Barack and Michelle Obama sign podcast deal with Spotify
The Obamas will produce podcasts that "amplify voices that are too often ignored or silenced."
- I've been covering technology and mobile for 12 years, first as a telecommunications reporter and assistant editor at ZDNet in Australia, then as CNET's West Coast head of breaking news, and now in the Thought Leadership team.
"We've always believed in the value of entertaining, thought-provoking conversation," says Barack Obama.
Spotify said Thursday that it's partnering with Barack and Michelle Obama's production company, Higher Ground, to produce exclusive podcasts.
The former US president and first lady will develop, produce and voice podcasts across "wide-ranging topics." Michelle Obama said the podcasts will provide "the opportunity to amplify voices that are too often ignored or silenced altogether."
"Through Spotify, we can share those stories with the world," she added.
The Obamas expanded their production company, originally formed to produce content with Netflix, to include Higher Ground Audio for the multiyear deal.
"We've always believed in the value of entertaining, thought-provoking conversation," Barack Obama said. "We're excited about Higher Ground Audio because podcasts offer an extraordinary opportunity to foster productive dialogue, make people smile and make people think and, hopefully, bring us all a little closer together."
Spotify said it now has over 100 million premium subscribers, and 217 million monthly active users across the globe.
