(Nashville, Tenn. – April 1, 2021) John Marks has stepped down from his role as Global Head of Country Programming at Spotify, USA, effective March 31, 2021.
Marks joined Spotify in September of 2015 as one of only two Nashville Spotify employees covering the Country market. Since joining the company, Marks has been instrumental in growing the music streaming platform’s Hot Country brand, championing new artists, and establishing Spotify’s footprint in Nashville. He’s been an integral figure in building Spotify’s reputation as a global symbol for music consumption and discovery and a driver of country music culture; culminating 6 million followers and 5 billion streams as of 4th Quarter 2020.
“This is the result of a mutual agreement between Spotify and me,” states Marks. “It has been a privilege to work at Spotify since the beginning of its Nashville journey. But I am also excited about what adventures might lie ahead. I’m grateful for the relationships I’ve cultivated worldwide during my time at Spotify, and I will carry those with me as I continue with my career. I want to thank Spotify’s editorial team for the work that we have accomplished both in the United States and internationally.”
Marks spent most of his career in terrestrial radio and moved to Nashville in 2010 after seven years at KSON in San Diego. Marks was Head of Country Music Programming for SiriusXM Radio Inc., where he brought The Highway and the Country music platform to prominence during his 5-year tenure, bringing artists like Florida Georgia Line, Old Dominion, Kelsea Ballerini, Chase Rice, and Russell Dickerson into national prominence.
Marks has served on the Board of Directors of the Country Music Association (CMA) since 2012, and served on the Board of Directors for the Academy of Country Music (ACM) between 2018 – 2019. He is also the recipient of the 2018 Jo Walker-Meador International Award from the Country Music Association and the 2018 International Services to the Industry Award from the British Country Music Association.
Marks can be reached at johnmarks615@gmail.com.
