shah, Mrigank Dhaniwala, Toby Chopra, Bernadette Baum Organizations: National Earthquake Monitoring, Research Centre, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: KATHMANDU, Nepal, European, Ramidanda, Jajarkot district, Paink, Jajarkot, New Delhi, India, Kathmandu, Bengaluru

☆ NHL roundup: Knights extend franchise-record perfect start
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

Paul Cotter and Ivan Barbashev also scored goals, Jack Eichel had two assists and Logan Thompson finished with 26 saves for the Golden Knights. Pheonix Copley made 24 saves in his second start as the Kings won for the third time in four games. Ryan Johansen scored twice, Rantanen had a goal and three assists and Cale Makar added a goal and two assists. Zemgus Girgensons added a goal for Buffalo, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 34 saves in his first start of the season. Blake Coleman scored for the Flames, who have lost three straight games.

Persons: Shea Theodore, Brayden McNabb, Stephen R, Paul Cotter, Ivan Barbashev, Jack Eichel, Logan Thompson, Noah Cates, Cam Atkinson, Carter Hart, Jeremy Swayman, Pavel Zacha, Matthew Poitras, Trent Frederic, Petr Mrazek, Kopitar, Trevor Lewis, Trevor Moore, Blake Lizotte, Kevin Fiala, Adrian Kempe, Pheonix Copley, Jack McBain, Nick Bjugstad, Clayton Keller, Phillip Di Giuseppe, Nils Hoglander, Thatcher Demko, Ilya Mikheyev, Colton Sissons, Kiefer Sherwood, Jordan Eberle, Eberle, Jared McCann, Jaden Schwartz, Tye Kartye, McCann, Dylan Larkin, Joe Veleno, Shayne Gostisbehere, Alex DeBrincat, Nathan Mackinnon, Bowen Byram, Mikko Rantanen, Ryan Johansen, Rantanen, Cale Makar, Ross Colton, Alexandar Georgiev, Cal Clutterbuck, Simon Holmstrom, Kyle Palmieri, Anders Lee, Noah Dobson, Jean, Gabriel Pageau, Ilya Sorokin, Anthony Stolarz, Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Reinhart, Kevin Stenlund, Fabian Zetterlund, Mackenzie, Jonas Johansson, Johansson, Alex Barre, Boulet, Nick Paul, Nikita Kucherov, Tage Thompson, Jeff Skinner, Alex Tuch, Casey Mittelstadt, Zemgus Girgensons, Pekka Luukkonen, Mathieu Joseph, Vladimir Tarasenko, Ottawa's Jakob Chychrun, Josh Norris, Anton Forsberg, Joonas Korpisalo, Ryan Hartman, Mats Zuccarello, Joel Eriksson Ek, Jake Middleton, Kirill Kaprizov, Filip Gustavsson, Warren Foegele, Evan Bouchard, Evander Kane, Jack Campbell, Connor McDavid, Morgan Rielly, Auston Matthews, John Tavares, William Nylander, Joseph Woll, Alex Ovechkin, Darcy Kuemper, Frank Vatrano, Anaheim's Ryan Strome, Brett Leason, Lukas Dostal, Adam Fantilli, Emil Bemstrom's, Jack Roslovic, Fantilli, Dostal, Jack Hughes, Tyler Toffoli's, Hughes, Jose's Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, Edmonton's Connor McDavid, Justin Barron, Mike Matheson, Cayden Primeau, Connor Hellebuyck, Louis, Kyle Connor, Mason Appleton, David Gustafsson, Morgan Barron, Pavel Buchnevich, Robert Thomas, Jordan Binnington, Erik Gustafsson, Igor Shesterkin, Alexis Lafreniere, Chris Kreider, Filip Chytil, Shesterkin, Blake Coleman, Jacob Markstrom, Jason Robertson, Thomas Harley, Evgenii Dadonov, Wyatt Johnston, Jake Oettinger, Bryan Rust, Alex Nedeljkovic Organizations: Vegas Golden Knights, Philadelphia Flyers, Mobile, NHL, Stanley, Golden Knights, Philadelphia, Bruins, Blackhawks, Chicago, Coyotes, Los Angeles, Los, Kings, Canucks, Predators, Vancouver, Nashville, Red Wings, Seattle, Detroit, Wings, Avalanche, Islanders, New, Cal, Panthers, Sharks, Hurricanes, Tampa Bay, Senators, Buffalo, Ottawa, Sabres, Oilers, Edmonton, Maple Leafs, Capitals, Toronto, Washington, Ducks, Blue Jackets, Columbus, Nationwide, . Blue Jackets, Canadiens, New Jersey, Montreal, New Jersey's, Jets, Blues, Winnipeg, St, Rangers, Flames, Penguins, Thomson Locations: Las Vegas , Nevada, USA, Las Vegas, Vegas, Boston, Arizona, Los Angeles, Colorado, New York, Florida, San Jose, Sunrise, Fla, Mackenzie Blackwood, Carolina, Minnesota, Anaheim, New, Calgary, Dallas, Pittsburgh

