Spotify’s former Managing Director UK & Eire, Tom Connaughton, has joined UK-based Unbiased “boutique” distributor Canvas Music.
Connaughton joins with quick impact as Associate and Senior Advisor alongside Canvas Music’s Founder and Chief Govt, Richard Lyne.
Launched in 2020, Canvas Music Distribution is an impartial boutique distributor centered on what it calls “selective and customized distribution and label companies”.
Information of Connaughton’s appointment on the firm coincides with Canvas signing a long-term three way partnership with US-based Symphonic Distribution.
“Wealthy has already constructed a robust, inventive, and numerous roster of artists and with Tom now a part of the staff, this can be a actually thrilling subsequent step.”
Jorge Brea, Symphonic
“Wealthy and Canvas are instrumental for Symphonic within the UK and we’re excited to proceed and increase this relationship,” stated Jorge Brea, Symphonic Distribution’s CEO.
“Wealthy has already constructed a robust, inventive, and numerous roster of artists and with Tom now a part of the staff, this can be a actually thrilling subsequent step.”
Tom Connaughton exited his function at Spotify in December 2023 after practically six years on the music streaming platform.
The exec moved over to Spotify from his New York-based function as Vevo’s SVP of Inventive Content material & Programming.
He was promoted to MD at Spotify for the UK in July 2018.
“Wealthy has been quietly constructing a powerful firm over the previous few years, and I’ve seen how distribution has change into one of the vital thrilling items of the brand new music trade.”
Tom Connaughton
Asserting the brand new function, Tom Connaughton stated: “I’m delighted to be approaching board as a Associate and Senior Advisor to Canvas Music. Wealthy has been quietly constructing a powerful firm over the previous few years, and I’ve seen how distribution has change into one of the vital thrilling items of the brand new music trade.
“All through my profession, I’ve at all times been captivated with bridging the hole between artists, know-how, and audiences. The chance that Canvas presents to do that in a good, artist-centered means actually resonates with me. I can’t wait to get going.”
“With Tom’s affect we are able to proceed our goal of offering one of the best boutique distribution for our shoppers. I couldn’t be extra happy to have him work alongside me.”
Richard Lyne
Richard Lyne added: “It’s an absolute honour to welcome Tom to the staff. He’s a world-class government who will convey a stage of data and expertise to the corporate that we might solely have dreamt of after we launched.
“With Tom’s affect we are able to proceed our goal of offering one of the best boutique distribution for our shoppers. I couldn’t be extra happy to have him work alongside me.”
Added Lyne: “In a crowded market, it’s time to do distribution otherwise. The goal for us is to offer an awesome service with an awesome product however with extra focus and fewer quantity. Tom is precisely the type of individual we have to assist us develop and obtain these objectives.
“We’re additionally delighted to proceed our long-term three way partnership with Symphonic Distribution. Having a US associate of their caliber is a big alternative and supplies us with stage of entry into the US market that’s invaluable for our UK & worldwide shoppers.
“Jorge and his staff have been the right companions. They’re one of the best within the sport, and we couldn’t be extra thrilled to decide to a longer-term relationship.”Music Enterprise Worldwide
