Spotify appoints James Duffett-Smith as Global Head of Publisher Relations

Spotify has created the new role of Global Head of Publisher Relations, which represents an important step towards recognising the important role of publishers and societies and deploying a consistent global strategy in that space, MBW reports.

The position is being filled by James Duffett-Smith, who was up until now Spotify’s Head of Licensing Business Affairs.

There are lingering tensions between publishers and music streaming services, stemming from the wide gap between what is being paid out to labels and what is being paid out to publishers.

In the USA, this has resulted in calls to re-balance the equation and give publishers a bigger share of streaming revenues, but it is extremely difficult to move away from a system that to an extent mirrored the traditional distribution of revenues for music sales. 

Spotify has been able to navigate those tensions better than most - Sony/ATV for example recently renewed its deal with the service and Martin Bandier stated that he was 'delighted' with the terms.

Duffett-Smith, thanks to his extensive expertise at Spotify and before that at Fox Interactive Media and as a solicitor at Pinsent Masons, has the skills to understand the complex underlying rights issues that - for better or worse - define this space.

(Andrea Leonelli)