The company posted a third-quarter operating income of 32 million euros ($34.1 million), its first quarterly profit since 2021, helped by a higher gross margin and lower marketing and personnel costs. "We believe moving forward, we should see pretty consistent growth in our operating income," its Chief Financial Officer Paul Vogel said. It forecast operating income of 37 million euros in the current quarter. Revenue rose 11% to 3.36 billion euros, beating estimates of 3.33 billion. Analysts were expecting a forecast of 232.4 million premium subscribers and revenue of 3.69 billion euros.

Persons: Eric Gaillard, Paul Vogel, Daniel Ek, Vogel, Supantha Mukherjee, Kirsten Donovan, Jan Harvey Organizations: Spotify, Cannes Lions International, Creativity, REUTERS, Companies, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Cannes, France, STOCKHOLM, LSEG, Stockholm

☆ Jackets prevail in OT in back-and-forth affair with Wild
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Field Level Media | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Dakota Mermis and Marcus Johansson each notched one goal and one assist, while Mats Zuccarello and Jonas Brodin also scored for the Wild, who have lost two straight games. Joel Eriksson Ek and Pat Maroon collected two assists apiece and goalie Filip Gustavsson stopped 49 shots. But Jenner buried a rebound just under three minutes later to card his fourth of the season. The Blue Jackets were without Patrik Laine, who was injured in the final seconds of Friday's win over the Calgary Flames. Rasmus Andersson was handed a four-game suspension for the hit, which has Laine sidelined on a day-to-day basis.

Persons: Adam Fantilli, Jack Roslovic, Minn, Justin Danforth, Kent Johnson, Boone Jenner, Elvis Merzlikins, Dakota Mermis, Marcus Johansson, Mats Zuccarello, Jonas Brodin, Joel Eriksson Ek, Pat Maroon, Filip Gustavsson, Roslovic, Columbus, Danforth, Johnson, Mermis, Zuccarello, Ryan Hartman, Ivan Provorov, Brodin, Jenner, Johansson, Patrik Laine, Rasmus Andersson, Laine Organizations: NHL, Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, Blue Jackets, Dakota, Columbus, Fantilli, Calgary Flames, Thomson Locations: Saint Paul, Minnesota

☆ NHL roundup: Knights' season-opening surge makes history
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

Vegas stretched its season-opening winning streak to six games, the longest by a defending Stanley Cup champion in league history. Justin Schultz scored for Seattle, which has tallied more than one goal only once in six games this season to drop to 1-4-1. Maple Leafs 4, Lightning 3 (OT)John Tavares scored the game-winning goal in overtime as Toronto rallied past host Tampa Bay. Predators 5, Sharks 1Tommy Novak scored two goals and Juuse Saros made 31 saves to propel host Nashville past San Jose. Marchand scored goals in the second and third periods after recording an assist.

