Latest news with #MarkAbouJaoude
Gulf Business
3 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Business
Spotify's Mark Abou Jaoude on shaping culture and championing regional talent
Image: Gulf Business In a region pulsing with cultural energy and creative momentum, Mark Abou Jaoude is one of the most influential forces shaping the future of music. By day, he leads Spotify's music strategy as Head of Music for MENAP and it's his deep love for the culture that fuels everything he does. With over a decade in the industry, Abou Jaoude's approach is grounded in cultural insight, strategic intuition, and a constant push to break boundaries. 'Being exceptional means creating innovative, authentic, and impactful moves that resonate deeply with artists, fans, and communities,' he shares. His career has been shaped by bold decisions and a deep ear for sounds bubbling just beneath the mainstream a reflection of his ability to spot cultural shifts before they emerge. Abou Jaoude's process blends instinct with experience. He immerses himself in the region's grassroots music scenes, stays connected to youth culture, and has a keen understanding of evolving tastes. Yet his vision extends beyond trends. His mission is to help contribute to a more connected, sustainable music ecosystem across the region. 'Music across the region is evolving and growing quickly, with more people discovering and sharing sounds than ever before,' he says. 'But with that momentum comes a responsibility to build stronger support systems, invest in education, and create pathways that help artists grow long-term.' Abou Jaoude's passion for music remains the driving force behind his creativity, and leadership style. My curiosity about music has really inspired my leadership style,' he shares. It's that curiosity that pushes him to keep learning, seek out working with passionate people, and stay grounded in a mindset of growth and discovery. 'I don't mind getting messy or making mistakes. That's where growth happens,' he says. It's no surprise, that a vehicle like the But the QX80 offers more than just exceptional audio. From its refined interior and intuitive technology to its spacious design, the entire experience aligns with how Abou Jaoude moves through the world. 'It's built with attention to detail, comfortable, thoughtful, and powerful. Whether I'm heading to a strategy session or simply taking a moment to reset, it gives me the space to think and the sound to feel.' As a creative leader at the intersection of culture, innovation, and technology, Abou Jaoude sees a strong alignment between INFINITI's values—human, daring, and forward and the qualities today's creatives need to thrive. 'Staying true to yourself, being brave enough to try something new, and always looking ahead that's what defines both creative impact and strong leadership.' His advice to future industry leaders is direct and empowering: 'Know what you want to achieve. All you need is clarity, consistency, and the courage to take risks.' For Abou Jaoude, success is as much about mindset as it is about talent. He champions a balance between vision and execution, always staying grounded in purpose and committed to work that's both creatively and culturally meaningful. Abou Jaoude continues to drive the region's music industry forward, not by following formulas, but by listening deeply, acting boldly, and always staying in tune with what's possible.
Arab News
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Majority of listeners tune in to Spotify during Ramadan's pre-dawn hours
DUBAI: Streaming and content consumption habits change as audiences adjust to different routines during Ramadan, according to new data from Spotify. This year saw a return of the streaming platform's Ramadan Hub, with a specially curated selection of playlists, music and podcasts. Based on an analysis of customers' streaming habits during the first two weeks of Ramadan, Spotify found the majority of Saudi listeners tune in at around 3 a.m. Spiritual, peaceful and relaxing audio is the most popular choice, with listenership of such playlists increasing by more than 3,000 percent. 'With the Ramadan Hub, Spotify continues to be a companion for every moment of the holy month,' Mark Abou Jaoude, the platform's head of music for the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan told Arab News. The playlist with the highest increase in listeners (3,750 percent) was 'Duaa,' which features prayers and supplications. Similarly, 'Ramadaniyat,' which features traditional Islamic songs, saw a streaming rise of almost 1,890 percent. Users' love of TV dramas is reflected in their streaming habits with the 'Titrat Ramadan' playlist recording a 2,900 percent increase in streams. This features songs that appear in popular shows at this time, known as 'titrat' and traditionally sung by Arab pop stars. Another playlist gaining popularity is 'Cooking Time,' which saw the number of streams increase by 743 percent. This serves as a cooking companion and features songs such as Nancy Ajram's 'Aam Betaala' Feek,' Marwan Khoury's 'Kel El Qasayed' and Amr Diab's 'El Kalam Leek.' 'Over the past two years, local podcast listening hours have increased by nearly 90 percent (on Spotify),' Abou Jaoude said. Spotify has also seen significant increases in the popularity of local podcasts such as 'Finjan with Abdul Rahman Abu Maleh' and 'Sawalif Business.' Users are also listening to lighter entertainment content, such as 'Kanabat al-Sabt,' 'Saturday Couch' and the 'Abjoorah Podcast,' as well as religious shows like the 'Omam Podcast,' which puts a modern spin on the stories of prophets. 'These shifting listening habits reflect the growing trend of audio in setting the atmosphere for these shared experiences during the month,' said Abou Jade. 'It's great to see how our Saudi listeners use Spotify to enrich their Ramadan journey and deepen their connections during this meaningful time.'
