Longtime iTunes partner Starbucks today announced a brand new music partnership with music streaming service Spotify. Starbucks members will have access to in-store music within the Starbucks app powered by Spotify, and Spotify users will have opportunities to gain Starbucks rewards points.

starbucksspotify

“We plan on building one of the most robust digital ecosystems of any retailer in the world. Given the evolution of the music industry and the proliferation of streaming technology, it was natural that we would partner with Spotify in offering our customers a new way to engage with their favorite music,” added Kevin Johnson, president and coo of Starbucks.

The coffee company's 150,000 U.S.-based employees will receive a free Spotify Premium subscription and will be able to use Spotify to influence in-store playlists. Those playlists will then be available to stream within the Starbucks app. Spotify users will also be able to gain rewards points for the Starbucks app and will be able to listen to the in-store playlists within the Spotify apps.

It's unclear whether Starbucks will continue its music partnership with Apple's iTunes. The two companies first established a partnership in 2007, allowing iPod users to figure out what was playing in Starbucks stores. Later, the coffee company began giving away free iTunes songs, which can still be accessed within the Starbucks mobile app. In 2011, Starbucks and Apple extended their partnership to the App Store. More recently, the two companies began teaming up for (Product) Red iTunes / Starbucks gift card combinations.

The new partnership will roll out to the U.S. later this year, with Canada and the United Kingdom to follow thereafter.

Top Rated Comments

cn1dlm Avatar
129 months ago
I'm okay with the iTunes/Starbucks Partnership going away. I honestly can't think of a time when I actually enjoyed the little free iTunes songs or apps they provide and give away at Starbucks. Usually from some unknown artist or developer. After trying it, it would often delete it after upon discovering it was just bloatware or junk.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Michael Scrip Avatar
129 months ago


Spotify is such a force right now.

Are they really?

Spotify has 60 million users (including 15 million who pay for the service)

Yet there are potentially billions of people who listen to music.

Streaming is supposed to be the future... but it doesn't look like many people are doing it.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mums Avatar
129 months ago
When is Starbucks going to have its "Supersize Me" moment? Time for Morgan Spurlock to go up against Starbucks. Does anybody else think Starbucks STINKS of the foulest old coffee and vomitous dairy smells?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jimrod Avatar
129 months ago
"A way to engage with their music"... No Starbucks, I don't engage with my music, I listen to it.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
whsbuss Avatar
129 months ago
And in a few years Starbucks will partner with someone else...... show me the $$$
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Narrator Jack Avatar
129 months ago
Streaming coffee, how did they do it?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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