Persons: Nicolas Roy, Laurent Brossoit, James Carey Lauder, Marc Stone, Paul Cotter, Vegas, Cotter, Michael Amadio, Connor Bedard, Artturi Lehkonen, Logan O'Connor, Nathan MacKinnon, Ryan Johansen, Mikko Rantanen, Fredrik Olofsson, Alexandar Georgiev, Jesperi, Jaccob Slavin, Brent Burns, Michael Bunting, Stefan Noesen, Pyotr Kochetkov, Jonathan Quick, Artemi Panarin, Kaapo Kakko, Alexis Lafreniere, Filip Chytil, K'Andre Miller, Justin Schultz, Philipp Grubauer, Joe Veleno, Dylan Larkin, Shayne Gostisbehere, David Perron, Ville Husso, Jake Sanderson, Ridly Greig, Joonas Korpisalo, Karel Vejmelka, Jason Zucker, Clayton Keller, Frank Vatrano, Lukas Dostal, Jeff Skinner, Mattias Samuelsson, Dylan Cozens, Eric Comrie, Comrie, Semyon Varlamov, Cole Caufield, Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Darcy Kuemper, Sean Monahan, Brendan Gallagher, Dylan Strome, Kuemper, Andrei Kuzmenko, Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, Carson Soucy, Brock Boeser, . Miller, Casey DeSmith, Sam Reinhart, Aleksander Barkov, Sergei Bobrovsky, John Tavares, Tavares, William Nylander, Nikita Kucherov, Alex Barre, Boulet, Adam Fantilli, Jack Roslovic, Minn, Justin Danforth, Kent Johnson, Boone Jenner, Elvis Merzlikins, Dakota Mermis, Marcus Johansson, Mats Zuccarello, Jonas Brodin, Joel Eriksson Ek, Pat Maroon, Filip Gustavsson, Joe Pavelski, Wyatt Johnston, Jamie Benn, Roope Hintz, Tyler Sequin, Scott Wedgewood, Travis Konecny, Sean Walker, Joel Farabee, Noah Cates, Samuel Ersson, Tommy Novak, Nashville's Kiefer Sherwood, Luke Evangelista, Samuel Fagemo, Tomas Hertl, Mackenzie Blackwood, Brandon Saad, Louis, Jake Neighbours, Colton Parayko, Kasperi Kapanen, Robert Thomas, Jordan Binnington, Evgeni Malkin, Radim Zohorna, Tristan Jarry, Saad, Mark Scheifele, Connor Hellebuyck, Josh Morrissey's, Stuart Skinner's, Darnell Nurse, Evan Bouchard, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, didn't, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Marchand, Pastrnak, Morgan Geekie, Derek Forbort, Jeremy Swayman, Alex Laferriere, Carl Grundstrom, Cam Talbot, Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown Organizations: Vegas Golden Knights, Winnipeg Jets, Canada Life, USA, Chicago Blackhawks, Stanley, Edmonton Oilers, Ottawa Senators, Golden Knights, Chicago, United, Blackhawks, Avalanche, Hurricanes, Colorado, Carolina, Rangers, Seattle, Red Wings, Senators, Ottawa, Detroit, Coyotes, Ducks, Arizona, Anaheim, Islanders, Buffalo, Sabres, New Jersey Devils, Canadiens, Capitals, Montreal, Washington, Canucks, Panthers, Florida, Maple Leafs, Toronto, Tampa Bay, Leafs, Brayden, Blue Jackets, NHL, Dakota, Flyers, Dallas, Philadelphia, Sharks, Nashville, Penguins, Pittsburgh, Blues, Jets, Oilers, Winnipeg, Edmonton, McDavid, Scheifele, Bruins, Thomson Locations: Winnipeg , Manitoba, Vegas, Denver, Colorado, New York, Detroit, Tempe, Ariz, Vancouver, Florida, Sunrise, Fla, Tampa, Columbus, Minnesota, Saint Paul, San Jose, Pittsburgh, Scheifele, Boston, Los Angeles

☆ YouTube wants to launch an AI-powered tool that lets you sound like your favorite singer, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Polly Thompson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

YouTube wants to launch a AI feature to let users make music using their favorite singers' voices. It's been delayed by ongoing talks with record companies about the rights needed to train AI software. The arrival of AI-generated music has created significant legal issues for the music industry. The new tools are aimed at streamlining the creative process for YouTube users. The AI music function could potentially give YouTube users the ability to recreate any song with their favorite musician's voice, or create entirely new music replicating a singer.

Persons: It's, —, didn't, Alexander Ross, that's, Drake, Munch ”, ”, Daniel Ek, Grimes, Elon Musk, who's Organizations: YouTube, Service, Bloomberg, Spotify

☆ HealthCaters enables people to screen themselves at home for preventable diseases. Check out the 14-slide pitch deck it used to raise $1.2 million.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Riddhi Kanetkar | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A startup that offers personalized health screenings for individuals and employees has just raised $1.2 million in fresh funds. Berlin-based HealthCaters, which was founded three years ago, has developed a home-testing kit so that users can screen themselves for preventable diseases. The startup's app, which is also powered by AI, then suggests personalized health guidelines based on the results of these screenings. Based on these results, medical coaches at the startup create an individual health plan for patients. With the fresh funding, HealthCaters will double down on its business-to-business offerings, and eye a launch in the UK market.

