Changes afoot at the streaming site’s parent company.
Business Insider reports (via Swedish news site Breakit) that Aspiro CEO Andy Chen has left the company. Aspiro, the parent company of TIDAL, is the company Jay Z acquired last month.
TIDAL has confirmed that Chen will be replaced by former CEO Peter Tonstad, but dismissed reports that staff members had been dismissed as “incorrect,” describing the changes as “streamlining.”
“[Tonstad] has a better understanding of the industry and a clear vision for how the company is looking to change the status quo,” the company said in a statement. “He’s streamlining resources to ensure talent is maximized to enhance the customer experience.”
The statement continues: “We’ve eliminated a handful of positions and refocused our company-wide talent to address departments that need support and cut redundancies. TIDAL’s offices globally will remain and grow: we are already hirinig for several new positions now. We’re excited about our future and what’s in-store for fans who want the best listening experience.”
“I believe in TIDAL and what the team is doing to affect the change the music industry needs,” Tonstad tells Breakit. “We’re streamlining the company and refocusing our resources to ensure the platform continues to grow, and listeners can make a connection to their favorite artists. No one else is doing this.”
On the user level, TIDAL is currently pushing back on several fronts: the company has teamed with playlist-transfer company Soundiiz, highlighted rising artists and reportedly had Jay Z and Jack White personally call and thank subscribers.