Spotify founder and CEO Daniel Ek will step down in January to become executive chairman as the company embraces a new co-CEO structure aimed at strengthening its market position and boosting profit margins. Ek, who launched Spotify in 2006 and transformed it into the world’s largest music streaming platform, will shift focus to capital allocation and long-term strategy. He described his new role as moving “from a player to a coach,” highlighting his intent to remain deeply involved in the company’s direction.
The leadership transition introduces Gustav Soderstrom, chief product and technology officer, and Alex Norstrom, chief business officer, as co-CEOs. Both have been with Spotify for over 15 years, overseeing technology, product development, subscriptions, advertising, and content businesses. They will jointly report to Ek while steering Spotify through intensifying competition with Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music.
Spotify currently leads the global music streaming industry with nearly 700 million monthly users and a catalog of more than 100 million tracks. Apple Music trails significantly with around 90 million subscribers, while YouTube and Amazon leverage video integration and bundled services to attract audiences. Despite its dominance, Spotify continues to face challenges from rising artist payout demands and thinner margins in its ad-supported tier.
The company reported its first annual profit in 2024 after implementing price hikes and cost-cutting strategies. Global recorded music revenue reached $29.6 billion last year, with streaming surpassing $20 billion for the first time, according to IFPI’s Global Music Report.
While some analysts see the co-CEO structure as a way to handle Spotify’s growing complexity, others warn it could create blurred leadership lines. Still, Ek’s continued presence as executive chairman underscores his commitment to shaping Spotify’s future as it enters a new chapter in its journey from startup to global giant.


SpaceX Seeks FCC Approval for Massive Solar-Powered Satellite Network to Support AI Data Centers
Boeing Secures New Labor Contract With Former Spirit AeroSystems Employees
Sandisk Stock Soars After Blowout Earnings and AI-Driven Outlook
Palantir Stock Jumps After Strong Q4 Earnings Beat and Upbeat 2026 Revenue Forecast
Nvidia’s $100 Billion OpenAI Investment Faces Internal Doubts, Report Says
Denso Cuts Profit Forecast Amid U.S. Tariffs and Rising Costs
Anthropic Eyes $350 Billion Valuation as AI Funding and Share Sale Accelerate
CK Hutchison Unit Launches Arbitration Against Panama Over Port Concessions Ruling
Elon Musk’s SpaceX Acquires xAI in Historic Deal Uniting Space and Artificial Intelligence
Elon Musk’s Empire: SpaceX, Tesla, and xAI Merger Talks Spark Investor Debate
Oracle Plans $45–$50 Billion Funding Push in 2026 to Expand Cloud and AI Infrastructure
Apple Faces Margin Pressure as Memory Chip Prices Surge Amid AI Boom
Jensen Huang Urges Taiwan Suppliers to Boost AI Chip Production Amid Surging Demand
OpenAI Reportedly Eyes Late-2026 IPO Amid Rising Competition and Massive Funding Needs
NRW Holdings Shares Surge After Securing Major Rio Tinto Contract and New Project Wins
Disney Board Nears CEO Decision as Josh D’Amaro Emerges as Leading Candidate 