Persons: Tatyana Eliseeva, aren't, Daniel Ek, Dr, Lilia Kruse, HealthCaters Organizations: IBM, DvH Ventures Locations: Berlin, HealthCaters, Germany, Europe

☆ Mark Zuckerberg has embraced a 'martial arts view of the world,' says Spotify CEO Daniel Ek
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Nidhi Pandurangi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Mark Zuckerberg has embraced a "martial arts view of the world," says Spotify CEO Daniel Ek. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementAdvertisementMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who spent the summer getting shredded and talking about a cage fight with Elon Musk, has embraced a "martial arts view of the world." That's according to Spotify CEO Daniel Ek, who discussed the public's perception of Zuckerberg with Forbes in a story published on Tuesday. In August 2022, Zuckerberg spoke about his martial arts journey on an episode of the "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast, saying he found the sport to be both physically and intellectually engaging.

Persons: Mark Zuckerberg, Daniel Ek . Ek, Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, —, Daniel Ek, Ek, Joe Rogan, Insider's Jyoti Mann, Dan Schulman, Krav Maga, Joanna Pineda Organizations: Forbes, Service, PayPal, Matrix Group, hapkido Locations: California, Meta

☆ Spotify founder Daniel Ek says there are 3 versions of his friend Mark Zuckerberg: 'The Social Network' Zuck, 'Evil' Zuck, and this new persona we're seeing today
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Spotify's founder says the world has met three different versions of Mark Zuckerberg over the years. There's "The Social Network" Mark, "Cambridge Analytica" Mark and the Mark we're seeing today. Daniel Ek told Forbes that today's Zuckerberg "is a lot more authentic in his public persona." AdvertisementAdvertisementSpotify founder Daniel Ek says the public has been entreated to three different versions of Mark Zuckerberg over the years. But Ek told Forbes that the Zuckerberg of today is a lot different from the past two versions.

Persons: Mark Zuckerberg, Mark, Daniel Ek, Forbes, today's Zuckerberg, —, Ek, Ek — who's, Zuckerberg, Jessie Eisenberg's, Eisenberg, He's, he's, Joe Rogan, Rogan, Meta Organizations: Cambridge, Service, Facebook, Harvard, Social, Academy, Meta Locations: Swedish, Cambridge

☆ Spotify won't remove all AI-generated music despite previously pulling some AI tracks from the platform
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

He said the use of AI in the music industry would likely be debated for years. Ek told the outlet there was a debatable middle ground where AI-generated music was influenced by, but did not mimic, an existing artist. The Spotify boss added that the use of AI in the music industry would likely be debated for years. Several artists have criticized this type of AI music. During an appearance on the "Full Send" podcast, Ice Cube said he would sue "the people and the platform" who made and distributed AI-generated music in his style.

Persons: Daniel Ek, Ek, —, Drake, Spotify's, it's Organizations: Spotify, BBC, Service, BBC News, Apple Music, YouTube

☆ Spotify will use AI to replicate podcasters' voices and translate them to other languages
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Ashley Capoot | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek joins author and comedian Trevor Noah to discuss the future of storytelling at Spotify Beach in Cannes, France, on June 20, 2023. Spotify on Monday announced a new artificial intelligence-powered feature that can translate podcasts into different languages using the host's own voice. The technology can create "realistic synthetic voices" from just a few seconds of speech, OpenAI said in a release. Spotify said it will help make the podcast listening experience more authentic and natural by maintaining podcasters' "distinctive speech characteristics." Spotify said it plans to make the feature accessible for more creators and languages in the future.

Persons: Daniel Ek, Trevor Noah, OpenAI, Dax Shepard, Lex Fridman, Monica Padman, Steven Bartlett, Bill Simmons, Trevor Noah's Organizations: Spotify Beach, Spotify Locations: Cannes, France

☆ No, it's not possible to make $1,200 a month by posting 30-second tracks on Spotify – its CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Tom Carter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Boss Daniel Ek said the lucrative side hustle wasn't possible as it was "not how our royalty system works." Spotify is battling a wave of fake music being uploaded to the platform, much of it generated by AI. before adding: "But seriously, that's not quite how our royalty system works." Separately, a Swedish newspaper last week reported that gangs were using fake Spotify streams to launder money. The rappers would then collect royalty payments for their songs from Spotify, effectively laundering the money.

