Online subscription music service hires a former Amazon executive to increase its global reach and subscriber rolls, following layoffs last month. December 3, 2013 6:00 AM PST (Credit: Rdio) After trimming its staff last month to save money, online subscription music service Rdio Tuesday named Anthony Bay -- a former at Amazon, Microsoft and Apple exec -- as chief executive to succeed longtime CEO Drew Larner, who will become vice chairman and an advisor to the board. The streaming segment is the music industry's area of greatest growth, but it's intensely competitive, and Rdio is going up against rivals that beat it either in global reach, like Spotify; in profitability, like Slacker; or in pure size, like Pandora. Related stories LG's smartphone throws a curve Rdio adds free music stations to its iOS, Android apps Google buys Bump as wireless sharing heats up Rdio to offer free music service as part of Cumulus radio pact Thom Yorke, Atoms for Peace leave music-streaming services Rdio didn't immediately respond to CNET messages asking about the reason for the change in leadership. In a release, Rdio founder Janus Friis said Rdio has accomplished its first goal "to build the best music streaming experience" and now needs to expand its global reach and active, paying subscriber base. "Anthony will also play a critical role in unlocking the value of our global terrestrial radio partnerships," he said. In September, Rdio said it was launching free, ad-supported music service as part of a partnership with radio station operator Cumulus. The deal was meant to make Rdio more competitive with the likes of Spotify, Pandora and iTunes Radio by giving it broader access to the terrestrial radio giant's programming and promotion across Cumulus' 525 radio stations. In addition to providing content for Rdio users, Cumulus will sell advertising for Rdio's free, ad-supported version. Rdio has charged $5 to $10 a month for access to its music library. Including the Cumulus deal, the leadership switch is the biggest alteration so far in several changes that are morphing Rdio. Last month, Rdio confirmed it was making workforce reductions to improve its cost structure "and ensure a scalable business model for the long term," according to Nada Antoun, the group's director of public relations. Bay is the former head of Amazon's global video business and help numerous roles at Microsoft, including jobs on its e-commerce technology platform and Windows Media Technologies. Prior to joining Microsoft, he spent eight years at Apple, three of those in Europe, where his responsibilities included leading Apple's Online Services.
Online subscription music service hires a former Amazon executive to increase its global reach and subscriber rolls, following layoffs last month.
After trimming its staff last month to save money, online subscription music service Rdio Tuesday named Anthony Bay -- a former at Amazon, Microsoft and Apple exec -- as chief executive to succeed longtime CEO Drew Larner, who will become vice chairman and an advisor to the board.
The streaming segment is the music industry's area of greatest growth, but it's intensely competitive, and Rdio is going up against rivals that beat it either in global reach, like Spotify; in profitability, like Slacker; or in pure size, like Pandora.
Related stories
- LG's smartphone throws a curve
- Rdio adds free music stations to its iOS, Android apps
- Google buys Bump as wireless sharing heats up
- Rdio to offer free music service as part of Cumulus radio pact
- Thom Yorke, Atoms for Peace leave music-streaming services
Rdio didn't immediately respond to CNET messages asking about the reason for the change in leadership. In a release, Rdio founder Janus Friis said Rdio has accomplished its first goal "to build the best music streaming experience" and now needs to expand its global reach and active, paying subscriber base.
"Anthony will also play a critical role in unlocking the value of our global terrestrial radio partnerships," he said.
In September, Rdio said it was launching free, ad-supported music service as part of a partnership with radio station operator Cumulus.
The deal was meant to make Rdio more competitive with the likes of Spotify, Pandora and iTunes Radio by giving it broader access to the terrestrial radio giant's programming and promotion across Cumulus' 525 radio stations. In addition to providing content for Rdio users, Cumulus will sell advertising for Rdio's free, ad-supported version. Rdio has charged $5 to $10 a month for access to its music library.
Including the Cumulus deal, the leadership switch is the biggest alteration so far in several changes that are morphing Rdio. Last month, Rdio confirmed it was making workforce reductions to improve its cost structure "and ensure a scalable business model for the long term," according to Nada Antoun, the group's director of public relations.
Bay is the former head of Amazon's global video business and help numerous roles at Microsoft, including jobs on its e-commerce technology platform and Windows Media Technologies. Prior to joining Microsoft, he spent eight years at Apple, three of those in Europe, where his responsibilities included leading Apple's Online Services.
