by Tech Talk | Jan 24, 2023 | Articles
Spotify is planning layoffs as soon as this week, according to people familiar with the plans.
Spotify Technology is planning layoffs as soon as this week, according to people familiar with the plans, joining a slew of technology companies from Amazon.com to Meta Platforms in announcing job cuts to lower costs.
The number of positions to be eliminated wasn’t specified by the people. Spotify laid off 38 staff from its Gimlet Media and Parcast podcast studios in October. The music streaming giant has about 9 800 employees, according to its third-quarter earnings report.
Tech companies added to their headcounts during the pandemic but were forced to make reductions in response to reduced advertising revenue and a shaky economic outlook. Amazon, Meta and Microsoft were among the biggest companies to announce staff reductions recently, while Google parent Alphabet said Friday it will cut about 12 000 jobs, more than 6% of its global workforce.
A Spotify spokesman declined to comment on the upcoming cuts.
Editor@tech-talk.co.za
by Tech Talk | Oct 26, 2022 | Articles
Spotify has announced the Africa Podcast Fund, which will see four South African podcasts get a cut of $100,000 (R1.85 million) in funding.
The South African podcasts that will receive funding are After School is After School with Sis G.U, The Journey Kwantu, Wisdom & Wellness with Mpoomy Ledwaba, and Convos & Cocktails with Lesego Tlhabi.
Spotify said the Africa Podcast Fund aims to bolster podcast creator careers through financial grants, workshops, and networking opportunities.
“The Africa Podcast Fund is offered to select creators from African countries with the biggest podcast listenerships, namely South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana,” it said.
“The grant also includes a Cameroonian podcast with large listenerships both in France and in Francophone African countries, such as Cote d’Ivoire.”
Spotify explained that the winning podcasts are recorded in various languages, including Pidgin, English, French, Sheng, Ga, and Twi, and Kenya-based Africa Podfest will administer the funds.
“Africa Podfest is excited about the development of podcasting in Africa, particularly because the medium allows underrepresented African voices to tell the story of Africa,” Africa Podfest co-director Melissa Mbugua said.
Brief descriptions of South Africa’s winning podcasts are provided below.
- After School is After School with Sis G.U — Hosted by Gugulethu Nyatumba, the podcast aims to speak openly and honestly about the battles that Gugulethu continues to face in her 20s.
- The Journey Kwantu — Vusumuzi Ngxande explores and questions matters around African spirituality and identity.
- Wisdom & Wellness with Mpoomy Ledwaba — Mpoomy Ledwaba aims to foster connections with her guests and inspire her audience through conversations that touch on life lessons and individual journeys.
- Convos & Cocktails with Lesego Tlhabi — Hosted by South African satirist Lesego Tlhabi, the podcast focuses on conversations that “we, as black women, want to have… but often don’t”.
Nine shows from elsewhere on the continent have also received a portion of the fund.
These include four podcasts from Kenya, three from Nigeria, and one each from Cameroon and Ghana.
Editor@tech-talk.co.za