Persons: Morgan, Boss Daniel Ek, Daniel Ek, that's, Drake Organizations: Spotify, Service, JPMorgan, Financial, Columbia House, Universal Music, Swedish, Svenska Dagbladet Locations: Wall, Silicon, Swedish, Svenska

The number of monthly active users rose to 551 million in the second quarter, beating Spotify's guidance and analysts' forecast of 526.8 million. Premium subscribers, who account for most of the company's revenue, rose 17% to 220 million, topping estimates of 216.6 million, according to IBES data from Refinitiv. However, quarterly revenue was 3.18 billion euros ($3.51 billion), below analysts' estimate of 3.21 billion euros. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo"If we have user growth, the revenue growth eventually comes - that's the lesson been learned at Spotify and we have seen it over and over," Ek said. Spotify expects premium subscribers to reach 224 million this quarter and revenue of 3.3 billion euros.

Persons: Daniel Ek, Brendan McDermid, Ek, Paul Vogel, Supantha Mukherjee, Louise Heavens, Mark Potter Organizations: Spotify, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: STOCKHOLM, New York, U.S, Stockholm

☆ Spotify’s awkward three-way dance leads to slip-up
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, July 25 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Spotify (SPOT.N) is caught between the expectations of investors and major music labels. One bullish argument for Spotify’s stock is that higher prices will mean higher margins over time. First, some of Spotify’s customers pay annually, which means the price hike might take a while to come through. He’s locked in a long-term standoff with major labels like Universal Music Group (UMG.AS), which currently grab the overwhelming majority of Spotify’s revenue. In other words, Spotify’s future may be rosier than Ek is willing to let on.

Persons: Daniel Ek, Ek, coy, He’s, Karen Kwok, Liam Proud, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, Spotify, Universal Music, Twitter, Thales, Thomson Locations: Spain

☆ Your monthly Spotify bill is going up for the first time in over a decade
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Haley Tenore | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

All Spotify Premium users will see a price increase, the first since its 2011 US launch. The plans will increase by $1, except for Spotify Duo, which will go up by $2. On Monday, Spotify announced that prices for its premium subscriptions will be increasing in the US and several other countries. Spotify Premium users will be greeted with this message informing them of the price change, upon opening the app. Spotify's CEO warned usWhile it's never fun when a service raises it's prices, Spotify's increase shouldn't come as a surprise.

Persons: Spotify's, Haley Tenore, it's, Daniel Ek Organizations: Spotify, Spotify Duo, Wall Street Journal, YouTube, Apple, Netflix Locations: Canada

☆ TikTok is hitting the accelerator on its Spotify rival as it tests music streaming in 3 new markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Dan Whateley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The TikTok spokesperson also said the company will have "more news to share on the launch of TikTok Music in the coming months." With TikTok Music, the company can connect the dots between music discovery and audio streaming. TikTok Music users can sync their accounts directly to TikTok, making it easy to hear a song snippet and then click over to stream the full track. TikTok Music is set to eventually replace Resso in the latter two markets. Outside streaming, TikTok has been experimenting with other ways to make money from its influence over music.

Persons: TikTok, Jonny Kaps, we've, Daniel Ek, ByteDance, Resso Organizations: Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok Locations: Australia, Mexico, Singapore, Brazil, Indonesia, India

☆ Check out this $110 million tech campus being built in Lithuania — the largest in Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The development, from Lithuanian infrastructure firm Tech Zity, is inspired by British renovation projects like the Battersea Power Station and Tate Modern art gallery. Tech ZityLithuania is building a huge tech campus — Europe's largest — in the capital of Vilnius, as it looks to become the new tech capital of the Baltics. Lithuania's growing tech sceneLithuania's tech ecosystem has grown dramatically over the past decade, Darius Zakaitis, Tech Zity's founder, told CNBC. Tech Zity manages three tech campuses in Vilnius, including Tech Park, Tech Loft, and Tech Spa, which are home to companies like Google, Bored Panda and Kilo Health. Currently occupying 20,000 square meters, Tech Zity plans to reach 80,000 square meters over time, considering new campuses, existing locations, and other projects.

Persons: Darius Zakaitis, Zakaitis, Tech Zity, Daniel Ek, Tom, Kevin, Vineted Organizations: Tech, Battersea Power, Tate, Tech Zity, New, Vilnius, Tech Zity's, CNBC, Nord, Google, Kilo Health, Tech Zity U.S, Netflix, Spotify, Nord Security, Summit, Accel Locations: Lithuanian, Battersea, Tech Zity Lithuania, Vilnius, Baltics, Lithuania, Paris, Europe, Baltic, Nord, France, Germany, Lisbon, Portugal, EQT, Russia

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