A changing of the guard is taking place at Spotify, heralding a new era for the audio streaming giant. Founder Daniel Ek is stepping down from his two-decade-long tenure as CEO to become the executive chairman, passing the operational command to a new generation of leaders.
The new guard will be led by co-CEOs Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström, starting January 1st. As the current co-presidents, they have already been commanding Spotify’s strategic and operational forces since 2023, making their promotion a formal confirmation of their authority.
Spotify has stated that this move “formalizes” the command structure that has proven effective over the past year. Ek confirmed this, noting that he had already delegated the management of daily campaigns to the incoming duo, ensuring a seamless transition of power.
In his new role as executive chairman, Ek will serve as the senior strategist, focusing on the long-term health and direction of the company. He will be an active leader, mapping out future campaigns in technology like AI and expanding Spotify’s influence into new global territories.
This changing of the guard is a deliberate and strategic move. It ensures that Spotify has strong, proven commanders leading its daily battles, while its founder and most experienced general focuses on winning the long war for the future of audio.