The Latest Mega-Partnership, Spotify and Starbucks

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Spotify and Starbucks have just announced their multi-year partnership marking the first time Starbucks has included a third party partner in their rewards program and making the subscription service an additional pillar of their in-store experience. In addition to the mutually beneficial, brand enhancing aspects of this agreement, Spotify Premium subscribers can earn free Starbucks drinks, and Starbucks employees (or “partners” as they are internally called) will have free access to Spotify Premium and even influence their locations’ playlists. Picture this, “Please include your cover letter, relevant experience and coffee shop friendly playlist with your Starbucks employment application.”

Although specifics on the rewards program and some in-store experience details are being withheld at the moment, the agreement will connect 7,000 US Starbucks locations and 60 million Spotify subscribers essentially setting Spotify apart from streaming services like Tidal and offering a more custom experience within different Starbucks locations. Earlier in the year Starbucks announced it would no longer sell CDs in stores although it’s apparent that music will still be an important component in evolving the brand.