News September 30, 2020

Spotify appoints new local MD, Mikaela Lancaster

Editorial Operations Manager

Spotify has a new managing director for Australia and New Zealand.

Mikaela Lancaster quietly started in the role back in July following a period of high turnover for the business.

The previous local MD, Karen Lawson, left earlier this year after less than a year in the role. She replaced Jane Huxley, who had been in the top job for just shy of 18 months.

This year Spotify also lost its comms boss, Sophie Paterson, who moved to Sony Music. She was replaced by Melissa Circosta.

Lancaster has been based in Asia, most recently as global marketing director of streaming video on demand service iflix. The SVOD service boasts over 25 million active users across countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka.

Lancaster has returned to Australian shores (Picture source: LinkedIn)

Prior to her time in Asia, she held roles in Australia including general manager for the Daily Mail, and various roles with ninemsn, the now defunct joint venture between Microsoft and Nine. She was head of Windows Live, director of Microsoft Products, and director of strategic partnerships and special platforms throughout her time with the business.

Spotify has not made an official announcement about the appointment, and told The Music Network it does not comment on staff appointments.