Spotify’s former UK and Ireland managing director Tom Connaughton has joined UK independent “boutique” publisher Canvas Music.
Connaughton joins immediately as a partner and senior advisor alongside Canvas Music founder and CEO Richard Lyne.
Launched in 2020, Canvas Music Distribution is an independent boutique distributor specializing in what it calls “selective and personalized distribution and label services.”
News of Connaughton’s appointment to the company comes as Canvas has signed a long-term joint venture agreement with US-based Symphonic Distribution.
“Rich has built a strong, creative, and diverse roster of artists, and now that Tom has joined the team, this is a really exciting next step.”
Jorge Brea, Symphony
“Rich and Canvas have been instrumental to Symphonic’s presence in the UK and we are delighted to continue and expand this relationship,” said Jorge Brea, CEO of Symphonic Distribution.
“Rich has built a strong, creative, and diverse roster of artists, and now that Tom has joined the team, this is a really exciting next step.”
Tom Connaughton resigned from Spotify in December 2023 after nearly six years at the music streaming platform.
Connaughton joined Spotify in April 2018 as head of UK artist and label marketing after seven years at Vevo.
The executive moved to Spotify from his position as senior vice president of creative content and programming at Vevo in New York.
He was promoted to General Manager of Spotify UK in July 2018.
“Rich has been quietly building an impressive company over the past few years, and I’ve seen how distribution has become one of the most exciting parts of the new music industry.”
Tom Connaughton
Announcing the new role, Tom Connaughton said: “I am delighted to be joining Canvas Music as Partner and Senior Advisor. Over the past few years, Rich has been quietly building an impressive company, I’ve also seen how distribution can become one of the most exciting parts of the new music industry.
“Throughout my career, I have been passionate about bridging the gap between artists, technology, and audiences. The opportunity Canvas provides to do this in an equitable, artist-centered way really resonates with me. I have Can’t wait to get going.
“With Tom’s influence, we can continue to achieve our goal of providing the best boutique distribution to our customers. I’m very excited to have him working with me.”
Richard Lane
Richard Lane added: “It is an honor to welcome Tom to the team. He is a world-class executive who will bring knowledge and experience to the company that we could only dream of when we were founded.
“With Tom’s influence, we can continue to achieve our goal of providing the best boutique distribution to our customers. I’m very excited to have him working with me.”
Lyne added: “In a crowded market, it’s time to take a different approach to distribution. Our aim is to deliver a great service through a great product, but with more focus and less volume. Tom is exactly what we need to help us People who grow and achieve those goals.
“We are also delighted to continue our long-term joint venture with Symphonic Distribution. Having such a great US partner is a huge opportunity and provides us with access to the US market which is unparalleled for our UK and international customers. price.
“Jorge and his team are the perfect partner. They are the best in the industry and we are very excited to enter into a long-term relationship.global music business
