Starbucks and Spotify team up
My Starbucks Rewards members will now enjoy unique access to Starbucks music, and can even influence in-store playlists.
Starbucks has announced that it aims to establish a partnership with the leading music streaming service, linking its 7,000 company-operated stores in the U.S. with Spotify global users to offer a first-of-its-kind music ecosystem.
“For over 40 years, music has played a vital role in Starbucks Third Place experience – inspiring our partners and customers in unexpected ways that have helped to shape the global pop culture. And we are delighted and honored to bring Spotify directly to our customers,” Howard Schultz, chairman and CEO of Starbucks said.
“Throughout its history, Starbucks has worked closely with the music industry, offering a variety of artists a platform for their work. By connecting Spotify’s world-class streaming platform into our world-class store and digital ecosystem, we are reinventing the way our millions of global customers discover music.”
A phased rollout will go through US company-owned locations, and will be followed by rollouts in Canada and the United Kingdom. As part of the agreement, Spotify Premium will be promoted in these stores.
In addition, Spotify users will enjoy opportunities to obtain “Stars as Currency” for My Starbucks Rewards loyalty program. Spotify will also include a dedicated section on Spotify featuring new playlists from Starbucks and its most popular music from the past 20 years, available to all Spotify users.
“Starbucks has a rich music heritage and customers who are passionate music fans which makes us incredibly proud to be their music partner,” Daniel Ek, CEO of Spotify, said.
“Spotify has powered more than 25 Billion hours of listening around the world so far, and we’re looking forward to creating unique in-store music experiences while also making more than 20 years of popular Starbucks music available to both Starbucks customers and Spotify’s 60 Million global music fans.”
